Who would win between a peak-condition HMS Rodney and USS Missouri at Cape Horn?
Short answerProbably neither decisively; Missouri controls range, but Rodney is difficult to penetrate and can return concentrated fire, leaving a lucky hit to decide the result.
NotesMissouri has the speed to choose the range, while Rodney presents a heavily armored target and can keep all main guns bearing with a narrower profile. The likely result is a draw: remaining in range long enough to penetrate Rodney also gives Rodney time to damage Missouri. An unusually fortunate hit could decide a contest whose design advantages pull in different directions.