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

[snip]

A submission from Armstrong's "Oddjob Shop"

Sentry, Armstrong's Weird and Wonderful Group River Battleship laid down 1901 (Engine 1900)

Displacement:
   4,593 t light; 4,843 t standard; 5,330 t normal; 5,719 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (310.00 ft / 310.00 ft) x 73.00 ft x (15.00 / 15.89 ft)
   (94.49 m / 94.49 m) x 22.25 m  x (4.57 / 4.84 m)

Armament:
      4 - 10.00" / 254 mm 32.0 cal guns - 500.00lbs / 226.80kg shells, 90 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1895 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in all but light seas
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 40.0 cal guns - 50.00lbs / 22.68kg shells, 174 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1895 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in all but light seas
      10 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 6.00lbs / 2.72kg shells, 450 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 2,360 lbs / 1,070 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   7.00" / 178 mm   232.50 ft / 70.87 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
   Ends:   4.00" / 102 mm     77.48 ft / 23.62 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
   Upper:   7.00" / 178 mm   232.50 ft / 70.87 m   9.00 ft / 2.74 m
     Main Belt covers 115 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   7.00" / 178 mm   3.00" / 76 mm      5.00" / 127 mm
   2nd:   7.00" / 178 mm   3.00" / 76 mm      5.00" / 127 mm
   3rd:   1.00" / 25 mm         -               -

   - Protected 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 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 1 shaft, 3,000 ihp / 2,238 Kw = 13.69 kts
   Range 5,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 876 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   311 - 405

Cost:
   £0.307 million / $1.227 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 247 tons, 4.6 %
      - Guns: 247 tons, 4.6 %
   Armour: 2,123 tons, 39.8 %
      - Belts: 1,237 tons, 23.2 %
      - Armament: 245 tons, 4.6 %
      - Armour Deck: 535 tons, 10.0 %
      - Conning Towers: 105 tons, 2.0 %
   Machinery: 469 tons, 8.8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,334 tons, 25.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 737 tons, 13.8 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 420 tons, 7.9 %
      - On freeboard deck: 420 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     15,949 lbs / 7,234 Kg = 31.9 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 3.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.88
   Metacentric height 8.6 ft / 2.6 m
   Roll period: 10.5 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 77 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.04
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.55

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has low quarterdeck ,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.557
   Length to Beam Ratio: 4.25 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 17.61 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: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   10.00 %,  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:   45.00 %,  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): 45.3 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 112.6 %
   Waterplane Area: 15,317 Square feet or 1,423 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 126 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 79 lbs/sq ft or 384 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
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

And included with the package is a letter, an excerpt of which is below.

The buyer will be please to note all but the lightest of guns are behind enough armor to keep out the largest land-based guns and a significant portion of naval guns. While the guns are older models, for the intended missions of patrol, bargaining with natives, and deterrence, they fill the roll nicely. While the design is slower then our other offering, it is slightly cheaper and the speed is contemporary with designs being presented from other companies. This design, we at Armstrong believe, is enough to deter all but the most modern armored cruisers from acting alone against it. The only downside of the design is there does not yet exist a casemate mount for the 10" gun. Development of such a mount would push the design back about 6 months, and due to that would be provided at the expense of Armstrong should the design be selected. Per Mr Angus Westly of the Royal Navy Offices, we along with the Royal Navy would be willing to subsidize the difference in cost between our designs and those of other companies as a sign of good will between us. Also per Mr Westly, the Royal Navy would undertake such construction in its own yards to ensure quality and timeliness thought the process, one again as a sign of good will.
Yours,
William Greystone of Armstrong

[Walter]

Guinness' round one got me thinking and got this...

Floating Disc, Congo CDS laid down 1901 (Engine 1900)

Displacement:
   5,430 t light; 6,046 t standard; 6,750 t normal; 7,313 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (150.00 ft / 150.00 ft) x 150.00 ft x (15.00 / 16.09 ft)
   (45.72 m / 45.72 m) x 45.72 m  x (4.57 / 4.91 m)

Armament:
      8 - 11.00" / 279 mm 45.0 cal guns - 671.17lbs / 304.44kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1901 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
      24 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1901 Model
     24 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      12 raised mounts
      8 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1901 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 double raised mounts
      8 - 0.31" / 8.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 150 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1901 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 8,029 lbs / 3,642 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   7.50" / 191 mm   150.00 ft / 45.72 m   12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Upper:   4.00" / 102 mm   150.00 ft / 45.72 m   6.00 ft / 1.83 m
     Main Belt covers 154 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   6.00" / 152 mm      4.00" / 102 mm
   2nd:   4.00" / 102 mm   3.00" / 76 mm      3.00" / 76 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 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 1,809 ihp / 1,349 Kw = 10.00 kts
   Range 4,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,267 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   372 - 484

