WesWorld

Belgium's Navy was Kirk's playground and I can fully understand his desire to have some fun and try out things most nations with serious naval needs would not.

My two main concerns are size and coal.

Fleet Size
The fleet was built as a prestige showpiece and one that could be used to support LoN operations and showing the flag etc. To my knowledge this has never happened or has been publicised. In my mind a small fleet may have been sent to the DEI during the current Sino-Chosen War to support the Dutch, but realistically unless they are based in areas that have ample coal supplies their usefulness is limited.
The fleet is too big for Belgium's needs and my immediate thought is to reduce it. I may remove 2 of the Wandelaar Class and half of the current destroyer fleet (total eighteen). I may gift/ loan these to the Dutch, perhaps as a reaction to the current situation in the Far East or as some kind of political deal. All would need refits to oil-burning and the cost needs to be borne somewhere and its likely Belgium might foot the bill in return for things it needs.

Coal
DK in 'Nelson to Vanguard' in relation to the political desire to return to coal-burning battleships during the Depression era said the only cost effective means of using coal was to convert it into oil ashore. Kirk had the argument that the Waloon's demanded coal power to support the home industry, that seems odd given the home demands from the electricity and steel industries, both of far more economic value than a fleet that probably does not rack up many nautical miles a year. Also its imposing restrictions on the vessels, both operationally in in their design. I propose converting if not the entire fleet, then certainly the major vessels. Notably later vessels like CL-4 Wielingen have more oil capacity. Whether or not I decide to build dedicate coal conversion plants is another matter, Belgium's ally is awash with oil from various sources so its less of a serious issue.

New Construction
A replacement for Zinnia is on the cards. Otherwise the fuel conversion/ rebuild programme will take priority. Nine destroyers will be converted and rearmed as modern ships with DP guns etc. A few more minesweepers are also likely.
I had dreams of a Belgian sub, unlikely but if funds are there later on and I'm bored it might happen!

This looks a fairly down-to-earth approach to the challenges Belgium faces. If, however, you decide to build a synthetic oil plant, your friendly neighbors would be happy to cooperate with one using either the Fischer–Tropsch or Bergius processes.

Mexico was looking at developing a ~300t submarine, perhaps the Belgians would be interested in participating?

Dear Belgium,

We know submarines, and you know us.

Sincerely,
DCN (Direction des Constructions Navales)

Two proposed conversions.


My first proposed conversion to oil, buys an extra 2.16kts for King Albert and modernises some aspects but generally no armour improvements are required. This is not a priority but could be done either 1945 or 1946. This now becomes a potent heavy cruiser, a suitable coastal defence ship but also one that could fly the flag across the world too as an impressive flagship.


King Albert, Belgium Heavy Escort Cruiser laid down 1936 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
15,093 t light; 16,000 t standard; 17,960 t normal; 19,528 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
682.03 ft / 675.00 ft x 75.49 ft x 26.25 ft (normal load)
207.88 m / 205.74 m x 23.01 m x 8.00 m

Armament:
12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1935 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, evenly spread
12 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (6x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts
16 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (8x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1944 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, 4 raised mounts
20 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns (10x2 guns), 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1927 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread
Weight of broadside 5,325 lbs / 2,415 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 180
6 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 8.40" / 213 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 89 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead:
1.00" / 25 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 22.00 ft / 6.71 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 8.40" / 213 mm 3.00" / 76 mm 7.00" / 178 mm
2nd: 1.20" / 30 mm 0.50" / 13 mm 2.00" / 51 mm
3rd: 0.25" / 6 mm 0.25" / 6 mm -
4th: 0.25" / 6 mm 0.25" / 6 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.60" / 91 mm, Conning tower: 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 70,000 shp / 52,220 Kw = 29.16 kts
Range 13,000nm at 15.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 3,528 tons

