The pre-dreadnought battle distinguishes individual hitting power from total volume of fire. A larger shell can do more damage when it connects, but a battery that sends more rounds toward the target creates more opportunities to hit. A separate 15-inch-versus-14-inch scenario shows how enough of the smaller guns can overcome a calibre disadvantage. Gun count, rate of fire, and shell weight therefore need to be judged together when comparing warships.
Notable Point · 8:42-10:03
Shell weight versus volume of fire
The simulated matchup separates the damage caused by an individual heavy shell from the cumulative effect of firing more rounds.