Capital ships design studies from the Netherlands

[The Rock Doctor]

I'd like her better with another half metre or so of freeboard, but she's otherwise a sturdy customer.  Appreciate the sketch, too.

[Alikchi]

Seems like a very fine, well-rounded design. :) The speed and armour will serve you well.

[Korpen]

I'd like her better with another half metre or so of freeboard, but she's otherwise a sturdy customer.  Appreciate the sketch, too.

I kind of agree, it would have been nice with more freeboard, but something had to give. :(
Originally she hade a freeboard 1m higher over the entire ship, but a midbreak at 35% on length, i felt this arrangement offered a better ship.

[Korpen]

Had reason to play around with cruisers designs, and ended up with a battlecruisers design that i would in fact consider building.
At almost 25kts she is almost as fast as my torpedoboots, and faster then all my cruisers. While the armour is far from great, it is on the same scale as most other armoured cruisers, and it does give pretty good protection from guns up to 25cm at combat ranges. At the same time the powerful 30cm guns she carry are more then capable to pound any cruisers into scrap. So in fact, a very true battlecruiser. :)
And that on a displacement that is unlikley to break the bank.

BCX-1, Netherlands Battlecruiser laid down 1908 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   14 350 t light; 15 359 t standard; 17 493 t normal; 19 200 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   555,89 ft / 538,06 ft x 78,74 ft x 26,25 ft (normal load)
   169,43 m / 164,00 m x 24,00 m  x 8,00 m

Armament:
      8 - 12,01" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 903,90lbs / 410,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on side, evenly spread
     Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
      12 - 5,91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 99,21lbs / 45,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 3,46" / 88,0 mm guns in single mounts, 19,84lbs / 9,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
   Weight of broadside 8 501 lbs / 3 856 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 136

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   7,87" / 200 mm   351,05 ft / 107,00 m   13,12 ft / 4,00 m
   Ends:   2,95" / 75 mm   187,01 ft / 57,00 m   9,84 ft / 3,00 m
   Upper:   3,78" / 96 mm   351,05 ft / 107,00 m   7,87 ft / 2,40 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   7,87" / 200 mm   4,13" / 105 mm      5,91" / 150 mm
   2nd:   2,95" / 75 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2,36" / 60 mm, Conning tower: 9,84" / 250 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 48 010 shp / 35 815 Kw = 24,82 kts
   Range 11 500nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3 840 tons

Complement:
   759 - 988

Cost:
   £1,673 million / $6,694 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1 031 tons, 5,9 %
   Armour: 4 673 tons, 26,7 %
      - Belts: 2 223 tons, 12,7 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0 %
      - Armament: 1 015 tons, 5,8 %
      - Armour Deck: 1 293 tons, 7,4 %
      - Conning Tower: 143 tons, 0,8 %
   Machinery: 2 182 tons, 12,5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 6 164 tons, 35,2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3 143 tons, 18,0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 300 tons, 1,7 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     19 401 lbs / 8 800 Kg = 22,4 x 12,0 " / 305 mm shells or 2,3 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,19
   Metacentric height 4,9 ft / 1,5 m
   Roll period: 15,0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,56
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,12

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck
   Block coefficient: 0,551
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,83 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23,20 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3,28 ft / 1,00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      25,20 ft / 7,68 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   16,40 ft / 5,00 m
      - Mid (55 %):      16,40 ft / 5,00 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   16,40 ft / 5,00 m
      - Stern:      16,40 ft / 5,00 m
      - Average freeboard:   17,11 ft / 5,21 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 87,9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 121,8 %
   Waterplane Area: 29 584 Square feet or 2 748 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 99 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 145 lbs/sq ft or 707 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,94
      - Longitudinal: 1,59
      - Overall: 1,00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

[The Rock Doctor]

It's not bad, armor aside.  Are the secondaries at the main deck level as you note, or are they to be hull casemates?

Have you contemplated a similar hull with slightly smaller guns (you've got a 265 or something) and greater armor/speed?

[Korpen]

It's not bad, armor aside.  Are the secondaries at the main deck level as you note, or are they to be hull casemates?

Have you contemplated a similar hull with slightly smaller guns (you've got a 265 or something) and greater armor/speed?

