Congo Free State - Coastal Defence Ship Design Competition, 1900/01

[The Rock Doctor]

Seems more sensible to put submissions for the CFS CDS RFP here than in the news somewhere, me thinks.  Post away!

[snip]

Im working on something, but my girlfriend just arrived, so I wont have it finished till way later this evening. In any case, the UK would be willing to heavaly subsadise the construction of such ships if built in UK yards.

[Nobody]

Here we have a German entry, mostly designed as a (rather big) riverboat:
They could be delivered, ready to sail - for nothing but a reasonable payment.
Kongo export, Germany for export Coastal Defence Ship laid down 1900

Displacement:
   1.938 t light; 1.991 t standard; 2.161 t normal; 2.297 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (295,28 ft / 295,28 ft) x 45,93 ft x (11,15 / 11,68 ft)
   (90,00 m / 90,00 m) x 14,00 m  x (3,40 / 3,56 m)

Armament:
      2 - 4,13" / 105 mm 35,0 cal guns - 35,27lbs / 16,00kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      1 raised mount aft - superfiring
      4 - 3,46" / 88,0 mm 30,0 cal guns - 15,43lbs / 7,00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 1,46" / 37,0 mm 20,0 cal guns - 0,96lbs / 0,44kg shells, 500 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 136 lbs / 62 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   3,94" / 100 mm   191,93 ft / 58,50 m   9,84 ft / 3,00 m
   Ends:   2,36" / 60 mm   103,31 ft / 31,49 m   8,14 ft / 2,48 m
   Upper:   2,36" / 60 mm   191,93 ft / 58,50 m   8,01 ft / 2,44 m
     Main Belt covers 100% of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0,79" / 20 mm   0,31" / 8 mm            -
   2nd:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1,18" / 30 mm
   Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm  Quarter deck: 1,18" / 30 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5,91" / 150 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2.500 ihp / 1.865 Kw = 15,30 kts
   Range 3.000nm at 10,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 306 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   158 - 206

Cost:
   £0,128 million / $0,511 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 17 tons, 0,8%
      - Guns: 17 tons, 0,8%
   Armour: 782 tons, 36,2%
      - Belts: 552 tons, 25,5%
      - Armament: 8 tons, 0,4%
      - Armour Deck: 193 tons, 8,9%
      - Conning Towers: 28 tons, 1,3%
   Machinery: 391 tons, 18,1%
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 649 tons, 30,0%
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 223 tons, 10,3%
   Miscellaneous weights: 100 tons, 4,6%
      - Hull below water: 25 tons
      - Hull above water: 25 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 25 tons
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     4.539 lbs / 2.059 Kg = 128,5 x 4,1 " / 105 mm shells or 1,5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,53
   Metacentric height 3,2 ft / 1,0 m
   Roll period: 10,8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 77 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,03
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,53

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
     a normal bow and a round stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,500 / 0,507
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,43 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 17,18 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 39 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: -1,64 ft / -0,50 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20,00%,  16,40 ft / 5,00 m,  14,11 ft / 4,30 m
      - Forward deck:   30,00%,  14,11 ft / 4,30 m,  14,11 ft / 4,30 m
      - Aft deck:   35,00%,  6,56 ft / 2,00 m,  6,56 ft / 2,00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15,00%,  6,56 ft / 2,00 m,  6,56 ft / 2,00 m
      - Average freeboard:      10,52 ft / 3,21 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 64,7%
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 109,4%
   Waterplane Area: 9.036 Square feet or 840 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 126%
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 53 lbs/sq ft or 261 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,97
      - Longitudinal: 1,27
      - Overall: 1,00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[Tanthalas]

The Italian proposal is a bit larger than the German Offering but offers Superior armor and includes a pair of the RNs superb 11/45 main guns in a single turret foreward on only 3500 tons light, secondary battery can be changed at Purchasers request.