Cost:
   £0.606 million / $2.426 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1,051 tons, 15.6 %
      - Guns: 1,051 tons, 15.6 %
   Armour: 2,228 tons, 33.0 %
      - Belts: 633 tons, 9.4 %
      - Armament: 800 tons, 11.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 673 tons, 10.0 %
      - Conning Towers: 123 tons, 1.8 %
   Machinery: 283 tons, 4.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,833 tons, 27.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,320 tons, 19.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 35 tons, 0.5 %
      - Above deck: 35 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     20,681 lbs / 9,381 Kg = 31.1 x 11.0 " / 279 mm shells or 3.9 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 3.55
   Metacentric height 56.1 ft / 17.1 m
   Roll period: 8.4 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 100 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.02
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.89

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a round stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.700 / 0.707
   Length to Beam Ratio: 1.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 12.25 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 68
   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 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Average freeboard:      16.00 ft / 4.88 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 68.3 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 147.7 %
   Waterplane Area: 18,034 Square feet or 1,675 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 105 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 129 lbs/sq ft or 628 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.75
      - Longitudinal: 13.74
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent 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

[snip]

1901 engines?

[Walter]

Whoops!!! Should be the other way around.

[Desertfox]

Rocky, what sort of threats is this ship supposed to counter? I have a few more wacky ideas but would like to know what sort of ships she is supposed to face.

[The Rock Doctor]

Foxy, I haven't got the slightest clue what actual threats exist.  I think I've got the French, Iberians, and Germans as neighbours on the Atlantic but at this point, none have twirled their mustaches and monologued in my presence.

[Jefgte]

A light study of the projected Clovis class for France

Saliens- Ripuaires, Belgium CBB laid down 1900

Displacement:
   6 420 t light; 6 765 t standard; 7 481 t normal; 8 053 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (393.57 ft / 390.57 ft) x 65.62 ft x (16.29 / 17.34 ft)
   (119.96 m / 119.05 m) x 20.00 m  x (4.97 / 5.28 m)

Armament:
      4 - 10.77" / 274 mm 40.0 cal guns - 598.64lbs / 271.54kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      6 - 5.50" / 140 mm 45.0 cal guns - 83.90lbs / 38.05kg shells, 140 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 - 3.95" / 100 mm 45.0 cal guns - 31.08lbs / 14.10kg shells, 220 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 0.31" / 7.9 mm 55.0 cal guns - 0.02lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1 000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3 084 lbs / 1 399 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
   submerged side tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   5.92" / 150 mm   272.30 ft / 83.00 m   7.87 ft / 2.40 m
   Ends:   1.77" / 45 mm     68.87 ft / 20.99 m   7.22 ft / 2.20 m
     49.40 ft / 15.06 m Unarmoured ends
   Upper:   1.77" / 45 mm   272.30 ft / 83.00 m   8.52 ft / 2.60 m
     Main Belt covers 107 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   5.92" / 150 mm   1.77" / 45 mm      5.92" / 150 mm
   2nd:   1.77" / 45 mm   0.80" / 20 mm      1.77" / 45 mm
   3rd:   0.40" / 10 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1.77" / 45 mm
   Forecastle: 0.99" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 0.99" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.90" / 150 mm, Aft 1.77" / 45 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, simple reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 3 shafts, 10 015 ihp / 7 471 Kw = 18.18 kts
   Range 6 000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1 289 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   401 - 522

Cost:
   £0.705 million / $2.819 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 503 tons, 6.7 %
      - Guns: 498 tons, 6.7 %
      - Weapons: 5 tons, 0.1 %
   Armour: 1 664 tons, 22.2 %
      - Belts: 765 tons, 10.2 %
      - Armament: 266 tons, 3.6 %
      - Armour Deck: 570 tons, 7.6 %
      - Conning Towers: 63 tons, 0.8 %
   Machinery: 1 773 tons, 23.7 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2 424 tons, 32.4 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1 060 tons, 14.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 56 tons, 0.7 %
      - Hull below water: 6 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 50 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     8 005 lbs / 3 631 Kg = 12.8 x 10.8 " / 274 mm shells or 3.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.59
   Metacentric height 5.8 ft / 1.8 m
   Roll period: 11.5 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 73 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.31
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.47

