A CSA Heavy Cruiser

[Guinness]

IIRC Norfolk and Charleston are type 4 bases now, with type 3 slips or drydocks. Expanding one of those DDs from type 3 to type 4 would cost $6 and 1 BP so that's not insurmountable, and can be done in 6 months.

[TexanCowboy]

The problem is that the CSA can't make true battlecruisers because the largest slips are only level 3. Large heavy cruisers are kind of the only choice, and given that they are short and have to work hard to get a high speed a reduction in engine weight is pretty much required.

Nope. I expanded a Charleston drydock to a Type 4 when I was in command.

[Logi]

The problem is that the CSA can't make true battlecruisers because the largest slips are only level 3. Large heavy cruisers are kind of the only choice, and given that they are short and have to work hard to get a high speed a reduction in engine weight is pretty much required.

I've designed battlecruisers with only 721 ft length so it's quite possible.