Hull secondaries in the hull, as i do not think they might fit on the main deck, but i think i will get the ship a midbreak, that would place the guns at almost the same level.

While i do have a 26cm gun, it is a 20 year old design, and as such it have no use aboard a modern ship.
Also, i think i will increase the main belt at the cost of some deck armour. But i have no intention to downgrade the firepower to get more armour, as 20cm belt can withstand the 20-25cm artillery of armoured cruisers at around 60hm, and as i can never armour the ship to withstand the firepower of the latest battleships, to design against cruiser feels logical.  Also the 30,5cm guns will punch trough the armour of any armoured cruiser in existence so despite not really being larger then older cruisers, she would be superior in every way.

[The Rock Doctor]

Fair enough.  50mm would probably be adequate in this era...

On the secondaries - you should probably adjust them to be "below main deck" or whatever that option is.

[Korpen]

Fair enough.  50mm would probably be adequate in this era...

On the secondaries - you should probably adjust them to be "below main deck" or whatever that option is.

Oh, i will :)
Something like this, she would pretty much be a smaller, faster version of BB Jacob van Heemskerck.
Better vertical protection, worse horizontal armour.

BCX-2, Netherlands Battlecruiser laid down 1908 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   14 300 t light; 15 305 t standard; 17 425 t normal; 19 121 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   542,76 ft / 524,93 ft x 75,46 ft x 27,89 ft (normal load)
   165,43 m / 160,00 m x 23,00 m  x 8,50 m

Armament:
      8 - 12,01" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 903,90lbs / 410,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on side, evenly spread
     Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
      12 - 5,91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 99,21lbs / 45,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, all amidships
     8 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
      4 - 3,46" / 88,0 mm guns in single mounts, 19,84lbs / 9,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, all amidships
      4 - 3,46" / 88,0 mm guns in single mounts, 19,84lbs / 9,00kg shells, 1908 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side ends, evenly spread
     4 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
   Weight of broadside 8 580 lbs / 3 892 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 134

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8,27" / 210 mm   328,08 ft / 100,00 m   13,12 ft / 4,00 m
   Ends:   2,95" / 75 mm   196,85 ft / 60,00 m   9,84 ft / 3,00 m
   Upper:   3,94" / 100 mm   328,08 ft / 100,00 m   7,87 ft / 2,40 m
     Main Belt covers 96 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   8,66" / 220 mm   4,72" / 120 mm      7,28" / 185 mm
   2nd:   3,54" / 90 mm         -               -
   3rd:   0,98" / 25 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2,13" / 54 mm, Conning tower: 9,84" / 250 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 48 000 shp / 35 808 Kw = 24,80 kts
   Range 11 500nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3 815 tons

Complement:
   757 - 985

Cost:
   £1,680 million / $6,721 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1 041 tons, 6,0 %
   Armour: 4 703 tons, 27,0 %
      - Belts: 2 207 tons, 12,7 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0 %
      - Armament: 1 264 tons, 7,3 %
      - Armour Deck: 1 089 tons, 6,3 %
      - Conning Tower: 143 tons, 0,8 %
   Machinery: 2 182 tons, 12,5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 6 074 tons, 34,9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3 125 tons, 17,9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 300 tons, 1,7 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     18 828 lbs / 8 540 Kg = 21,7 x 12,0 " / 305 mm shells or 2,2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,13
   Metacentric height 4,1 ft / 1,2 m
   Roll period: 15,7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,73
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,13

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0,552
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,96 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 22,91 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3,28 ft / 1,00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      25,20 ft / 7,68 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   20,34 ft / 6,20 m
      - Mid (65 %):      20,34 ft / 6,20 m (12,47 ft / 3,80 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   12,47 ft / 3,80 m
      - Stern:      12,47 ft / 3,80 m
      - Average freeboard:   17,97 ft / 5,48 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88,6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 124,9 %
   Waterplane Area: 27 699 Square feet or 2 573 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 98 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 146 lbs/sq ft or 712 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,93
      - Longitudinal: 1,81
      - Overall: 1,00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

[Borys]

Ahoj!
I like the B18-2 study.
Borys

[Korpen]

Ahoj!
I like the B18-2 study.
Borys

So did I ;D
So that study became the basis for the second Jacob van Heemskerck-class battleships (SS-report and picture under Battleships in the Netherlands section).