Kongo Class, Italia for Export Monitor laid down 1900

Displacement:
   3,500 t light; 3,695 t standard; 4,085 t normal; 4,397 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (280.00 ft / 280.00 ft) x 55.00 ft x (12.60 / 13.46 ft)
   (85.34 m / 85.34 m) x 16.76 m  x (3.84 / 4.10 m)

Armament:
      2 - 11.00" / 279 mm 45.0 cal guns - 665.99lbs / 302.09kg shells, 80 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline forward
      4 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      2 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,986 lbs / 901 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   182.00 ft / 55.47 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
   Upper:   4.00" / 102 mm   182.00 ft / 55.47 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   3.00" / 76 mm      6.00" / 152 mm
   2nd:   1.00" / 25 mm         -               -
   3rd:   1.00" / 25 mm   1.00" / 25 mm            -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
   Forecastle: 1.00" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 1.00" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2,500 ihp / 1,866 Kw = 13.35 kts
   Range 4,500nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 701 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   255 - 332

Cost:
   £0.333 million / $1.334 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 342 tons, 8.4 %
      - Guns: 342 tons, 8.4 %
   Armour: 1,377 tons, 33.7 %
      - Belts: 742 tons, 18.2 %
      - Armament: 155 tons, 3.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 430 tons, 10.5 %
      - Conning Tower: 50 tons, 1.2 %
   Machinery: 391 tons, 9.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,375 tons, 33.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 585 tons, 14.3 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 16 tons, 0.4 %
      - On freeboard deck: 16 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     7,977 lbs / 3,618 Kg = 12.0 x 11.0 " / 279 mm shells or 1.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.59
   Metacentric height 4.4 ft / 1.4 m
   Roll period: 11.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 72 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.38
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.79

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.737 / 0.743
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.09 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16.73 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 42 %
   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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Average freeboard:      12.24 ft / 3.73 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 66.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 114.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 12,751 Square feet or 1,185 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 93 lbs/sq ft or 453 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.91
      - Longitudinal: 2.30
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

15 tons Misc Weight unasignd

[Nobody]

German yards also point out the possibility to rework older designs like their Panzerkanonenboote (Armored Gunboats) - which could easily compete with the Italian proposal in terms of firepower.

[Jefgte]

France built actualy 6 Aviso Torpilleurs.
They are originaly built as colonial gunboat, auxiliary cruisers, protect BBs & ACs vs TBs ,Misc weight is free for different installations, usefull for colonial jobs.

France AT3 class laid down 1900

Aviso Torpilleurs: A21-A22-A23-A24-A25-A26

Displacement:
   4 200 t light; 4 324 t standard; 4 930 t normal; 5 414 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (393.50 ft / 388.50 ft) x 48.55 ft x (16.48 / 17.76 ft)
   (119.94 m / 118.41 m) x 14.80 m  x (5.02 / 5.41 m)

Armament:
      3 - 5.50" / 140 mm 45.0 cal guns - 83.91lbs / 38.06kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1900 Model
     3 x Single mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      2 - 3.95" / 100 mm 45.0 cal guns - 31.09lbs / 14.10kg shells, 130 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      4 - 0.30" / 7.6 mm 76.0 cal guns - 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 500 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 314 lbs / 142 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      2 - 17.7" / 450 mm, 16.15 ft / 4.92 m torpedoes - 0.570 t each, 1.140 t total
   submerged bow & stern tubes
      2nd Torpedoes
      2 - 17.7" / 450 mm, 16.15 ft / 4.92 m torpedoes - 0.570 t each, 1.140 t total
   In 2 sets of deck mounted carriage/fixed tubes

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0.99" / 25 mm         -         0.99" / 25 mm
   2nd:   0.40" / 10 mm         -               -
   4th:   0.40" / 10 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 17 750 ihp / 13 241 Kw = 22.90 kts
   Range 6 700nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1 089 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   293 - 382

