The historical class already had three shafts and about 31 knots, so the propulsion change does not demand a radically different hull. Its steam-powered cruising range of roughly 6,000 to 7,000 nautical miles compares poorly with the smaller diesel-powered Deutschland class. With more mature engines and the same three-shaft layout, Scharnhorst might retain speed while extending endurance toward 15,000 nautical miles. The number is illustrative rather than a design study, but it shows why Britain would need faster and more widely deployed hunting forces.
Chapter · 50:25-52:07
Scharnhorst as a potentially global-range raider
The three-shaft Scharnhorst class is the point where a diesel conversion could turn an already fast capital ship into a much longer-range strategic problem for Britain.