Orange Dawn: Conjectural British CA Drake

[FDRLincoln]

Conjectural British "Far East cruiser" Drake, based on expanded Hawkins-class hull. An image of what a British CA might look like in the mid-20s, unencumbered by Washington Treaty restrictions, in the Orange Dawn scenario.

[FDRLincoln]

I think the design posted above may be overgunned for the hull size.

I am going to cut out parts of the secondary batteries, and reduce the ship from 8x9.2 to 6x9.2 main battery. Still effective for commerce raiding and heavy-cruiser duties but not as expensive to build, and a bit less like a small battlecruiser.

[Tankerace]

I think she could maybe hold four sinlge 9.2s, but I don't think she would be beamy enough to handle twin mounts.

[FDRLincoln]

Yes, that is quite possible. How about 4 single 9.2s, and a larger 4 inch battery?

The ship is designed for commerce raiding and "show the flag" roles on distant stations. The 4 inchers would be useful against merchantmen, while the 9.2s provide good punch against any cruisers that show up. The ship would be fast enough to run away from battleships and older battlecruisers.

On the other hand, would 4 single 9.2s provide enough hit probability at long range? Maybe we are findiing out why the nations settled on the 8 inch gun?

[Tankerace]

I think you are right, this is the problems they wrestled with. 4 9.2s would have a considerable punch whilea total broadside would weigh 1,520 pounds. Now Hawkins 6 7.5" broadside (remember 1 gun couldn't fire on either broadside) weighs 1,200 pounds. So such a cruiser, while a less chance to hit, still has a heavier broadside than the preceeding class. Comparitively (using a US 8" Gun since the British don't have one yet) a 6 8" broadside would weigh 1,560 pounds, and an 8 gun broadside 2,080 pounds.

So, using post treaty 8 inch guns (which are actually better in some respects) she can have a County style 2,080 pound broadside.

But, in a logical 9.2" development of the Hawkins, without the treaty, she still gets a broadside increase of 320 pounds.

If she could ship 5 9.2s (maybe lengthening the hull some 30 feet), with 2 forward, 2 rear, 1 in the center, her broadside weight would become 1,900 pounds, only 180 less than a historical County class cruiser, and 3 fewer mounts.

SO my suggestion would be a slightly lengthened Hawkins, with 5 single 9.2"/50s.

[FDRLincoln]

This is what it looks like with a reduced 9.2 battery. I am considering lengthening the hull to add an extra 9.2 as you suggest.

[KingMississippi]

Lengthening the hull would decrease the armor wouldnt it as you have the same mass of armor spread out on a bigger hull. But it would give it a slightly better speed though.

[Tankerace]

Yeah, the new belt would probably be down to about 4.5-4 inches.

[FDRLincoln]

yes, there will be a cascade effect. Longer hull, speed up to, say, 32 knots? But less armor density along the belt of course.

[FDRLincoln]

How about this?

[KingMississippi]

So basically you have a dual 9.2 in the bow and stern and a single 9.2 amidships. Or is there supposed to be 2 turrets each fore and aft.

[Tankerace]

No, 2 Guns in the Bow, single mounts. Num is number of guns, turret is guns per turret. So, 2 and 1 is not a single twin mount, but two guns in single mounts. 4 2 would be two twin mounts.

[FDRLincoln]

Latest version of the conjectural Drake.

I am satisfied with this design, that it is realistic and buildable. What do you guys think?

[Terminus]

Looking very nice. How many are you planning to include?

[FDRLincoln]

Two:

HMS Drake, begins game as Pacific Squadron flagship at Hong Kong.

HMS Blake, arrives as a reinforcement some time in mid 1926, one of the first reinforcements despatched.

According to the alternate history I'm working on, an additional ship of the class, Cochrane, was planned but cancelled due to the expense of the capital ship program. Or, perhaps, she was laid down but completed as an aircraft carrier. . .I haven't decided yet. . .

[KingMississippi]

Ok didnt realize that on the editor. Learn something new everyday.

[steveh11Matrix]

Have you designed her with "Springstyle"? If not, do you have handy things like Length, Beam, Draft, Displacement etc so I can get started?

Steve.

[Terminus]

Isn't it called "SpringSharp"? Weird program, by the way. Seems like it's impossible to design something that the program doesn't characterize as "going to capsize" or "not long enough for that displacement".

[FDRLincoln]

I will springstyle her when I have time.

[Tankerace]

ORIGINAL: FDRLincoln

I will springstyle her when I have time.

Sounds like some sort of Naval enuendo [:D]