The Hawkins class remains the likely cruiser benchmark because it was a more capable large light cruiser than the Omaha class. The American completion clause then retains two Colorado-class and three South Dakota-class ships, giving the United States six 16-inch-gun capital ships. Raising the standard displacement ceiling to 40,000 tons makes those South Dakotas treaty-compliant, while revised aggregate tonnages preserve roughly the historical fleet ratios. A 16-inch gun ceiling gives the United States a negotiating win by forcing Britain's planned G3 battlecruisers away from their 16.5-inch weapon. The resulting terms allow every major signatory some construction rather than imposing an abrupt and politically dangerous stop.
Chapter · 54:04-1:00:47
Rewriting the capital-ship limits
The counterfactual treaty raises displacement allowances, retains three South Dakotas, and caps guns at 16 inches to preserve jobs while constraining Britain's G3 design.