These battleships get a lot of criticism in the secondary sources, mostly for light armour. But is that justified.
In their favour.
* Speed
* 7in Krupp hard to beat by shell in 1903
* New style of bow protection
* Completed close to design displacement so most of the armour available to stop shells.
Burt Says
“Designed for the then unusually high speed of 19 knots and handicapped by a displacement limit inadequate to provide this speed without considerable sacrifices to protection, the Duncans could not fail to displease, and were always regarded as an altogether unsatisfactory type, although certainly superior to the Russian Peresviet type in every aspect except fuel stowage. They enjoyed the distinction of being, for some years, among the fastest battleships afloat. They all turned out be fair sea-boats owing to the fine lines incorporated in the hull to assist in securing the high speed without undue increase in shp installation, but as a result suffered from being wet ships because of the lowered freeboard from that of the Canopus, Formidable and Bulwark groups (approx. 6in forward and 15in less aft)“
In their favour.
* Speed
* 7in Krupp hard to beat by shell in 1903
* New style of bow protection
* Completed close to design displacement so most of the armour available to stop shells.
Burt Says
“Designed for the then unusually high speed of 19 knots and handicapped by a displacement limit inadequate to provide this speed without considerable sacrifices to protection, the Duncans could not fail to displease, and were always regarded as an altogether unsatisfactory type, although certainly superior to the Russian Peresviet type in every aspect except fuel stowage. They enjoyed the distinction of being, for some years, among the fastest battleships afloat. They all turned out be fair sea-boats owing to the fine lines incorporated in the hull to assist in securing the high speed without undue increase in shp installation, but as a result suffered from being wet ships because of the lowered freeboard from that of the Canopus, Formidable and Bulwark groups (approx. 6in forward and 15in less aft)“
statistics: Posted by NewGolconda — 11:40 PM - 1 day ago — Replies 5 — Views 118