IMHO, one of the most powerful ships under construction or in service anywere in the world.

[Borys]

IMHO, one of the most powerful ships under construction or in service anywere in the world.

The KuKK agrees - and the next Schlachtschiff will be very similar ...
Borys

[Korpen]

The KuKK agrees - and the next Schlachtschiff will be very similar ...
Borys

Plagiarism, the highest form of praise ;)

I changed the picture of Leopold to one post-refit. (Mainly because it looks better in a strange sort of way).

[Korpen]

One among many.
A potential candidate for the next stage in the upgrade of the battle line. The choice is to either build one of these ship (or something very much like it) or two 14kton battlecruisers, ships with a top speed of 25kts, 8x30cm guns and 21cm armour.
The argument for building a battleships is that it will likely be one of the most powerful vessels in the world, adding prestige to the Netherlands, but also that it together with the battleships under construction will for a new powerful core to the fleet.

There are some special details with the armour scheme, but details for those (and drawings) will wait until a ships is laid down.

Wilhelmina der Nederlanden, Netherlands BB laid down 1909

Displacement:
   22 500 t light; 24 222 t standard; 26 175 t normal; 27 738 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   549,53 ft / 538,06 ft x 88,58 ft (Bulges 91,86 ft) x 28,41 ft (normal load)
   167,50 m / 164,00 m x 27,00 m (Bulges 28,00 m)  x 8,66 m

Armament:
      10 - 13,78" / 350 mm guns (5x2 guns), 1 322,77lbs / 600,00kg shells, 1909 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts
      18 - 4,72" / 120 mm guns in single mounts, 52,91lbs / 24,00kg shells, 1909 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, all amidships, 6 raised mounts - superfiring
   Weight of broadside 14 180 lbs / 6 432 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   13,0" / 330 mm   360,89 ft / 110,00 m   13,12 ft / 4,00 m
   Ends:   3,35" / 85 mm   177,17 ft / 54,00 m   9,84 ft / 3,00 m
   Upper:   8,27" / 210 mm   360,89 ft / 110,00 m   8,20 ft / 2,50 m
     Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
      1,57" / 40 mm   360,89 ft / 110,00 m   29,36 ft / 8,95 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   13,8" / 350 mm   7,09" / 180 mm      13,0" / 330 mm
   2nd:   4,92" / 125 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2,76" / 70 mm, Conning tower: 12,99" / 330 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 34 492 shp / 25 731 Kw = 21,10 kts
   Range 8 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3 516 tons

Complement:
   1 028 - 1 337

Cost:
   £2,480 million / $9,921 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1 754 tons, 6,7 %
   Armour: 9 760 tons, 37,3 %
      - Belts: 3 988 tons, 15,2 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 617 tons, 2,4 %
      - Armament: 3 042 tons, 11,6 %
      - Armour Deck: 1 866 tons, 7,1 %
      - Conning Tower: 247 tons, 0,9 %
   Machinery: 1 568 tons, 6,0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 9 068 tons, 34,6 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3 675 tons, 14,0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 350 tons, 1,3 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     30 945 lbs / 14 036 Kg = 23,7 x 13,8 " / 350 mm shells or 5,2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,10
   Metacentric height 5,0 ft / 1,5 m
   Roll period: 17,3 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 48 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,62
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,13

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0,652
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5,86 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23,20 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 41
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 25,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      24,61 ft / 7,50 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   19,69 ft / 6,00 m
      - Mid (65 %):      16,40 ft / 5,00 m (13,12 ft / 4,00 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13,12 ft / 4,00 m
      - Stern:      13,12 ft / 4,00 m
      - Average freeboard:   17,04 ft / 5,20 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 94,5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 112,1 %
   Waterplane Area: 36 591 Square feet or 3 399 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 179 lbs/sq ft or 876 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,95
      - Longitudinal: 1,47
      - Overall: 1,00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

Any feedback, on design, layout or drawing is GREATLY appreciated!

[Korpen]

The battlecruiser candidate (no drawing yet :(). They have excellent range, and unmatched sustained speed, making them excellent economy of force ships.
However, their guns lack the punch of the battleship, and their armour leaves quite allot to be desired. The upper belt is in fact more an extension of the main belt, and it does not protect the secondary's.

