A proposed light battleship grows into a stripped-down assault battleship as the design develops. Armor, bulkheads, torpedo protection, stability, range, and machinery all compete within the displacement limit, so each improvement requires another compromise. Geared turbines save considerable weight, but turbo-electric drive raises cruising speed from 19.2 to 25.6 knots. That sustained mobility is worth more than the weight saving because it makes the ship useful across operational distances. The completed Lion-class concept is meant to be built quickly while retaining enough speed and combat power to become a serious reinforcement.
Chapter · 1:37:07-1:47:21
Turbo-electric drive for a fast assault battleship
A quick light-battleship concept becomes a stripped-down assault battleship whose turbo-electric machinery delivers much higher cruising speed.