WesWorld

One of the things I’ve been doing while internetless is playing a bit with Springsharp and some various different ideas for French ships. Yes, again. Maybe by the time I’m done with the game I’ll have simmed ships with pretty much every sort of conceivable variable.

This is another design family I’ve been working on this afternoon. The seed idea was to use a 274mm gun – basically, a new version of the old 1800s-era 274mm gun. Hanging with the traditional French penchant for all-forward quads (which I appreciate deeply) I determined to make the ship 8x274mm all-forward.

Nominally, this design falls in much the same vein as many of the various Armoured Cruisers which have appeared, with their 9-11” guns and high speed. The 274mm gun is at the upper end of that scale – it’s nearly an 11” gun – and I determined that my hypothetical ship ought to be protected well enough that it could stand a reasonable chance of mopping up an Armoured Cruiser. I determined that I wanted a belt, CT and turret face of no less than 20cm and preferably 24cm, and an armoured deck of at least 10cm. Due to the size of the hull, I determined that a TDS was desirable; my minimum value for that was 3cm.

Operationally, these ships could be useful in several different roles. French ships are designed to speeds of 29 knots, 32 knots, and 34 knots; and this is where most of the differences between the types appeared. A 29 knot ship, while slow for a heavy cruiser, would put them in the same speed category as the MN’s Richelieu class fast battleships. A pairing of two 8x38cm-armed fast battleships and two 8x27.4mm armed super-cruisers would be a pretty potent force, in my opinion. I did design a 34-knot version of the ship, but it turned out to be a bit larger than I feel is economical for a 274mm-armed vessel.

Although I desired all of the ships to fit into a 220m drydock, I determined that this wasn’t really useful for the faster designs.

Advantages:
- All of the designs I put together have a good balance of stability, steadiness, and seakeeping.
- Protection against 8” / 20cm gunfire at most combat ranges.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive for the caliber of gun used.
- 274mm gun, as per BigGun.exe, offers relatively few advantages in comparison to the 24cm gun already in French service, and does not justify the creation of a new caliber.

[SIZE=3]29-Knot Design, French Croisier de battaile laid down 1943[/SIZE]

Displacement:
20,809 t light; 21,834 t standard; 25,210 t normal; 27,910 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
737.01 ft / 721.78 ft x 82.02 ft (Bulges 85.30 ft) x 25.59 ft (normal load)
224.64 m / 220.00 m x 25.00 m (Bulges 26.00 m) x 7.80 m

Armament:
8 - 10.79" / 274 mm guns (2x4 guns), 705.48lbs / 320.00kg shells, 1943 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
12 - 3.94" / 100 mm guns (6x2 guns), 35.27lbs / 16.00kg shells, 1943 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships
24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (6x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.88kg shells, 1943 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
12 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1943 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 6,117 lbs / 2,775 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 10.6" / 270 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Ends: 1.38" / 35 mm 229.66 ft / 70.00 m 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
1.18" / 30 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 25.59 ft / 7.80 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 10.6" / 270 mm 5.91" / 150 mm 7.09" / 180 mm
2nd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
3rd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
4th: 0.59" / 15 mm 0.20" / 5 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.94" / 100 mm, Conning tower: 9.45" / 240 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines plus diesel motors,
Electric motors, 4 shafts, 86,440 shp / 64,484 Kw = 29.00 kts
Range 12,000nm at 18.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 6,076 tons

Complement:
999 - 1,300

Cost:
£10.550 million / $42.198 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 680 tons, 2.7 %
Armour: 7,839 tons, 31.1 %
- Belts: 3,029 tons, 12.0 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 550 tons, 2.2 %
- Armament: 921 tons, 3.7 %
- Armour Deck: 3,163 tons, 12.5 %
- Conning Tower: 175 tons, 0.7 %
Machinery: 2,232 tons, 8.9 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,607 tons, 38.1 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,401 tons, 17.5 %
Miscellaneous weights: 450 tons, 1.8 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
54,812 lbs / 24,862 Kg = 87.3 x 10.8 " / 274 mm shells or 9.0 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.20
Metacentric height 5.2 ft / 1.6 m
Roll period: 15.7 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.52
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.46

