The planned 12-inch guns were behind schedule, holding up three ships in the 1892 programme. The Admiralty therefore selected an improved Centurion-class design that could keep Pembroke Dockyard's workforce employed. Fisher and Director of Naval Intelligence Cyprian Bridge supported the resulting smaller ship and its more closely matched 10-inch and quick-firing 6-inch batteries. The decision had to reconcile available weapons, dockyard employment, and an emerging requirement for a fast overseas flagship.
Notable Point · 1:00-2:41
How delayed 12-inch guns reshaped Renown
A delayed heavy-gun programme and the need to sustain work at Pembroke Dockyard turned an improved Centurion design into Renown.