Dark Night

[mentat]

I don't have Internet access over the weekend - so this is my contribution for Halloween

Something you wouldn't want to meet on a Dark Night !!

thought started with - increasing talk about Quads - and the key point that Cruisers - esp. as they are getting faster are increasingly shedding Upper + End Belts - making large proportion of the ship very vulnerable

So why not put Main Battery in 2 or 3 Quads - and load up on a very powerful Secondary Battery as well.

They would be:

1. Very handy for Fleet actions - deal with AC/CA opponents and CL/TBDs at same time
2. Very nasty indeed to meet on a Dark night with action at close quarters
3. Fast version - very capable for Trade Protection/Chase down Raiders (but maybe bit overkill)

I have Tagged them Twin Battery Gun Cruisers - here goes:

Standard Version: 12k tons + 30 knots

Knife Fighter, BAE Twin Battery Gun Cruiser laid down 1918

Displacement:
   12,153 t light; 12,904 t standard; 13,959 t normal; 14,803 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   620.00 ft / 620.00 ft x 68.85 ft x 21.00 ft (normal load)
   188.98 m / 188.98 m x 20.99 m  x 6.40 m

Armament:
      8 - 8.66" / 220 mm guns (2x4 guns), 325.00lbs / 147.42kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 5.51" / 140 mm guns (2x4 guns), 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      12 - 5.51" / 140 mm guns (6x2 guns), 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on side, evenly spread
      6 - 2.56" / 65.0 mm guns in single mounts, 8.50lbs / 3.86kg shells, 1918 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      32 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns (8x4 guns), 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1918 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 4,367 lbs / 1,981 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 180
   8 - 22.0" / 558.8 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   5.00" / 127 mm   414.00 ft / 126.19 m   12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   2.50" / 64 mm      4.00" / 102 mm
   2nd:   3.00" / 76 mm   1.50" / 38 mm      3.00" / 76 mm
   3rd:   1.50" / 38 mm   1.00" / 25 mm      2.00" / 51 mm
   4th:   0.80" / 20 mm   0.50" / 13 mm            -
   5th:   0.80" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 81,460 shp / 60,769 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,899 tons

Complement:
   641 - 834

Cost:
   £2.585 million / $10.340 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 542 tons, 3.9 %
   Armour: 2,690 tons, 19.3 %
      - Belts: 1,041 tons, 7.5 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 477 tons, 3.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,097 tons, 7.9 %
      - Conning Tower: 75 tons, 0.5 %
   Machinery: 2,939 tons, 21.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,582 tons, 40.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,805 tons, 12.9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 400 tons, 2.9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     14,201 lbs / 6,442 Kg = 43.7 x 8.7 " / 220 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.08
   Metacentric height 3.3 ft / 1.0 m
   Roll period: 15.9 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.69
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle
   Block coefficient: 0.545
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.01 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 24.90 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 66
   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:      27.50 ft / 8.38 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   20.00 ft / 6.10 m (17.50 ft / 5.33 m aft of break)
      - Mid (50 %):      17.50 ft / 5.33 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   17.50 ft / 5.33 m
      - Stern:      17.50 ft / 5.33 m
      - Average freeboard:   18.60 ft / 5.67 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 102.4 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 132.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 29,652 Square feet or 2,755 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 105 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 127 lbs/sq ft or 622 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.98
      - Longitudinal: 1.19
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform


   And Faster version - 14 k tons: 31 knots + longer range

Dark Knight, BAE TWB Heavy Gun Cruiser laid down 1918

Displacement:
   14,326 t light; 15,128 t standard; 16,566 t normal; 17,716 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   645.00 ft / 645.00 ft x 72.50 ft x 22.75 ft (normal load)
   196.60 m / 196.60 m x 22.10 m  x 6.93 m

Armament:
      8 - 8.66" / 220 mm guns (2x4 guns), 325.00lbs / 147.42kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 5.51" / 140 mm guns (2x4 guns), 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      12 - 5.51" / 140 mm guns (6x2 guns), 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on side, evenly spread
      6 - 2.56" / 65.0 mm guns in single mounts, 8.50lbs / 3.86kg shells, 1918 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      32 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns (8x4 guns), 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1918 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 4,367 lbs / 1,981 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 180
   8 - 23.0" / 584.2 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   426.00 ft / 129.84 m   12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 102 % 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:   3.00" / 76 mm   1.50" / 38 mm      3.00" / 76 mm
   3rd:   1.50" / 38 mm   1.00" / 25 mm      2.00" / 51 mm
   4th:   0.80" / 20 mm   0.50" / 13 mm            -
   5th:   0.80" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 101,747 shp / 75,903 Kw = 31.00 kts
   Range 8,000nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,587 tons