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.560
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.46 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 30.86 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 48
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 32.81 ft / 10.00 m
- Forecastle (25 %): 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
- Mid (50 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Stern: 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Average freeboard: 23.83 ft / 7.26 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 69.9 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 185.1 %
Waterplane Area: 43,429 Square feet or 4,035 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 139 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 150 lbs/sq ft or 731 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.97
- Longitudinal: 1.38
- Overall: 1.00
Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[SIZE=3]32-knot Design, French Croisier de battaile laid down 1943[/SIZE]

Displacement:
21,883 t light; 22,873 t standard; 26,355 t normal; 29,141 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
769.82 ft / 754.59 ft x 82.02 ft (Bulges 85.30 ft) x 25.59 ft (normal load)
234.64 m / 230.00 m x 25.00 m (Bulges 26.00 m) x 7.80 m

Armament:
8 - 10.79" / 274 mm guns (2x4 guns), 627.65lbs / 284.70kg shells, 1943 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
12 - 3.94" / 100 mm guns (6x2 guns), 30.51lbs / 13.84kg shells, 1943 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships
24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (6x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.88kg shells, 1943 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
12 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1943 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 5,437 lbs / 2,466 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
1.18" / 30 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 25.59 ft / 7.80 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 5.91" / 150 mm 5.91" / 150 mm
2nd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
3rd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
4th: 0.59" / 15 mm 0.20" / 5 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.94" / 100 mm, Conning tower: 9.45" / 240 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines plus diesel motors,
Electric motors, 4 shafts, 127,520 shp / 95,130 Kw = 32.00 kts
Range 12,000nm at 18.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 6,268 tons

Complement:
1,033 - 1,344

Cost:
£11.768 million / $47.072 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 680 tons, 2.6 %
Armour: 7,413 tons, 28.1 %
- Belts: 2,564 tons, 9.7 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 550 tons, 2.1 %
- Armament: 812 tons, 3.1 %
- Armour Deck: 3,307 tons, 12.5 %
- Conning Tower: 180 tons, 0.7 %
Machinery: 3,293 tons, 12.5 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,046 tons, 38.1 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,473 tons, 17.0 %
Miscellaneous weights: 450 tons, 1.7 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
47,217 lbs / 21,417 Kg = 75.2 x 10.8 " / 274 mm shells or 7.0 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
Metacentric height 4.9 ft / 1.5 m
Roll period: 16.1 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.47
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.560
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.85 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 31.44 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 56
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 32.81 ft / 10.00 m
- Forecastle (25 %): 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
- Mid (50 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Stern: 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Average freeboard: 23.83 ft / 7.26 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 83.7 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 187.1 %
Waterplane Area: 45,403 Square feet or 4,218 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 133 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 150 lbs/sq ft or 731 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 1.00
- Longitudinal: 1.28
- Overall: 1.02
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

[SIZE=3]34-knot Design, French Croisier de battaile laid down 1943[/SIZE]

Displacement:
23,575 t light; 24,663 t standard; 28,304 t normal; 31,217 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
802.62 ft / 787.40 ft x 82.02 ft (Bulges 85.30 ft) x 26.57 ft (normal load)
244.64 m / 240.00 m x 25.00 m (Bulges 26.00 m) x 8.10 m

Armament:
8 - 10.79" / 274 mm guns (2x4 guns), 705.48lbs / 320.00kg shells, 1943 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
12 - 3.94" / 100 mm guns (6x2 guns), 35.27lbs / 16.00kg shells, 1943 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, all amidships
24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (6x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1943 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
12 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1943 Model
Machine guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 6,117 lbs / 2,775 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 96 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
1.18" / 30 mm 492.13 ft / 150.00 m 25.59 ft / 7.80 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 5.91" / 150 mm 5.91" / 150 mm
2nd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
3rd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
4th: 0.59" / 15 mm 0.20" / 5 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.94" / 100 mm, Conning tower: 9.45" / 240 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines plus diesel motors,
Electric motors, 4 shafts, 165,336 shp / 123,341 Kw = 34.00 kts
Range 12,000nm at 18.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 6,554 tons

