Q&A · 1:13:17-1:14:12

Fisher and the US Navy react to future ships at Tsushima

Photographs could demonstrate superfiring arrangements, while uncertainty about the ships' range would shape the American reaction.

Question

How would Fisher and the United States Navy react to photographs of future Japanese ships at Tsushima?

Short answer

Fisher would gain new design ideas, while the United States would respond with mounting concern about their layout, range, and Pacific reach.

Notes

In this hypothetical, photographs of later Japanese battleships would give Fisher ideas for capital-ship design and cause some alarm. American observers would at least have evidence that superfiring arrangements worked. The United States was not at war with Japan at Tsushima, and the photographs would not establish how far the ships could sail. Concern would increase if their range proved sufficient to reach American waters.