Complement:
775 - 1,008

Cost:
£7.038 million / $28.152 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 666 tons, 3.7 %
Armour: 5,113 tons, 28.5 %
- Belts: 1,403 tons, 7.8 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 317 tons, 1.8 %
- Armament: 1,001 tons, 5.6 %
- Armour Deck: 2,288 tons, 12.7 %
- Conning Tower: 103 tons, 0.6 %
Machinery: 1,768 tons, 9.8 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,021 tons, 39.1 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,867 tons, 16.0 %
Miscellaneous weights: 525 tons, 2.9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
29,594 lbs / 13,424 Kg = 76.0 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 4.7 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
Roll period: 15.9 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.59
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.36

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.470
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.94 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 30.03 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 51
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 2.49 ft / 0.76 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 28.67 ft / 8.74 m
- Forecastle (25 %): 24.61 ft / 7.50 m
- Mid (50 %): 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Stern: 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Average freeboard: 20.60 ft / 6.28 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.6 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 147.6 %
Waterplane Area: 34,351 Square feet or 3,191 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 124 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 135 lbs/sq ft or 661 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.97
- Longitudinal: 1.37
- 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
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Refit Changes

Replacement of qaudruple 37mm with new twin Hazemeyer IV mounts
Addition of protection to 4.7in mount hoists
Modernisation of RDF suite with two gunnery, one aerial and one surface search set
Replacement of machinery with new 70,000shp powerplant with all oil-burning boilers
Speed increased by 2.16kts
Coal bunkers refitted for oil stowage
Refurbishment of internal fittings for life extension


***
Conversion to oil buys the Les Quatre Class some extra range and an extra gun (now all singles). I'm surprised that this base SS report was not to Kirk's usual high standards, it lacks any flare forward on the hull, no armour for the guns (plus is simmed as majority mounts forward when I assume the guns are like Fletcher or an RN Leader), too many 37mm and has the impression of being thrown together, rather than being a decent design. So I've corrected what I can with this rebuild, by no means a stellar design it should prove ample. Nine would be converted to this standard and nine would go to the Dutch, they would refit their ships differently and I'll work on that rebuild soon.


DD-1 Les Quatre Journees Class, Belgium Destroyer laid down 1939 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
2,115 t light; 2,203 t standard; 2,479 t normal; 2,700 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
402.54 ft / 393.70 ft x 42.65 ft x 11.48 ft (normal load)
122.69 m / 120.00 m x 13.00 m x 3.50 m

Armament:
6 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (3x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1939 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts
on centreline ends, majority forward, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (6x2 guns), 1.94lbs / 0.88kg shells, 1941 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
8 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns (4x2 guns), 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1939 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 337 lbs / 153 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 200
8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1.38" / 35 mm 0.59" / 15 mm -
2nd: 0.39" / 10 mm 0.39" / 10 mm -
3rd: 0.39" / 10 mm - -

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 51,400 shp / 38,345 Kw = 35.00 kts
Range 6,000nm at 15.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 496 tons

Complement:
175 - 228

Cost:
£1.585 million / $6.340 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 42 tons, 1.7 %
Armour: 20 tons, 0.8 %
- Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 20 tons, 0.8 %
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 1,165 tons, 47.0 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 767 tons, 31.0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 365 tons, 14.7 %
Miscellaneous weights: 120 tons, 4.8 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
964 lbs / 437 Kg = 18.6 x 4.7 " / 119 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.43
Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
Roll period: 11.2 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.15
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.00

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.450
Length to Beam Ratio: 9.23 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 22.94 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 69 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 22.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 21.88 ft / 6.67 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 21.88 ft / 6.67 m
- Mid (50 %): 21.88 ft / 6.67 m (14.53 ft / 4.43 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 14.53 ft / 4.43 m
- Stern: 17.81 ft / 5.43 m
- Average freeboard: 18.45 ft / 5.63 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 170.5 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 145.8 %
Waterplane Area: 11,126 Square feet or 1,034 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 81 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 38 lbs/sq ft or 186 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.50
- Longitudinal: 2.09
- Overall: 0.57
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Refit Changes
Replacement of five single 4.7in mounts with three twin mounts
Replacement of 37mm mounts with Dutch 40mm Hazemeyer twin mounts
Replacement of coal/oil-fired machinery with new all-oil powerplant
Conversion of bunkers to oil
Refurbishment of internal fittings for life extension
Addition of one surface search and one gunnery RDF set (Dutch)