Cost:
   £0.561 million / $2.245 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 81 tons, 1.6 %
      - Guns: 77 tons, 1.6 %
      - Weapons: 4 tons, 0.1 %
   Armour: 15 tons, 0.3 %
      - Armament: 15 tons, 0.3 %
   Machinery: 2 767 tons, 56.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1 283 tons, 26.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 729 tons, 14.8 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 55 tons, 1.1 %
      - Hull below water: 5 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 50 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     1 850 lbs / 839 Kg = 22.2 x 5.5 " / 140 mm shells or 1.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.89
   Metacentric height 4.7 ft / 1.4 m
   Roll period: 9.4 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 74 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.07
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.555 / 0.566
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.71 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 60
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  14.78 ft / 4.50 m,  12.78 ft / 3.90 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  12.78 ft / 3.90 m,  11.80 ft / 3.60 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  11.80 ft / 3.60 m,  11.80 ft / 3.60 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  11.80 ft / 3.60 m,  11.80 ft / 3.60 m
      - Average freeboard:      12.30 ft / 3.75 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 187.8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 103.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 13 225 Square feet or 1 229 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 84 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 67 lbs/sq ft or 329 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.98
      - Longitudinal: 1.22
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Misc weight
5t for 8 torp
50 tons misc weight are dispo to transport marines troops, materials, 50 mines or complementary armament

--
The second class cruisers of the Carmélia class & Leone class could be interresting with minors accomodations.

http://www.navalism.org/index.php/topic,5949.0.html

[KWorld]

The Fore River Shipyard company of the US submits the following:


CFS Congo, CFS Coast Defence Ship laid down 1900

Displacement:
   5,136 t light; 5,482 t standard; 5,746 t normal; 5,956 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (330.00 ft / 330.00 ft) x 65.00 ft x (15.00 / 15.46 ft)
   (100.58 m / 100.58 m) x 19.81 m  x (4.57 / 4.71 m)

Armament:
      4 - 10.00" / 254 mm 40.0 cal guns - 510.00lbs / 231.33kg shells, 80 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      14 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 105.01lbs / 47.63kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     14 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in any sea
      10 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 50.0 cal guns - 13.01lbs / 5.90kg shells, 250 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      10 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3,640 lbs / 1,651 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   181.50 ft / 55.32 m   8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Ends:   4.00" / 102 mm   148.49 ft / 45.26 m   8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Upper:   6.00" / 152 mm   181.50 ft / 55.32 m   6.00 ft / 1.83 m
     Main Belt covers 85 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   5.00" / 127 mm      8.00" / 203 mm
   2nd:   4.00" / 102 mm         -         3.00" / 76 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
   Forecastle: 1.50" / 38 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 4,382 ihp / 3,269 Kw = 15.00 kts
   Range 4,000nm at 8.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 474 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   329 - 428

Cost:
   £0.527 million / $2.108 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 670 tons, 11.7 %
      - Guns: 670 tons, 11.7 %
   Armour: 2,081 tons, 36.2 %
      - Belts: 1,044 tons, 18.2 %
      - Armament: 401 tons, 7.0 %
      - Armour Deck: 580 tons, 10.1 %
      - Conning Tower: 55 tons, 1.0 %
   Machinery: 685 tons, 11.9 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,691 tons, 29.4 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 609 tons, 10.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 10 tons, 0.2 %
      - Above deck: 10 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     8,068 lbs / 3,660 Kg = 16.1 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 1.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.57
   Metacentric height 5.6 ft / 1.7 m
   Roll period: 11.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.26
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.28

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.625 / 0.629
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.08 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.17 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 42 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 56
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   25.00 %,  13.00 ft / 3.96 m,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Aft deck:   25.00 %,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m,  10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Average freeboard:      10.30 ft / 3.14 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 93.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 16,058 Square feet or 1,492 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 98 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 103 lbs/sq ft or 505 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.95
      - Longitudinal: 1.51
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Above-decks miscellaneous weight allows for a short-range wireless fit.

