Orange Frigates

[P3D]

1914 Cutting Edge (+3): High angle artillery (40-80mm) = 15,000 feet

Unless I missed a wormhole somewhere, you can't put 76mm AA on her anyway, at least not until 1915 w/ one really lucky roll.

Standard 3" on HA mount - referred as  high angle anti-balloon guns in the tech description.

[Sachmle]

The tech description, which granted you probably know better then me since you wrote it, says

Anti-aircraft gun and altitudes
Baseline (0): High angle anti-ballon guns or machine guns (up to 1 pounders) = 1,000 feet - starting point for everyone.
High-angle anti-balloon guns are perfect for that role.
1908 Advanced (+1): High angle anti-air guns (20-40mm) = 5,000 feet
1914 Cutting Edge (+3): High angle artillery (40-80mm) = 15,000 feet
1925 Futuristic (+5): High altitude artillery (80mm+) = 30,000 feet

So, if one had 1908 tech, one could have a 40mm High angle anti-air gun. But as YOUR tech list states that you only have the Baseline tech, you would, I presume, be limited to High angle guns of 1lbs shell weight or less, which is a 32mm gun by SS.

[Korpen]

1914 Cutting Edge (+3): High angle artillery (40-80mm) = 15,000 feet

Unless I missed a wormhole somewhere, you can't put 76mm AA on her anyway, at least not until 1915 w/ one really lucky roll.

Think one can safely ignore the part about calibre in the AA descriptions.
Why: Because pointing a gun to the sky is very easy, and is something that can be done in hours by skilled craftsmen, or a few day at most if one is talking about a purpose-built cradle in factory environment. As was done IRL during ww1.
But that only gives you a gun that can fire at very high elevation, the AA tech is about actually making the gun do something useful, like hitting a target. The problems when AA was new was never getting guns to fire a high elevation, the problems lay in ammunition (such as the functioning of fuses at trajectories they were not designed for, and a complete lack of tracers) and fire control. Without the higher AA tech there should not really be any real fire control for AA service, so in effect zero hit probability against things faster then a balloon, or a slow airship.

Size of the gun is really irrelevant, as the difference between a hit from a 75 or 3 cm shell on an aircraft of the age is acedemic at best.

[P3D]

You want to hit a balloon/zeppelins of a few 1000m2 target area not a few m2 for a plane. For the latter, I have machineguns.

Anyways, heavy (3"+) dedicated AA guns are unnecessary (and suboptimal) against planes unless there are high-altitude bombers around.

[Sachmle]

Korpen: I tend to agree about the uselessness of AA at this point.

P3D: If that was the intention of the rules, one should word it that way.

Both: Honestly, I could care less which is right, just so long as it's clear to all.

[P3D]

According to the new rules, only armor and armament weight less than 2% of displacement qualifies for merchant standard builds.
As smaller ships do not have the endurance, 1000t was determined to be the displacement for a long-range patrol sloop. 6" gun to frighten off larger ships (any smaller caliber would cause minimal damage to large merchants), 3" against anything smaller. Add two older type torpedoes for further deterrence. Misc weight includes one large and two steam launches, plus hoists. Minelaying equipment if necessary, W/T etc.


Patrol Ship laid down 1912

Displacement:
   999 t light; 1,037 t standard; 1,284 t normal; 1,482 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   229.00 ft / 229.00 ft x 32.00 ft x 10.00 ft (normal load)
   69.80 m / 69.80 m x 9.75 m  x 3.05 m

Armament:
      1 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading gun in a deck mount with hoist
     on centreline aft
      2 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, 1 raised mount
      2 - 0.39" / 10.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.03lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
   Weight of broadside 135 lbs / 61 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150
   2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Electric motors, 1 shaft, 5,861 shp / 4,372 Kw = 20.00 kts
   Range 5,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 445 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   106 - 139

Cost:
   £0.085 million / $0.341 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 17 tons, 1.3 %
   Machinery: 257 tons, 20.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 494 tons, 38.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 285 tons, 22.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 231 tons, 18.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     1,930 lbs / 875 Kg = 17.9 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 0.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
   Metacentric height 1.1 ft / 0.3 m
   Roll period: 12.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 74 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.38
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.86

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.613
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.16 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 15.13 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 63 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 40
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Mid (40 %):      20.00 ft / 6.10 m (12.00 ft / 3.66 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Stern:      12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Average freeboard:   15.20 ft / 4.63 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 95.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 112.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 5,319 Square feet or 494 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 146 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 47 lbs/sq ft or 229 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.83
      - Longitudinal: 6.13
      - Overall: 1.01
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[P3D]

A smaller merchant standard patrol boat. A small steam launch, Wireless, extra stores.

