Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:58:46-5:01:27

Three España-class dreadnoughts at Havana in 1898

Three later dreadnoughts would overwhelm the American ships in the proposed 1898 encounter, despite the panel's low opinion of the Spanish design.

DreadnoughtsEspaña Class BattleshipsHavanaNaval CounterfactualsSpanish American WarSpanish Navy
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Question

How would three España-class dreadnoughts arriving with crews at Havana in 1898 affect the Spanish-American War?

Short answer

A decisive defeat of the opposing US naval force is expected in this counterfactual because even these limited dreadnoughts greatly exceed the ships available in 1898.

Notes

The counterfactual brings the full three-ship España class to Havana in pristine condition with its crews. The panel expects a decisive defeat of the American ships that face it. Each dreadnought brings multiple 12-inch guns and fire control to a much earlier naval setting. An initial six-gun broadside description is corrected to a technically possible eight through cross-deck fire from the offset wing turrets. Criticism of the class relative to other dreadnoughts is kept separate from its advantage over ships of 1898.