[The Rock Doctor]

Jef:  Note that the French entry's full load displacement exceeds 5.0 metres, which is Not Good.

[snip]

Armstrong has the following submission. It is a large design, but would more then fulfill the requirements listed. Smaller vessels could be offered in addition to the following design for a complete river package. Note that the Royal Navy has given authorization to subsidize the production of the ships to offset the difference in cost. The ships could be layed down in the second half of 1900 if desired.

Bohemian, Armstrong River Battleship laid down 1900

Displacement:
   5,000 t light; 5,232 t standard; 5,748 t normal; 6,161 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (315.00 ft / 310.00 ft) x 73.00 ft x (15.00 / 15.88 ft)
   (96.01 m / 94.49 m) x 22.25 m  x (4.57 / 4.84 m)

Armament:
      2 - 9.20" / 234 mm 45.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      6 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 1,414 lbs / 641 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   201.50 ft / 61.42 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Ends:   4.00" / 102 mm   108.48 ft / 33.06 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Upper:   4.00" / 102 mm   201.50 ft / 61.42 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   2.00" / 51 mm      5.00" / 127 mm
   2nd:   3.00" / 76 mm   1.00" / 25 mm      3.00" / 76 mm

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
   Forecastle: 1.00" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 1.00" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.00" / 127 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 6,000 ihp / 4,476 Kw = 16.15 kts
   Range 5,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 928 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   329 - 429

Cost:
   £0.411 million / $1.642 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 316 tons, 5.5 %
      - Guns: 316 tons, 5.5 %
   Armour: 1,785 tons, 31.1 %
      - Belts: 995 tons, 17.3 %
      - Armament: 165 tons, 2.9 %
      - Armour Deck: 556 tons, 9.7 %
      - Conning Towers: 69 tons, 1.2 %
   Machinery: 938 tons, 16.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,601 tons, 27.8 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 748 tons, 13.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 360 tons, 6.3 %
      - On freeboard deck: 360 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     10,689 lbs / 4,849 Kg = 27.5 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 2.2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.78
   Metacentric height 8.0 ft / 2.4 m
   Roll period: 10.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.08
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has low quarterdeck ,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.593 / 0.600
   Length to Beam Ratio: 4.25 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 17.61 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 52
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: -5.00 ft / -1.52 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m
      - Average freeboard:      10.65 ft / 3.25 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 71.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 114.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 16,438 Square feet or 1,527 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 91 lbs/sq ft or 442 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.95
      - Longitudinal: 1.60
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room

[Tanthalas]

I played around some more with it today, thought I would go ahead and post this the second version of this hull not much changed but I did go through and convert everything to metric and lower the freeboard a bit (while improving armor over all)

Congo Class, Italia for Export Monitor laid down 1900

Displacement:
   3,500 t light; 3,703 t standard; 4,088 t normal; 4,396 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (282.15 ft / 282.15 ft) x 52.49 ft x (13.12 / 14.00 ft)
   (86.00 m / 86.00 m) x 16.00 m  x (4.00 / 4.27 m)

Armament:
      2 - 11.00" / 279 mm 45.0 cal guns - 666.00lbs / 302.09kg shells, 80 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline forward
      4 - 5.91" / 150 mm 45.0 cal guns - 103.62lbs / 47.00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      2 - 5.91" / 150 mm 45.0 cal guns - 103.62lbs / 47.00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts
      4 - 3.94" / 100.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 30.87lbs / 14.00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 2,077 lbs / 942 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8.86" / 225 mm   180.45 ft / 55.00 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
   Upper:   3.94" / 100 mm   180.45 ft / 55.00 m   4.92 ft / 1.50 m
     Main Belt covers 98 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   2.99" / 76 mm      5.91" / 150 mm
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -
   3rd:   0.98" / 25 mm   0.98" / 25 mm            -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1.97" / 50 mm
   Forecastle: 0.98" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 0.98" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.86" / 225 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2,500 ihp / 1,865 Kw = 13.41 kts
   Range 4,500nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 692 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   255 - 332