Small patrol boat laid down 1912

Displacement:
   400 t light; 413 t standard; 531 t normal; 625 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   180.00 ft / 180.00 ft x 25.00 ft x 8.00 ft (normal load)
   54.86 m / 54.86 m x 7.62 m  x 2.44 m

Armament:
      2 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 - 0.39" / 10.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.03lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
   Weight of broadside 27 lbs / 12 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150
   2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Electric motors, 1 shaft, 2,326 shp / 1,735 Kw = 18.00 kts
   Range 4,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 212 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   54 - 71

Cost:
   £0.031 million / $0.124 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 3 tons, 0.6 %
   Machinery: 102 tons, 19.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 221 tons, 41.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 131 tons, 24.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 73 tons, 13.7 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     991 lbs / 449 Kg = 9.2 x 6 " / 152 mm shells or 0.6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.03
   Metacentric height 0.7 ft / 0.2 m
   Roll period: 12.9 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 100 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.13
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.516
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.20 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 13.42 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      18.00 ft / 5.49 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   18.00 ft / 5.49 m
      - Mid (45 %):      18.00 ft / 5.49 m (10.00 ft / 3.05 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Stern:      10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Average freeboard:   13.60 ft / 4.15 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 83.0 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 93.9 %
   Waterplane Area: 2,934 Square feet or 273 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 175 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 32 lbs/sq ft or 154 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.77
      - Longitudinal: 9.93
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[P3D]

I am revisiting the cheap workhorse cruiser option, just with twin mounts. Orange has 8+2 modern, 6 4" armed and 5 old light/protected frigates (cruisers). The battlefleet should be adequately covered, but the 4th fleet, tasked with commerce protection and raiding, have to do with 4 armored cruisers (however great they are) and the 5 old protected cruisers.
This one assumes the 1910 cruiser tech. 2 Twins with one single mounts superfiring fore and aft. This has the perceived advantage of that even if power training of the mounts breaks down for whatever reason, the single mounts would keep working just as fine.
A SS2 quirk is that 2x2+2x1 mounts cost like 40t more (in extra misc weight) than 6 guns in 4 mounts.
29kts would cost me 1000t+ and jump a dock category. I can cut the belt down to 3" and still get some protection against 6" shells, saving me 150t.
Opinions (esp. on the belt)?

Orange Workhorse Frigate laid down 1914 (Engine 1912)

Displacement:
   3,650 t light; 3,819 t standard; 4,239 t normal; 4,575 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   389.10 ft / 387.00 ft x 43.00 ft x 18.00 ft (normal load)
   118.60 m / 117.96 m x 13.11 m  x 5.49 m

Armament:
      4 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (2x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 0.36" / 9.2 mm guns in single mounts, 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns in single mounts, 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 704 lbs / 319 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 200
   8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4.00" / 102 mm   284.00 ft / 86.56 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 113 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm
   2nd:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm

   - Armour deck: 1.00" / 25 mm, Conning tower: 4.00" / 102 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 30,235 shp / 22,555 Kw = 27.00 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 756 tons

Complement:
   262 - 341

Cost:
   £0.370 million / $1.482 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 88 tons, 2.1 %
   Armour: 713 tons, 16.8 %
      - Belts: 468 tons, 11.0 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 19 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 204 tons, 4.8 %
      - Conning Tower: 23 tons, 0.5 %
   Machinery: 1,206 tons, 28.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,503 tons, 35.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 589 tons, 13.9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 140 tons, 3.3 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3,714 lbs / 1,685 Kg = 34.4 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 0.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 1.7 ft / 0.5 m
   Roll period: 13.9 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.58
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.21