Both classes under consideration reverts to 12cm secondaries, as that allows more barrels to be carried, as well as offering a higher ROF, to despite the less destructive shells, the close in defence effect should be increased.

Type XXXI, Netherlands BC laid down 1909

Displacement:
   14 008 t light; 15 037 t standard; 17 050 t normal; 18 660 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   541,83 ft / 541,83 ft x 75,46 ft x 26,90 ft (normal load)
   165,15 m / 165,15 m x 23,00 m  x 8,20 m

Armament:
      8 - 12,01" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 903,90lbs / 410,00kg shells, 1909 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline, evenly spread, 1 raised mount
     Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
      16 - 4,72" / 120 mm guns in single mounts, 52,91lbs / 24,00kg shells, 1909 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, all amidships
   Weight of broadside 8 078 lbs / 3 664 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150
   1 - 17,7" / 450 mm submerged torpedo tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   8,27" / 210 mm   328,08 ft / 100,00 m   11,48 ft / 3,50 m
   Ends:   2,95" / 75 mm   213,71 ft / 65,14 m   9,84 ft / 3,00 m
   Upper:   5,91" / 150 mm   328,08 ft / 100,00 m   6,04 ft / 1,84 m
     Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   8,27" / 210 mm   4,72" / 120 mm      7,09" / 180 mm

   - Armour deck: 2,13" / 54 mm, Conning tower: 5,91" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 48 000 shp / 35 808 Kw = 25,00 kts
   Range 11 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3 623 tons

Complement:
   745 - 969

Cost:
   £1,612 million / $6,446 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 971 tons, 5,7 %
   Armour: 4 365 tons, 25,6 %
      - Belts: 2 102 tons, 12,3 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0,0 %
      - Armament: 1 064 tons, 6,2 %
      - Armour Deck: 1 114 tons, 6,5 %
      - Conning Tower: 84 tons, 0,5 %
   Machinery: 2 182 tons, 12,8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 6 165 tons, 36,2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3 042 tons, 17,8 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 325 tons, 1,9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     17 701 lbs / 8 029 Kg = 20,4 x 12,0 " / 305 mm shells or 2,2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,10
   Metacentric height 3,9 ft / 1,2 m
   Roll period: 16,0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,72
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,07

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0,543
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7,18 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23,28 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
   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:      22,97 ft / 7,00 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   19,69 ft / 6,00 m
      - Mid (60 %):      16,40 ft / 5,00 m (13,12 ft / 4,00 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13,12 ft / 4,00 m
      - Stern:      13,12 ft / 4,00 m
      - Average freeboard:   16,67 ft / 5,08 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88,8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 117,0 %
   Waterplane Area: 28 335 Square feet or 2 632 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 148 lbs/sq ft or 722 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,95
      - Longitudinal: 1,57
      - Overall: 1,00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

Again, all kinds of feedback would be warmly welcomed.

[maddox]

The French point of view on the Wilhelmina der Nederlanden proposal.

The long range and high speed of these ships have advantages for a large widespread empire as the Netherlands.  But it sacrifices the ability to take a punch and keep on going. Especialy because the oil firing. Coal fired ships have a larger damage soak capacity.

The stepped hull and the low positively angled bow are invitations for green water over the bow, and therefor over the forward main guns.
The wet forward is compounded by the "adequate" room for everything.
It's like living  in an appartment for a family, but then with 4 adults. The wet forward and the fact everybody and thing has "just" enough space combined with the long range will wreak havoc on the crew moral.
It's unimaginable that a modern French Marine National vessel doesn't have things like individual heads for the officers rooms. Just to give an example.

The business end of this large ship, the main guns. All 10 of them. There is a distinct advantage by having a lot of large guns.
But isn't this offset by raising the B and Y turrets? It means a huge slab of armor rises trough the armor deck. To what benefit, having a 4 gun straight forward or astern line of fire. With a course change of 25° all deck level guns, from bow to stern  can engage. Just a swing of the rudder, or 100's of tons of expensive, exposed magazine waiting to be hit.

But the very feeble secundary, and only other guns, the strange sized 120mm casemated peashooters are to small to engage cruisers, and to large to keep dedicated torpedo boat attacks at bay.