Cost:
   £0.338 million / $1.352 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 359 tons, 8.8 %
      - Guns: 359 tons, 8.8 %
   Armour: 1,480 tons, 36.2 %
      - Belts: 885 tons, 21.6 %
      - Armament: 139 tons, 3.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 407 tons, 10.0 %
      - Conning Tower: 49 tons, 1.2 %
   Machinery: 391 tons, 9.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,255 tons, 30.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 588 tons, 14.4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 16 tons, 0.4 %
      - On freeboard deck: 16 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     6,802 lbs / 3,085 Kg = 10.2 x 11.0 " / 279 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.51
   Metacentric height 3.8 ft / 1.2 m
   Roll period: 11.3 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.41
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.57

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.736 / 0.742
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.38 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16.80 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 42 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 48
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      10.35 ft / 3.16 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 67.7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 90.1 %
   Waterplane Area: 12,256 Square feet or 1,139 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 90 lbs/sq ft or 441 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.93
      - Longitudinal: 1.88
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

16 tons Misc Weight unasignd

[Walter]

"Big guns on a big ship for more intimidation means that the unfriendly powers may think twice about behaving hostile toward Congo. The more they think about it, the less hostile they are and that means you will have to shoot less at the unfriendly powers and less shells will need to be fired and a shell that you do not have to fire is a shell that does not have to be bought to replace the spent shell and therefore will save money."
Standard lines from an Iberian arms salesman trying to sell to you his wares. ;D

"WATCFS" "We Are The Congo Free State", Congo CDM laid down 1901 (Engine 1900)

Displacement:
   5,782 t light; 6,153 t standard; 6,605 t normal; 6,967 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (390.00 ft / 390.00 ft) x 60.00 ft x (15.20 / 15.91 ft)
   (118.87 m / 118.87 m) x 18.29 m  x (4.63 / 4.85 m)

Armament:
      2 - 14.00" / 356 mm 35.0 cal guns - 1,286.46lbs / 583.53kg shells, 80 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mount, 1895 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline forward
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1901 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.28lbs / 14.64kg shells, 200 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1901 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 raised mounts
      4 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.71lbs / 2.59kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1898 Model
     4 x Single mounts on centreline, forward evenly spread
      4 double raised mounts
      4 - 0.31" / 8.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 15,000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1901 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 3,943 lbs / 1,789 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   235.00 ft / 71.63 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Ends:   2.50" / 64 mm   155.00 ft / 47.24 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Upper:   4.00" / 102 mm   240.00 ft / 73.15 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
     Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   6.00" / 152 mm      6.00" / 152 mm
   2nd:   3.00" / 76 mm   2.00" / 51 mm      2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
   Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 3,554 ihp / 2,651 Kw = 14.00 kts
   Range 5,000nm at 9.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 814 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   366 - 476

Cost:
   £0.532 million / $2.128 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 548 tons, 8.3 %
      - Guns: 548 tons, 8.3 %
   Armour: 2,329 tons, 35.3 %
      - Belts: 1,280 tons, 19.4 %
      - Armament: 320 tons, 4.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 669 tons, 10.1 %
      - Conning Tower: 61 tons, 0.9 %
   Machinery: 555 tons, 8.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,315 tons, 35.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 823 tons, 12.5 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 35 tons, 0.5 %
      - Above deck: 35 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     11,078 lbs / 5,025 Kg = 8.1 x 14.0 " / 356 mm shells or 2.3 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.36
   Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
   Roll period: 12.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.47
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.23

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.650 / 0.655
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.50 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.75 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 32 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 57
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  14.50 ft / 4.42 m,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m,  10.75 ft / 3.28 m
      - Average freeboard:      11.05 ft / 3.37 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 63.7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 100.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 17,926 Square feet or 1,665 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 111 lbs/sq ft or 541 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.97
      - Longitudinal: 1.30
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[Nobody]