The proposed rebuilding of the CL-1 Class in Belgian service. Unlike the Dutch rebuild, this has increased deck armour and more powerful secondary gun layout. It's still slow but no more extra HP can be shoehorned in. Perhaps not an ideal escort now for the King Albert which will have a much higher speed, but there is still the
Wielingen. As a training cruiser this should do well and in wartime it would make a decent escort convoy, though the seaplanes might need replacing by autogyros or helicopters by the end of the 1940s.


CL-1 Wandelaar Class, Belgium Escort Cruiser laid down 1935 (Engine 1944)

Displacement:
4,080 t light; 4,381 t standard; 5,014 t normal; 5,521 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
511.47 ft / 500.00 ft x 52.00 ft x 15.00 ft (normal load)
155.90 m / 152.40 m x 15.85 m x 4.57 m

Armament:
6 - 5.98" / 152 mm guns (2x3 guns), 110.23lbs / 50.00kg shells, 1923 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
12 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (6x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts
on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
8 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (4x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1944 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
14 - 0.91" / 23.0 mm guns (7x2 guns), 0.44lbs / 0.20kg shells, 1941 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 1,303 lbs / 591 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 250
12 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 2.90" / 74 mm 240.00 ft / 73.15 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 74 % of normal length

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 2.90" / 74 mm 1.20" / 30 mm 2.00" / 51 mm
2nd: 1.20" / 30 mm - -
3rd: 0.39" / 10 mm 0.39" / 10 mm -
4th: 0.39" / 10 mm - -

- Armour deck: 1.57" / 40 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 20,500 shp / 15,293 Kw = 24.57 kts
Range 8,500nm at 15.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 1,139 tons

Complement:
297 - 387

Cost:
£1.786 million / $7.144 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 160 tons, 3.2 %
Armour: 873 tons, 17.4 %
- Belts: 275 tons, 5.5 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 115 tons, 2.3 %
- Armour Deck: 483 tons, 9.6 %
- Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
Machinery: 523 tons, 10.4 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,062 tons, 41.1 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 935 tons, 18.6 %
Miscellaneous weights: 460 tons, 9.2 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
8,574 lbs / 3,889 Kg = 80.0 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
Metacentric height 2.7 ft / 0.8 m
Roll period: 13.4 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.39
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.42

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has rise forward of midbreak
Block coefficient: 0.450
Length to Beam Ratio: 9.62 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 22.36 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 44 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
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: 24.60 ft / 7.50 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
- Mid (50 %): 14.00 ft / 4.27 m (12.00 ft / 3.66 m aft of break)
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
- Stern: 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
- Average freeboard: 13.85 ft / 4.22 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 71.3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 93.7 %
Waterplane Area: 16,585 Square feet or 1,541 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 137 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 84 lbs/sq ft or 411 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.99
- Longitudinal: 1.10
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Refit Notes

Replacement of single 4.7in DP mounts with twin mounts, removal of aft lower pair
Replacement of twin 37mm with new model Schneider 37mm in Dutch Hazemeyer IV twin mountings
Replacement of 20mm cannon with 23mm FN-Madsen cannon
Addition of surface and aerial search RDF sets and one gunnery set
Addition of 20mm of deck armour on the main deck
Replacement of coal/oil-fired machinery with new all-oil powerplant and conversion of bunkerage
Refurbishment of internal fittings for life extension

Quoted from "Hood"

King Albert, Belgium Heavy Escort Cruiser laid down 1936 (Engine 1945)

Armament:
12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1935 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, evenly spread

Shouldn't there be 2 superfiring turrets?

Thanks for spotting that eltf177.
Here is a corrected version, stability has suffered a bit, but lowering the range has restored the hull strength figures.