Complement:
1,090 - 1,418

Cost:
£13.051 million / $52.203 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 680 tons, 2.4 %
Armour: 7,564 tons, 26.7 %
- Belts: 2,571 tons, 9.1 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 550 tons, 1.9 %
- Armament: 820 tons, 2.9 %
- Armour Deck: 3,434 tons, 12.1 %
- Conning Tower: 189 tons, 0.7 %
Machinery: 4,270 tons, 15.1 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,612 tons, 37.5 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,729 tons, 16.7 %
Miscellaneous weights: 450 tons, 1.6 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
44,201 lbs / 20,049 Kg = 70.4 x 10.8 " / 274 mm shells or 6.0 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
Roll period: 16.6 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.54
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.13

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.555
Length to Beam Ratio: 9.23 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 32.03 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 62
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 32.81 ft / 10.00 m
- Forecastle (25 %): 27.07 ft / 8.25 m
- Mid (50 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Stern: 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
- Average freeboard: 24.05 ft / 7.33 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 92.9 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 185.6 %
Waterplane Area: 47,150 Square feet or 4,380 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 129 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 151 lbs/sq ft or 735 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
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

I don't think 29 knots will cut it if the intended prey is 32 knots or better - as many CAs are.

I like the faster designs; not really sure 34 knots is worth the tonnage, but the 32 knot ship is a reasonable compromise.

Looking at the three designs, the 29-knot ship seems a nice complement to a Richelieu, and if deployed as you suggest, 2 Richelieus and two 29-knot BCs, they would be a very potent surface action group.

Of course, any stray armored cruiser that ventured near such a force would taking a very great risk. But if it had time to flee, the 29-knot max speed of the SAG would give the opportunity to do so. I am with The Rock Doctor here - the 29 knot cruiser does not add that much to the SAG that the Richelieu doesn't alread provide.

The 32-knot ship seems better qualified for independent action, but it does come at a higher cost and is longer than the preferred 220 meter dock. Does it offer any significant advantages over other designs to justify that? I am doubtful. Moreover, as you say, the value of the larger gun caliber is minimal. But of the three designs, the 32-knot vessel seems to be the best balanced.

I think the 34-knot ship cost far more than the gain. But that is the advantage of comparative design studies - it compares and contrasts, and suggests a way forward.

that 8x274mm is enough of an overmatch to take on the modern generation of ACs without getting severe, perhaps crippling, damage in return. And if the SAG is outnumbered in BBs/BCs/ACs, which is very possible given widespread French commitments and low French capital ship numbers, then the situation could be grim. France still can't afford to sink an enemy AC if the cost is a crippled BC.

Though I'd do my best to be there with Soyuzes and Slavas to help out!

6x340mm would ensure that early hits penetrate and might produce an early cripple or two on the other side before the battle is decisively joined.

This was my thinking for putting 6x356mm on Khranitel.

A novel idea. I'd agree the 32 kts vessel is the best of the options. Though I share AdmK's reservations over the punch of the 274mmm, and if there is not much between it and the 24cm round currently used then the case for complicating the supply chain and the time needed to develop a new gun is probably not there.

Thanks. Yes, the 274mm gun I simmed in BigGun doesn't give all that much advantage in range and penetration over the 240mm gun that's going into the Jean Bart class. Pretty average sort of performance...

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
One of the things I’ve been doing while internetless is playing a bit with Springsharp and some various different ideas for French ships. Yes, again. Maybe by the time I’m done with the game I’ll have simmed ships with pretty much every sort of conceivable variable.

Heh, I know the feeling.
Just checking # of files, I apparently have done 399 vessels & their variants, not counting those actually built. Then I seem to have 157 planesharps, some of them variants A-L of a plane.

As for the ship, I've made similar designs- though I ended towards 6 guns, and it falls well inside the 1936 Dutch expectations.

That said, the more recent Dutch thoughts on the matter have concerned what they want in a "category B" capital ship, and they don't think overwhelming an 8" cruiser should be the goal. So I'm with Admiral K on the 6x340 being of more value.

Of the 3 presented, I'd see if the 32knt could be re-worked to fit a 220m dock, it will probably cost a few extra tons, and require the forecastle be extended, and a deeper draft, but enhances flexibility on far stations for refit & repair.

If the 8x274 is changed to 12x240, or 6x340 (Russ guns) what does it look like?