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.627 / 0.634
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.95 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.76 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 46 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
   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 %,  16.42 ft / 5.00 m,  14.12 ft / 4.30 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  14.12 ft / 4.30 m,  12.48 ft / 3.80 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  12.48 ft / 3.80 m,  12.48 ft / 3.80 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  12.48 ft / 3.80 m,  12.48 ft / 3.80 m
      - Average freeboard:      13.24 ft / 4.03 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 106.8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 117.7 %
   Waterplane Area: 19 222 Square feet or 1 786 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 100 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 105 lbs/sq ft or 513 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.95
      - Longitudinal: 1.51
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate 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

[The Rock Doctor]

The circular designs are neat and something I'll be pondering. 

Anybody feel like proposing some sort of central-battery ironclad with two twin mounts?  Could be useful in maximizing fore/aft firepower during pursuits up or down river.

Foxy/folks in general - how much trainability would "broadside mounts" have?

[Desertfox]

I would not expect much, my thinking was to wear down the enemy while closing with the faster firing secondaries, then deliver the coup de grace with the heavy guns at point blank range.

Rocky, I was asking more in terms of types you expect to encounter. Would this ship be expected to fight against battleships, cruisers, or multiple light ships? Or even against units on shore?

[The Rock Doctor]

I wouldn't worry too much about ground forces ashore.  That's what the Force Publique is for.

As for shipping, I think battleships and cruisers are the primary threats.  In a situation like that, one could say, "If I build against cruisers, the other guy will send a battleship because his cruiser is at a disadvantage.  So I need to build against battleships."

In theory, though, the good ol' Royal Navy is there to protect my bacon, so the hypothetical bad guy should need all his battleships to deal with the RN's.  That could leave me facing a colonial force centered on a CDBB, or a roving commerce raider such as a big AC. 

Enemy destroyers may be present (or not, given their short legs), but I have doubts about their lethality in shallow waters with a current.  Hitting something with a torpedo will be a hassle in those circumstances.

[Desertfox]

So alot of medium guns and just a few big ones for the coup de grace, no need for a anti-TB battery. 4 guns fow, 4 aft, 12 gun broadside.

Kongo Riverine Bad@ss laid down 1900

Displacement:
   4,428 t light; 4,813 t standard; 4,977 t normal; 5,108 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   360.00 ft / 360.00 ft x 63.00 ft x 12.00 ft (normal load)
   109.73 m / 109.73 m x 19.20 m  x 3.66 m

Armament:
      2 - 11.02" / 280 mm guns (1x2 guns), 669.80lbs / 303.81kg shells, 1900 Model
     Breech loading guns in a turret (on a barbette)
     on centreline amidships
      4 - 8.27" / 210 mm guns (2x2 guns), 282.57lbs / 128.17kg shells, 1900 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      4 - 8.27" / 210 mm guns in single mounts, 282.57lbs / 128.17kg shells, 1900 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side ends, evenly spread
      8 - 8.27" / 210 mm guns in single mounts, 282.57lbs / 128.17kg shells, 1900 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, evenly spread
   Weight of broadside 5,861 lbs / 2,658 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.70" / 170 mm   300.00 ft / 91.44 m   5.00 ft / 1.52 m
   Ends:   1.18" / 30 mm     60.00 ft / 18.29 m   5.00 ft / 1.52 m
     Main Belt covers 128 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   6.70" / 170 mm   3.10" / 79 mm      3.10" / 79 mm
   2nd:   3.10" / 79 mm   1.18" / 30 mm      1.18" / 30 mm
   3rd:   3.10" / 79 mm         -               -
   4th:   3.10" / 79 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 0.51" / 13 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 1,001 ihp / 747 Kw = 10.00 kts
   Range 1,500nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 295 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   296 - 385

Cost:
   £0.792 million / $3.169 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 733 tons, 14.7 %
   Armour: 949 tons, 19.1 %
      - Belts: 433 tons, 8.7 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 354 tons, 7.1 %
      - Armour Deck: 162 tons, 3.3 %
      - Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 156 tons, 3.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,490 tons, 50.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 548 tons, 11.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 100 tons, 2.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3,482 lbs / 1,579 Kg = 5.2 x 11.0 " / 280 mm shells or 1.0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.24
   Metacentric height 3.7 ft / 1.1 m
   Roll period: 13.7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.48
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.88

