A capable 16.5-inch gun might have removed much of the case for pursuing an 18-inch weapon. In this comparison, the larger weapon brings a slower rate of fire, while the smaller heavy gun could deliver more sustained firepower. Weight and frequency of fire matter alongside the diameter of a single shell. Calibre alone does not settle the value of a main battery.
Notable Point · 58:43-59:28
The trade-off between 16.5-inch and 18-inch guns
A 16.5-inch battery may be more attractive than an 18-inch battery when rate of fire and firepower are weighed together.