Why did the Royal Navy prefer four turrets rather than accept three triple mounts?
Short answerMore turrets reduced the proportion of firepower lost to a single hit and kept damaged ships viable on distant stations.
NotesLosing one of three turrets removes a third of a ship's main battery, while losing one of four removes a quarter. Four mounts also force an opponent to disable more separate armored positions before silencing the ship. This preference shaped British cruiser layouts even when three triple turrets could provide one more gun overall. It also reflected a need for damaged ships to remain useful during long deployments far from major repair yards.