Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:54:32-1:56:04

American and Italian answers to British 9.2-inch treaty cruisers

A British 9.2-inch cruiser standard would probably draw American and Italian ships toward the same calibre, though each navy would respond through its own design system.

County Class CruisersHeavy CruisersItalian NavyNaval Arms RaceNaval GunsUS Navy
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Question

How might American and Italian cruiser design respond to a British 9.2-inch County-class cruiser?

Short answer

The United States would probably adopt the same calibre, while Italy would work toward its own equivalent more slowly.

Notes

A lightly protected Pensacola with twelve 8-inch guns is treated as a possible American reply, though it would be an awkward one. If 9.2 inches became the treaty limit, the United States would more likely build a 9.2-inch design of its own. Italy would probably answer more slowly with an equivalent cruiser when its industrial program allowed. The exchange shows how a new calibre limit could redirect several navies without producing identical ships.