Why did the Royal Navy never adopt turbo-electric drive on a large scale?
Short answerBritish turbo-electric technology lagged while British geared turbines led, so investment followed the option offering better performance and value.
NotesThe initial explanations emphasise Britain's overseas bases and the weight of turbo-electric machinery. Dr. Clarke challenges these as the original cause: British turbo-electric technology initially lagged behind American work, while British geared turbines offered better performance and value. By the time the electrical technology caught up, the Washington Naval Treaty had made machinery weight a stronger constraint. Generators, motors, switchgear, and heavy copper cabling consumed tonnage that could otherwise support armour, fuel, or weapons. Those later weight penalties outweighed the acknowledged survivability benefits. Brown-Curtis turbines illustrate the strength of British turbine development, with their power density praised as exceptionally long-lived.