King Albert, Belgium Heavy Escort Cruiser laid down 1936 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
15,454 t light; 16,361 t standard; 17,962 t normal; 19,242 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
682.03 ft / 675.00 ft x 75.49 ft x 26.25 ft (normal load)
207.88 m / 205.74 m x 23.01 m x 8.00 m

Armament:
12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1935 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
12 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (6x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts
16 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (8x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1944 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, 4 raised mounts
20 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns (10x2 guns), 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1927 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread
Weight of broadside 5,325 lbs / 2,415 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 180
6 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 8.40" / 213 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 89 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead:
1.00" / 25 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 22.00 ft / 6.71 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 8.40" / 213 mm 3.00" / 76 mm 7.00" / 178 mm
2nd: 1.20" / 30 mm 0.50" / 13 mm 2.00" / 51 mm
3rd: 0.25" / 6 mm 0.25" / 6 mm -
4th: 0.25" / 6 mm 0.25" / 6 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.60" / 91 mm, Conning tower: 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 70,004 shp / 52,223 Kw = 29.16 kts
Range 10,500nm at 15.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 2,881 tons

Complement:
775 - 1,008

Cost:
£7.105 million / $28.419 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 666 tons, 3.7 %
Armour: 5,208 tons, 29.0 %
- Belts: 1,403 tons, 7.8 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 317 tons, 1.8 %
- Armament: 1,096 tons, 6.1 %
- Armour Deck: 2,288 tons, 12.7 %
- Conning Tower: 103 tons, 0.6 %
Machinery: 1,768 tons, 9.8 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,288 tons, 40.6 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,508 tons, 14.0 %
Miscellaneous weights: 525 tons, 2.9 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
29,569 lbs / 13,412 Kg = 75.9 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 4.6 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
Roll period: 15.9 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.61
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.31

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.470
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.94 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 30.03 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 42
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 2.49 ft / 0.76 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 28.67 ft / 8.74 m
- Forecastle (25 %): 24.61 ft / 7.50 m
- Mid (50 %): 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Stern: 17.55 ft / 5.35 m
- Average freeboard: 20.60 ft / 6.28 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.6 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 147.6 %
Waterplane Area: 34,352 Square feet or 3,191 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 123 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 140 lbs/sq ft or 686 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.97
- Longitudinal: 1.36
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Refit Changes

Replacement of qaudruple 37mm with new twin Hazemeyer IV mounts
Addition of protection to 4.7in mount hoists
Modernisation of RDF suite with two gunnery, one aerial and one surface search set
Replacement of machinery with new 70,000shp powerplant with all oil-burning boilers
Speed increased by 2.16kts
Coal bunkers refitted for oil stowage
Refurbishment of internal fittings for life extension

No problem. I've always liked this design despite the slow speed, IIRC it was built in Australia for Belgium?

A replacement for the old Zinnia.
In peacetime a fishery patrol ship, in wartime as ASW escort for the cruisers (with equally low speed).

Zinnia, Belgium Fishery Protection Vessel laid down 1945

Displacement:
1,275 t light; 1,358 t standard; 1,546 t normal; 1,696 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
286.63 ft / 278.87 ft x 34.45 ft x 10.73 ft (normal load)
87.37 m / 85.00 m x 10.50 m x 3.27 m

Armament:
4 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns (2x2 guns), 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1935 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline ends, evenly spread
4 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1944 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
4 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns (2x2 guns), 1.55lbs / 0.70kg shells, 1944 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
8 - 0.91" / 23.0 mm guns (2x4 guns), 0.44lbs / 0.20kg shells, 1941 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 224 lbs / 101 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 400

Armour:
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.59" / 15 mm 0.98" / 25 mm
2nd: 0.39" / 10 mm 0.39" / 10 mm -
3rd: 0.39" / 10 mm - -

- Conning tower: 0.98" / 25 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 24,000 shp / 17,904 Kw = 28.23 kts
Range 8,500nm at 12.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 338 tons

