Q&A · 1:01:25-1:01:43

Why triple 4-inch turrets did not spread

Triple 4-inch turrets offered concentrated secondary fire, but their weight and maintenance complexity limited wider adoption.

Question

Why did the Royal Navy not continue using triple 4-inch turrets after Courageous and Glorious?

Short answer

They worked reasonably well, but they were heavy and complicated to maintain.

Notes

The Royal Navy's triple 4-inch mountings offered a promising concentration of guns for the period. Their drawback was the combination of high weight and mechanical complexity. Keeping the mounts operational demanded substantial maintenance. A superficially efficient armament therefore became less attractive for new ships.