N4.5 Rules Question/Comment thread

[KWorld]

One thing we might want to consider is having an earlier cut-over for oil firing for small, fast ships.  Historically, the RN had 2 classes of oil-fired destroyers (the Tribals or F-class and HMS Swift) that were laid down in 1905 & 1907.  The RN reverted to coal firing for the 1908-09 class (the Beagle or G-class), but went totally oil-fired after that, which is earlier than the QEs.  The German G169 class large torpedo boats switched from coal-firing to 35-40% oil firing in 1907, and the G101 and B97 class destroyers were totally oil-firing when they were laid down in 1914.  The Russian Novik, laid down in 1910, was 100% oil fired, carrying 418 tons of oil.  The US Paulding's, laid down starting in 1908, were also 100% oil fired.  The Italian navy switched to oil with the Soldati type 2nd group, which was laid down in 1905.  The French switched with the second ship of the Chasseur class, Janissaire, which was laid down in 1908.

[KWorld]

What I find interesting about this is that the various navies went to oil firing for their destroyers or torpedo boats substantially before they did so for capital ships: the first RN DDs with oil firing predate HMS Queen Elizabeth by 7 years, the first US DD with oil firing predates USS Nevada by 4 years, the Russian Novik predates the Borodino-class BCs by 2 years (though none of the Borodinos were ever finished), etc.  It makes sense to do so, for several reasons: 1st, the destroyers are small and need the higher-density fuel for their fast running and to fit into tighter spaces more than larger vessels; 2nd, the amount of fuel required by a destroyer is less than a battleship, when oil supplies are less readily available; 3rd, destroyers can be built quickly and prove the way for the larger ships.

Suggestion:
1905 - Allow coal percentages as low as 60% for small, fast vessels.
1908 - Allow oil-firing for small, fast vessels.