32-knot Design, French Croisier de battaile laid down 1943

The first thing I notice is poorer stability. The second is the ~40% increase in the weight of a main battery salvo. So somewhat worse at taking it, but a lot better at dishing it out.


Displacement:
23,152 t light; 24,431 t standard; 28,029 t normal; 30,907 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
744.87 ft / 721.78 ft x 82.02 ft (Bulges 85.30 ft) x 28.97 ft (normal load)
227.04 m / 220.00 m x 25.00 m (Bulges 26.00 m) x 8.83 m

Armament:
6 - 13.39" / 340 mm guns (2x3 guns), 1,322.77lbs / 600.00kg shells, 1943 Model
Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
16 - 3.94" / 100 mm guns (8x2 guns), 30.51lbs / 13.84kg shells, 1943 Model
Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
on centreline, all aft, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (6x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1943 Model
Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
on side, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts
12 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1943 Model
Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts
on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
Weight of broadside 8,475 lbs / 3,844 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 475.72 ft / 145.00 m 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Ends: Unarmoured
Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

- Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
1.18" / 30 mm 475.72 ft / 145.00 m 26.25 ft / 8.00 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 9.45" / 240 mm 5.91" / 150 mm 5.91" / 150 mm
2nd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
3rd: 0.98" / 25 mm 0.20" / 5 mm 0.20" / 5 mm
4th: 0.59" / 15 mm 0.20" / 5 mm -

- Armour deck: 3.94" / 100 mm, Conning tower: 9.45" / 240 mm

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 4 shafts, 133,139 shp / 99,321 Kw = 32.00 kts
Range 12,100nm at 18.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 6,475 tons

Complement:
1,083 - 1,408

Cost:
£13.770 million / $55.079 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 967 tons, 3.4 %
Armour: 7,379 tons, 26.3 %
- Belts: 2,484 tons, 8.9 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 546 tons, 1.9 %
- Armament: 1,029 tons, 3.7 %
- Armour Deck: 3,133 tons, 11.2 %
- Conning Tower: 188 tons, 0.7 %
Machinery: 3,438 tons, 12.3 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,917 tons, 39.0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,877 tons, 17.4 %
Miscellaneous weights: 450 tons, 1.6 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
42,869 lbs / 19,445 Kg = 35.7 x 13.4 " / 340 mm shells or 6.0 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.07
Metacentric height 4.2 ft / 1.3 m
Roll period: 17.5 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.85
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck
and transom stern
Block coefficient: 0.550
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.46 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 30.89 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 58
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 25.00 degrees
Stern overhang: 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
- Stem: 35.43 ft / 10.80 m
- Forecastle (20 %): 28.22 ft / 8.60 m
- Mid (50 %): 22.97 ft / 7.00 m
- Quarterdeck (15 %): 22.97 ft / 7.00 m
- Stern: 22.97 ft / 7.00 m
- Average freeboard: 25.38 ft / 7.74 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 91.5 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 182.9 %
Waterplane Area: 43,014 Square feet or 3,996 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 164 lbs/sq ft or 801 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.94
- Longitudinal: 1.68
- 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

Interesting Admiral K.
Fiddling with the closest version I have to such a vessel, I still came out with a version that displaces considerably more - 26.5k light, without the good seakeeping.

Looking at the vessels, I have somewhat better belt and main battery armor and a heavier secondary, but I also noted that the the Russian beam is a bit narrow for 340mm gun, even Normandie was broader, and my impression is she had a partial holding bulkhead, not a 3-4m deep TDS.

This does, however, answer my question - ramping up to 6x340mm means a considerable increase beyond Brock's apparent target size.

I'd still be wary of pitting a 6x 340mm BC against a Super-CA. Yes there's more punch but you've only got two turrets, loose one of them and its gonna get messy. Weight of fire probably has more advantages than pure broadside punch.

Also in the chase you only have three guns to engage the enemy ahead of you.

Quoted

Originally posted by Hood
I'd still be wary of pitting a 6x 340mm BC against a Super-CA. Yes there's more punch but you've only got two turrets, loose one of them and its gonna get messy. Weight of fire probably has more advantages than pure broadside punch.

Also in the chase you only have three guns to engage the enemy ahead of you.

Not if it's all-forward, as AdmK's design was.

Could go for the 3x2 layout, too - which puts four guns forward instead. Still...