Complement:
   729 - 949

Cost:
   £2.942 million / $11.768 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 542 tons, 3.3 %
   Armour: 3,174 tons, 19.2 %
      - Belts: 1,289 tons, 7.8 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 598 tons, 3.6 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,202 tons, 7.3 %
      - Conning Tower: 84 tons, 0.5 %
   Machinery: 3,671 tons, 22.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,539 tons, 39.5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,240 tons, 13.5 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 400 tons, 2.4 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     18,510 lbs / 8,396 Kg = 57.0 x 8.7 " / 220 mm shells or 1.9 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 3.7 ft / 1.1 m
   Roll period: 15.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.65
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle
   Block coefficient: 0.545
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.90 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25.40 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 61
   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:      30.00 ft / 9.14 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   25.00 ft / 7.62 m (23.00 ft / 7.01 m aft of break)
      - Mid (50 %):      20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   20.00 ft / 6.10 m
      - Stern:      21.00 ft / 6.40 m
      - Average freeboard:   21.93 ft / 6.68 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 100.7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 150.8 %
   Waterplane Area: 32,483 Square feet or 3,018 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 132 lbs/sq ft or 643 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.96
      - Longitudinal: 1.39
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform


   And a Large one - 12 x 240mm + same heavy secondary battery of 20 x 140 mm, + upgraded the armour

     - hefty on the Firepower: 7200lb broadside

Big Bowie, BAE Twin Battery Heavy Gun Cruiser laid down 1918

Displacement:
   15,767 t light; 16,890 t standard; 18,134 t normal; 19,130 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   677.82 ft / 665.00 ft x 75.00 ft x 23.35 ft (normal load)
   206.60 m / 202.69 m x 22.86 m  x 7.12 m

Armament:
      12 - 9.45" / 240 mm guns (3x4 guns), 425.00lbs / 192.78kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      4 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns (1x4 guns), 102.50lbs / 46.49kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in a turret (on a barbette)
     on centreline aft, all raised guns - superfiring
      16 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns (8x2 guns), 102.50lbs / 46.49kg shells, 1918 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on side, evenly spread, 4 raised mounts
      6 - 2.56" / 65.0 mm guns in single mounts, 8.50lbs / 3.86kg shells, 1918 Model
     Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      32 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm guns (8x4 guns), 0.50lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1918 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
   Weight of broadside 7,217 lbs / 3,274 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 180
   8 - 22.0" / 558.8 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   6.00" / 152 mm   439.00 ft / 133.81 m   12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
     Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   7.00" / 178 mm   3.00" / 76 mm      5.00" / 127 mm
   2nd:   3.00" / 76 mm   1.50" / 38 mm      3.00" / 76 mm
   3rd:   1.50" / 38 mm   1.00" / 25 mm      2.00" / 51 mm
   4th:   0.80" / 20 mm   0.50" / 13 mm            -
   5th:   0.80" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 4 shafts, 93,296 shp / 69,599 Kw = 30.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 12.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,240 tons

Complement:
   780 - 1,015

Cost:
   £3.555 million / $14.222 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 898 tons, 5.0 %
   Armour: 3,492 tons, 19.3 %
      - Belts: 1,329 tons, 7.3 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 792 tons, 4.4 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,282 tons, 7.1 %
      - Conning Tower: 89 tons, 0.5 %
   Machinery: 3,366 tons, 18.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,611 tons, 42.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,367 tons, 13.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 400 tons, 2.2 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     18,399 lbs / 8,345 Kg = 43.6 x 9.4 " / 240 mm shells or 2.0 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 %): 60 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.83
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle
   Block coefficient: 0.545
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.87 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25.79 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 56
   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:      27.50 ft / 8.38 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):   22.00 ft / 6.71 m (18.50 ft / 5.64 m aft of break)
      - Mid (50 %):      18.50 ft / 5.64 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   18.50 ft / 5.64 m
      - Stern:      18.50 ft / 5.64 m
      - Average freeboard:   19.64 ft / 5.99 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 101.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 137.5 %
   Waterplane Area: 34,645 Square feet or 3,219 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 102 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 149 lbs/sq ft or 728 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.98
      - Longitudinal: 1.21
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent


  I think the shift in balance between Main + Secondary armament is interesting idea - but guess will not be to everyones taste - thoughts welcome ....
   

[TexanCowboy]

Something along the lines of what I was thinking of for a lightweight 2nd class Confederate Cruiser, if I ever move.

[mentat]

Now you are in charge South of Dixie (  ;D Yeee  Haa ....  )  - you have some plans in this kind of direction?

[TexanCowboy]

Guinness has it highly structured until 1919, but then, I'll slip in a varient of this or a battleship.