Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:08:07-2:08:37

Why a 16-inch-gun landing ship would breach treaty logic

Treaty definitions constrained the hulls that could mount 16-inch guns because an amphibious label could otherwise become an easy route to extra capital-ship weapons.

16-inch GunsCapital ShipsLanding ShipsNaval Arms ControlWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

Could the United States have built treaty-era landing ships with two triple 16-inch turrets?

Short answer

No under the historical rules, and any exemption would prompt other navies to exploit the same route to more 16-inch guns.

Notes

The proposed landing ship carries two triple 16-inch turrets. Under the historical treaty, that arrangement would be barred by limits on vessels carrying 16-inch guns. If an exemption existed, other navies would use it to obtain additional heavy batteries. The alternate premise therefore opens a route to more 16-inch weapons that several powers would exploit.