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck
   Block coefficient: 0.640
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.71 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.97 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 20 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 79
   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:      10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Forecastle (30 %):   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
      - Mid (50 %):      8.00 ft / 2.44 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   8.00 ft / 2.44 m
      - Stern:      8.00 ft / 2.44 m
      - Average freeboard:   8.80 ft / 2.68 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 120.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 92.7 %
   Waterplane Area: 17,215 Square feet or 1,599 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 69 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 123 lbs/sq ft or 600 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.99
      - Longitudinal: 1.08
      - 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
   Poor seaboat, wet and uncomfortable, reduced performance in heavy weather

[Delta Force]

An improved Vulkan class monitor. The original ships are intended as powerful river monitors and fire support ships on the Black Sea, so they have a very low freeboard but also quite a low draught for their size. I am going to also propose a second class battleship design as Russia is one of the few powers using them.

Improved Vulkan Class, Russia Export Monitor laid down 1900

Displacement:
   3,000 t light; 3,137 t standard; 3,376 t normal; 3,567 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (240.00 ft / 240.00 ft) x 56.50 ft x (12.50 / 13.12 ft)
   (73.15 m / 73.15 m) x 17.22 m  x (3.81 / 4.00 m)

Armament:
      2 - 12.00" / 305 mm 40.0 cal guns - 749.99lbs / 340.19kg shells, 60 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck centre
      4 - 4.72" / 120 mm 45.0 cal guns - 50.00lbs / 22.68kg shells, 180 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,700 lbs / 771 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   156.00 ft / 47.55 m   9.00 ft / 2.74 m
   Ends:   4.00" / 102 mm     84.00 ft / 25.60 m   9.00 ft / 2.74 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   10.0" / 254 mm   4.00" / 102 mm      8.00" / 203 mm
   2nd:   1.00" / 25 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   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 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 1,680 ihp / 1,253 Kw = 12.25 kts
   Range 3,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 430 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   220 - 287

Cost:
   £0.289 million / $1.157 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 299 tons, 8.8 %
      - Guns: 299 tons, 8.8 %
   Armour: 1,392 tons, 41.2 %
      - Belts: 783 tons, 23.2 %
      - Armament: 127 tons, 3.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 404 tons, 12.0 %
      - Conning Towers: 78 tons, 2.3 %
   Machinery: 262 tons, 7.8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,047 tons, 31.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 376 tons, 11.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     4,745 lbs / 2,152 Kg = 5.5 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.56
   Metacentric height 4.5 ft / 1.4 m
   Roll period: 11.2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.13
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.78

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.697 / 0.702
   Length to Beam Ratio: 4.25 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 15.49 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 43 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 64
   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 %,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m,  5.00 ft / 1.52 m
      - Average freeboard:      5.00 ft / 1.52 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 64.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 46.9 %
   Waterplane Area: 10,840 Square feet or 1,007 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 102 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 94 lbs/sq ft or 460 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.97
      - Longitudinal: 1.31
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Extremely poor accommodation and workspace room
   Poor seaboat, wet and uncomfortable, reduced performance in heavy weather

[Delta Force]

An improved version of the Peresvet class, with the latest 12 inch armament and improved engines.

Improved Peresvet Class, Russia Export Second Class Battleship laid down 1900

Displacement:
   7,000 t light; 7,358 t standard; 8,353 t normal; 9,148 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (368.00 ft / 360.00 ft) x 66.00 ft (Bulges 72.00 ft) x (18.25 / 19.83 ft)
   (112.17 m / 109.73 m) x 20.12 m (Bulges 21.95 m)  x (5.56 / 6.04 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 40.0 cal guns - 749.99lbs / 340.19kg shells, 60 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 89.99lbs / 40.82kg shells, 180 per gun
     Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 50.0 cal guns - 11.99lbs / 5.44kg shells, 360 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     8 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3,816 lbs / 1,731 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   234.00 ft / 71.32 m   9.24 ft / 2.82 m
   Ends:   4.00" / 102 mm   126.00 ft / 38.40 m   9.24 ft / 2.82 m
   Upper:   4.00" / 102 mm   234.00 ft / 71.32 m   8.00 ft / 2.44 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length
     Main Belt inclined -30.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   4.00" / 102 mm      6.00" / 152 mm
   2nd:   3.00" / 76 mm         -               -
   3rd:   1.00" / 25 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 1.50" / 38 mm
   Forecastle: 1.50" / 38 mm  Quarter deck: 1.50" / 38 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 10.00" / 254 mm, Aft 10.00" / 254 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 9,400 ihp / 7,012 Kw = 17.41 kts
   Range 8,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,790 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   436 - 567

