building a navy

[Argus]

I understand why the Swedes chose a two turret four gun layout, it was as much as they could get into the displacement available. But AFAIK for longer range naval gunnery in this period, 6 guns was really the minimum practical fit for an effective warship. 4 guns is just too limiting on salvo size/rate for good spotting, 4 shots is a good ladder salvo, but full broadsides (as in a 4 gun ship) limits the 'refresh rate' for spotting information. The alternative, fringing 2 gun salvos, dosen't produce a very effective shot pattern for spotting or getting hits.

 

So a 4 gun ship is moderatly acceptable in places where visability can be assumed to be limited, ie the North Sea, Baltic etc, most of the time. However it really is takeing a hefty handicap in good visability. A CDB might have half the gunpower of a BB, but it could be taken to be about 1/3rd as effective under certain conditions.

 

shane

[Bob B]

 

What a nice looking ship!

 

Finland built two costal defense ships that were smaller armed with for 254mm guns. These saw some action and one was lost to a mine during the Continuation War. The surviving ship ended up being handed over to the Soviets at the end of the war. They changed its description to a monitor. They are interesting designs but lack the elegant lines of the Swedish ship pictured above.

 

Since I am not sure about Mr. Aromaa's picture policy go here full details and pictures:

 

http://users.tkk.fi/~jaromaa/Navygallery/Coastal/coastal.htm

Edited September 7, 2005 by Bob B