Tufnell considered additional battleships necessary after comparing Greek and Ottoman naval strength. His 1912 order went to Germany, with 14-inch guns from Bethlehem Steel and an intended speed of 23 knots. British Parsons turbines were originally intended before AEG turbines were selected. The order crossed national rivalries during the Anglo-German naval arms race. Britain had more surplus yard capacity, with Thames Ironworks then going out of business, making a lack of British yard space an unconvincing explanation. One possible British advantage was that a Greek order occupied German shipbuilding capacity while American gun purchases kept that spending outside German armament development.
Notable Point · 17:09-20:08
Tufnell orders a Greek battleship across national rivalries
A British adviser selected German construction and American guns for Greece during the Anglo-German naval arms race.