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.495
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.67 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 58
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      24.00 ft / 7.32 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Mid (40 %):      20.00 ft / 6.10 m (13.00 ft / 3.96 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13.00 ft / 3.96 m
      - Stern:      13.00 ft / 3.96 m
      - Average freeboard:   16.12 ft / 4.91 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 112.7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 81.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 11,040 Square feet or 1,026 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 75 lbs/sq ft or 364 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.90
      - Longitudinal: 2.47
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is cramped
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[Borys]

3" belt is absolutely adequate.

Borys

[P3D]

Now 3450t, misc weight is FC, torpedoes and long-range W/T. The only thing I might get rid of is the long-range W/T.
And if I group the guns for optimization I got another 30t.

Orange Budget Frigate laid down 1912

Displacement:
   3,450 t light; 3,614 t standard; 4,021 t normal; 4,346 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   383.10 ft / 381.00 ft x 43.00 ft x 18.00 ft (normal load)
   116.77 m / 116.13 m x 13.11 m  x 5.49 m

Armament:
      4 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (2x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 0.36" / 9.2 mm guns in single mounts, 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns in single mounts, 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 704 lbs / 319 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 200
   8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3.00" / 76 mm   287.00 ft / 87.48 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 116 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm
   2nd:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm

   - Armour deck: 1.00" / 25 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 29,290 shp / 21,850 Kw = 27.00 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 732 tons

Complement:
   252 - 328

Cost:
   £0.358 million / $1.433 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 88 tons, 2.2 %
   Armour: 586 tons, 14.6 %
      - Belts: 353 tons, 8.8 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 19 tons, 0.5 %
      - Armour Deck: 198 tons, 4.9 %
      - Conning Tower: 16 tons, 0.4 %
   Machinery: 1,168 tons, 29.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,460 tons, 36.3 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 571 tons, 14.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 148 tons, 3.7 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3,342 lbs / 1,516 Kg = 30.9 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 0.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 1.7 ft / 0.5 m
   Roll period: 13.9 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.58
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.477
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.86 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.52 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 58
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      24.00 ft / 7.32 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Mid (38 %):      20.00 ft / 6.10 m (13.00 ft / 3.96 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13.00 ft / 3.96 m
      - Stern:      13.00 ft / 3.96 m
      - Average freeboard:   15.98 ft / 4.87 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 115.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 80.1 %
   Waterplane Area: 10,695 Square feet or 994 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 75 lbs/sq ft or 365 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.90
      - Longitudinal: 2.55
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is cramped
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[P3D]

The alternative to the cheap frigates is to build larger ones - I am starting to doubt the wisdom of laying down 27kts light ships in 1915, even in numbers. The following is the ultimate one I could get from the 1912 engine techs - well, I could get one more knot if I really stretched the ship.
Possible alternatives:
12x6", 8300t, 4"/1.5" armor, 31kts, 10000nm@12kts range (SS2 below)
12x6", 9200t, 4"/1.5" armor, 32 kts, 8000nm@12kts range
12x6", 8000t, 4"/1.5" armor, 8000nm@12 (all below 31kts)
10x6", 8000t, 4"/1.5", 10000@12
10x6", 7800t, 4"/1.5", 8000@12
8x6", 7800t, 4"/1.5", 10000@12
8x6", 7500t, 4"/1,5", 8000@12
8x6", 6750t, 3"/1", 8000@12

Orange Frigate LD 1915 (engine 1912)

Displacement:
   8,299 t light; 8,648 t standard; 9,810 t normal; 10,740 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   542.19 ft / 540.00 ft x 58.00 ft x 20.00 ft (normal load)
   165.26 m / 164.59 m x 17.68 m  x 6.10 m

Armament:
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (6x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      4 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 0.36" / 9.2 mm guns in single mounts, 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns in single mounts, 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 1,352 lbs / 613 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 200
   12 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4.00" / 102 mm   421.00 ft / 128.32 m   13.00 ft / 3.96 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 120 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm

   - Armour deck: 1.50" / 38 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 78,852 shp / 58,824 Kw = 31.00 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,092 tons

Complement:
   492 - 640

Cost:
   £0.873 million / $3.490 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 169 tons, 1.7 %
   Armour: 1,564 tons, 15.9 %
      - Belts: 893 tons, 9.1 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 36 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 605 tons, 6.2 %
      - Conning Tower: 30 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 3,144 tons, 32.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,228 tons, 32.9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,511 tons, 15.4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 194 tons, 2.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     8,250 lbs / 3,742 Kg = 76.4 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.27
   Metacentric height 3.4 ft / 1.0 m
   Roll period: 13.2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.34
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.548
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.31 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23.24 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 60
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      25.00 ft / 7.62 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   22.00 ft / 6.71 m
      - Mid (54 %):      22.00 ft / 6.71 m (14.00 ft / 4.27 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   14.00 ft / 4.27 m
      - Stern:      14.00 ft / 4.27 m
      - Average freeboard:   18.56 ft / 5.66 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 119.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 113.1 %
   Waterplane Area: 21,820 Square feet or 2,027 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 93 lbs/sq ft or 456 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.96
      - Longitudinal: 1.35
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

[Borys]

For qyality, build the "twin pyramid":
12x6", 8300t, 4"/1.5" armor, 31kts, 10000nm@12kts range (SS2 below)

For numbers, build the
8x6", 6750t, 3"/1", 8000@12


IMO the added armour thickness will not much (if anything) to the survivability of those boats.
Bots

[P3D]

Italy has 12 slowish and 2 fast cruisers with 8" gun. France has cruisers with 14cm and 16.5cm guns.

[Guinness]

Italy has 12 slowish and 2 fast cruisers with 8" gun. France has cruisers with 14cm and 16.5cm guns.

I think if you build 6750t design in numbers, you could overwhelm most of those through numbers, plus be able to be in more places at once. How fast is the 6750t ship?

[P3D]

I could be at 5 places instead of 4 with the small model. To show the two extremes, the 32kts model"

Orange Cruiser 32kts, laid down 1912

Displacement:
   9,199 t light; 9,563 t standard; 10,600 t normal; 11,430 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   672.19 ft / 670.00 ft x 58.00 ft x 22.00 ft (normal load)
   204.88 m / 204.22 m x 17.68 m  x 6.71 m

Armament:
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (6x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      4 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1912 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 0.36" / 9.2 mm guns in single mounts, 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1912 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns in single mounts, 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1912 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 1,352 lbs / 613 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 200
   12 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4.00" / 102 mm   492.00 ft / 149.96 m   13.00 ft / 3.96 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 113 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.00" / 25 mm   0.50" / 13 mm      1.00" / 25 mm
   3rd:   0.50" / 13 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 1.50" / 38 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 79,925 shp / 59,624 Kw = 32.00 kts
   Range 8,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,867 tons

Complement:
   522 - 679

Cost:
   £0.910 million / $3.640 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 169 tons, 1.6 %
   Armour: 1,780 tons, 16.8 %
      - Belts: 1,032 tons, 9.7 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 37 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 679 tons, 6.4 %
      - Conning Tower: 31 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 3,187 tons, 30.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,833 tons, 36.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,401 tons, 13.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 230 tons, 2.2 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     9,808 lbs / 4,449 Kg = 90.8 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.3 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.28
   Metacentric height 3.5 ft / 1.1 m
   Roll period: 13.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.32
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.434
   Length to Beam Ratio: 11.55 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25.88 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 48 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 54
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      25.00 ft / 7.62 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   22.00 ft / 6.71 m
      - Mid (40 %):      22.00 ft / 6.71 m (14.00 ft / 4.27 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   14.00 ft / 4.27 m
      - Stern:      14.00 ft / 4.27 m
      - Average freeboard:   17.44 ft / 5.32 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 112.8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 115.7 %
   Waterplane Area: 24,475 Square feet or 2,274 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 96 lbs/sq ft or 467 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.99
      - Longitudinal: 1.01
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily