How did the hull strength of World War II warships compare with modern naval construction?
Short answerWorld War II framing was denser, but modern alloys can achieve comparable strength unless a design uses exceptionally thin plating to save weight and gain speed.
NotesWorld War II warships generally used denser hull framing than modern ships. Modern alloys can still produce comparable overall strength without copying that exact internal structure. The answer is qualified by noting that ships built with very thin plating in pursuit of speed can show warping and visible frame lines. The comparison separates material capability from the designer's decision about how lightly to build the hull.