Here's a German proposal in case the Congo authorities think they need real firepower:
Kongo II, German export coastal/river battleship laid down 1900

Displacement:
   4.454 t light; 4.660 t standard; 4.944 t normal; 5.171 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (365,81 ft / 360,89 ft) x 52,49 ft x (15,75 / 16,33 ft)
   (111,50 m / 110,00 m) x 16,00 m  x (4,80 / 4,98 m)

Armament:
      2 - 13,78" / 350 mm 35,0 cal guns - 992,08lbs / 450,00kg shells, 60 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck centre
      2 - 8,27" / 210 mm 40,0 cal guns - 264,55lbs / 120,00kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline, aft deck aft
      6 - 3,46" / 88,0 mm 30,0 cal guns - 15,43lbs / 7,00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 1,46" / 37,0 mm 20,0 cal guns - 0,96lbs / 0,44kg shells, 1.500 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 2.610 lbs / 1.184 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   7,87" / 200 mm   234,58 ft / 71,50 m   6,56 ft / 2,00 m
   Ends:   1,97" / 50 mm   126,28 ft / 38,49 m   8,69 ft / 2,65 m
   Upper:   2,95" / 75 mm   234,58 ft / 71,50 m   6,56 ft / 2,00 m
     Main Belt covers 100% of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   9,84" / 250 mm   4,72" / 120 mm      7,87" / 200 mm
   2nd:   5,91" / 150 mm   3,94" / 100 mm      4,72" / 120 mm
   3rd:   0,59" / 15 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1,18" / 30 mm
   Forecastle: 1,18" / 30 mm  Quarter deck: 1,18" / 30 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9,84" / 250 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 3.727 ihp / 2.780 Kw = 15,00 kts
   Range 3.000nm at 10,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 512 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   294 - 383

Cost:
   £0,464 million / $1,858 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 446 tons, 9,0%
      - Guns: 446 tons, 9,0%
   Armour: 1.516 tons, 30,7%
      - Belts: 799 tons, 16,2%
      - Armament: 344 tons, 7,0%
      - Armour Deck: 300 tons, 6,1%
      - Conning Towers: 74 tons, 1,5%
   Machinery: 582 tons, 11,8%
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1.884 tons, 38,1%
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 490 tons, 9,9%
   Miscellaneous weights: 25 tons, 0,5%
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     6.100 lbs / 2.767 Kg = 4,7 x 13,8 " / 350 mm shells or 1,5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,22
   Metacentric height 2,7 ft / 0,8 m
   Roll period: 13,4 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,57
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,21

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a round stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,580 / 0,585
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,88 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19,00 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 36 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -20,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 1,64 ft / 0,50 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20,00%,  11,48 ft / 3,50 m,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m
      - Forward deck:   30,00%,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m
      - Aft deck:   35,00%,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15,00%,  9,84 ft / 3,00 m,  10,50 ft / 3,20 m
      - Average freeboard:      10,02 ft / 3,06 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79,2%
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 86,7%
   Waterplane Area: 13.599 Square feet or 1.263 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 102%
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 111 lbs/sq ft or 543 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,96
      - Longitudinal: 1,50
      - Overall: 1,00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Cramped accommodation and workspace room
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily


Note: all German proposals are to be viewed as quick drafts, they can only be refined after the potential buyer has concretized his design specifications.

[The Rock Doctor]

An interesting mix of gunboats, avisos, and monitors so far, but only the Germans are wandering into territory one might consider "strange".  Anybody gonna throw genuinely weird ideas (with sales pitches) at me?

[Tanthalas]

Strange you say... well I could come up with somthing truely strange... but I was trying to restrict myself to the realm of reality.  however if its strange you want *scuries off to play with Spring Sharp some more*

[The Rock Doctor]

Well, you know:  "We've got this idea but our own government thinks it's stupid - maybe we can dupe convince these colonial hicks to buy one instead..."