The common-hull capital ship would have a maximum of six 15-inch guns in this proposal. Its usefulness depends on what Germany intends it to do. Commerce raiding and possible fighting against French or Russian forces provide different requirements from defeating the Royal Navy in a fleet action. The argument favours enough ships to carry out those missions over making each one the most powerful possible battleship. It questions whether the funding and development devoted to a larger individual design would produce better results than more Scharnhorst-type hulls.
Notable Point · 41:29-42:31
Sizing capital ships for raiding and likely opponents
Six 15-inch guns are assessed against trade warfare and possible French or Russian opponents, rather than an assumed decisive battle with Britain.