Complement:
123 - 160

Cost:
£1.035 million / $4.142 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 28 tons, 1.8 %
Armour: 14 tons, 0.9 %
- Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Armament: 11 tons, 0.7 %
- Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
- Conning Tower: 3 tons, 0.2 %
Machinery: 585 tons, 37.8 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 469 tons, 30.3 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 271 tons, 17.5 %
Miscellaneous weights: 180 tons, 11.6 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
702 lbs / 319 Kg = 13.5 x 4.7 " / 119 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.20
Metacentric height 1.4 ft / 0.4 m
Roll period: 12.1 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.42
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.11

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has low quarterdeck
Block coefficient: 0.525
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.10 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 16.70 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 71 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 47
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 18.04 ft / 5.50 m
- Mid (50 %): 16.90 ft / 5.15 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 9.84 ft / 3.00 m (16.90 ft / 5.15 m before break)
- Stern: 9.84 ft / 3.00 m
- Average freeboard: 16.50 ft / 5.03 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 151.1 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 174.1 %
Waterplane Area: 6,550 Square feet or 608 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 95 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 35 lbs/sq ft or 171 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.50
- Longitudinal: 3.67
- Overall: 0.61
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Misc Weight
10 tons for aerial/surface search RDF set
20 tons for ASDIC
42 tons for 2x DC racks and 4x DCT for 48x DCs
8 tons for Hazemeyer IV mounts
50 tons for improved habitability
50 tons for growth

I find myself wondering if the proposed reconstructions of the destroyers and cruisers, particularly the King Albert, is worth it; certainly in the long run converting from coal to oil is a major gain, but the cost in the short term is quite high. Not only does it involve the cost of a Level 4 refit, but it takes a considerable time - the refit for the King Albert will take a year, half of which will be spent in dry dock. The program, if proceeded with, will be stretched out over a considerable period.

What else meaningful can I spend the tonnage on?

I have more than enough to do these ships and have a little spare, there might even be room to do some infrastructure work too.
For 1945 I can complete 1 CL conversion, the King Albert and 5 destroyers. Since I intend to flog 2 CL and 9 DD to the Netherlands that means the rest can complete in 1946. The destroyers need work anyway, since their design is pretty crappy IMHO.

Quoted from "Hood"

What else meaningful can I spend the tonnage on?

I have more than enough to do these ships and have a little spare, there might even be room to do some infrastructure work too.
For 1945 I can complete 1 CL conversion, the King Albert and 5 destroyers. Since I intend to flog 2 CL and 9 DD to the Netherlands that means the rest can complete in 1946. The destroyers need work anyway, since their design is pretty crappy IMHO.

I thought the point worth raising. If you've tonnage to burn and sufficient dock space, they will emerge much better ships.

I agree its a valid point, but I can't really think what else to do, even Kirk imagined some structural weakness in Wielingen to give her a rebuild. Her planned 1946 conversion to oil will be her second rebuild!
I could build replacement tonnage I suppose but I've got grave doubts Belgium really needs four light cruisers and eighteen destroyers and a super-CA. I could build a landing ship, but then would Belgium get much use from that? Everyone has jumped onto the submarine bandwagon I advanced earlier, its only a slightly crazy scenario at the moment but its worth thinking about in a defensive context.
I might build a second sister to the new Zinnia too. The patrol boats and MTBs have only recently been given refits, but by 1946 I will be looking at planning replacements. I might fill in a few auxiliary gaps too, tugs etc. Maybe even a small tanker.

Belgium does seem to be rather over-industrialized for its needs.

Options for blowing tonnage:

1) Start building yet another factory

2) Invest in overseas infrastructure - perhaps some League venture to improve the lot of poor NPCs.

3) Have the Belgians build up a League fleet train to support peacekeeping ops (transports, cargo ships)

4) Build Red Cross some hospital/disaster relief type ships.

Not bad ideas Rocky, except I'd hate to be funding the LoN alone and who would operate/ man the ships on a regular basis. More fleet train sounds a good idea though. If anyone wants to club in with Belgium to build LoN transports or hospital/disaster relief ships, let me know and I'm sure something could be worked out.