Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:46:47-2:48:22

What is a semi-dreadnought?

The Danton class provides a concrete mixed-caliber example of the transitional semi-dreadnought type.

Danton Class BattleshipsNaval GunneryPre-DreadnoughtsSemi DreadnoughtsShip Design
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Question

What exactly is a semi-dreadnought?

Short answer

It is a pre-dreadnought layout with unusually large secondary guns that approach, but do not match, the main battery.

Notes

The explanation begins with the usual pre-dreadnought arrangement of four main guns in two turrets and a large secondary battery. A semi-dreadnought enlarges those secondary guns until they are close to main-battery caliber; the Dantons paired four 30-centimeter guns with twelve 24-centimeter guns. The result delivered a heavy broadside but complicated fire control compared with a true all-big-gun dreadnought.