Cost:
   £0.773 million / $3.092 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 696 tons, 8.3 %
      - Guns: 696 tons, 8.3 %
   Armour: 2,325 tons, 27.8 %
      - Belts: 1,284 tons, 15.4 %
      - Armament: 369 tons, 4.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 494 tons, 5.9 %
      - Conning Towers: 177 tons, 2.1 %
   Machinery: 1,469 tons, 17.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,466 tons, 29.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,352 tons, 16.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 45 tons, 0.5 %
      - Hull below water: 20 tons
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     9,500 lbs / 4,309 Kg = 11.0 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.49
   Metacentric height 5.3 ft / 1.6 m
   Roll period: 13.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.28
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.25

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.618 / 0.623
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.97 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 60
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -10.00 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 %,  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 %,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m,  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      - Average freeboard:      12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 92.2 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 92.6 %
   Waterplane Area: 17,672 Square feet or 1,642 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 100 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 116 lbs/sq ft or 568 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.94
      - Longitudinal: 1.67
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate 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

Tumblehome hull.

Belt and end armor belts cover 8 feet vertically. Belt armor is equivalent to 9.24 inches of vertical armor, end armor is equivalent to 4.62 inches of vertical armor.

Miscellaneous weight:
20 tons hull below water is for 6 x 18 inch torpedo tubes (2 fore, 2 aft, 1 each broadside) with 3 x 1,250 pound torpedoes each.
25 tons above deck reserve weight.

[snip]

The second class BB draws to much water

[Walter]

Bigger, slower and weirder though not sure about the legality of the design. Mainly posted it to try and make it weirder than my previous Floating Disc design... :D

I was also thinking about adding 4 screws so I have 2 screws fore, aft and on each side making it even harder to figure out which side is the front of the vessel. ;D

Floating Disc 2, Congo CDS laid down 1901 (Engine 1900)

Displacement:
   8,993 t light; 9,976 t standard; 10,336 t normal; 10,623 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (180.00 ft / 180.00 ft) x 180.00 ft x (15.95 / 16.34 ft)
   (54.86 m / 54.86 m) x 54.86 m  x (4.86 / 4.98 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, 1901 Model
     1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck aft
      1 raised mount
      8 - 11.00" / 279 mm 45.0 cal guns - 671.17lbs / 304.44kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1901 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
     2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
      8 - 8.00" / 203 mm 45.0 cal guns - 258.18lbs / 117.11kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1901 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
     2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      24 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1901 Model
     24 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      12 raised mounts
      8 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1901 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 double raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 12,667 lbs / 5,746 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   180.00 ft / 54.86 m   10.00 ft / 3.05 m
   Upper:   3.00" / 76 mm   180.00 ft / 54.86 m   7.00 ft / 2.13 m
     Main Belt covers 154 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   8.00" / 203 mm   5.00" / 127 mm      4.00" / 102 mm
   2nd:   7.00" / 178 mm   4.00" / 102 mm      4.00" / 102 mm
   3rd:   4.00" / 102 mm   2.00" / 51 mm      3.00" / 76 mm
   4th:   4.00" / 102 mm   2.00" / 51 mm      2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 1.50" / 38 mm
   Forecastle: 1.00" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 1.00" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm, Aft 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 934 ihp / 696 Kw = 8.00 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 6.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 647 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   512 - 666

Cost:
   £1.092 million / $4.369 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1,854 tons, 17.9 %
      - Guns: 1,854 tons, 17.9 %
   Armour: 2,458 tons, 23.8 %
      - Belts: 539 tons, 5.2 %
      - Armament: 1,108 tons, 10.7 %
      - Armour Deck: 688 tons, 6.7 %
      - Conning Towers: 123 tons, 1.2 %
   Machinery: 146 tons, 1.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,500 tons, 43.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,343 tons, 13.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 35 tons, 0.3 %
      - Above deck: 35 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     27,869 lbs / 12,641 Kg = 20.3 x 14.0 " / 356 mm shells or 4.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 3.25
   Metacentric height 66.5 ft / 20.3 m
   Roll period: 9.3 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 100 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.04
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a round stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.700 / 0.702
   Length to Beam Ratio: 1.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 13.42 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 42 %
   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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   15.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Forward deck:   35.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
      - Average freeboard:      16.43 ft / 5.01 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 74.0 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 164.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 25,969 Square feet or 2,413 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 205 lbs/sq ft or 1,003 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.75
      - Longitudinal: 12.33
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent 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