Modern ships of war

by Sir Edward J. Reed; Edward Simpson

“Sir,—May I request the favor of space in the Times in which to comment upon the opinions recently expressed by Sir Edward Reed and other writers respecting the designs of the Admiral class of ships in the Royal Navy, and the four central-citadel ships which were laid down subsequently to the Inflexible?

“Having been closely associated with Mr. Barnaby in the designing of all these ships, with the exception of the Ajax and Agamemnon, I can speak with full knowledge of both the history and intentions of the designs.

“Moreover, my share of the responsibility for the professional work involved in those designs remains, although my official connection with the constructive department of the Admiralty was severed years ago. It need hardly be added that the remarks which follow simply embody my own opinions, and that I write neither as an apologist for Mr. Barnaby nor as a champion of the ship-building policy of the Admiralty.

“The sweeping condemnation which has been pronounced against the most recent English battle-ships is based upon the consideration of one feature only in their fighting efficiency, viz., the extent of the armor protection of their sides in the region of the water-line. There has been no discussion in the letters to which I have referred of the comparative speeds, armaments, or other qualities of the French and English ships. But the fact that the French ships are armor-belted from end to end, while the English ships have no vertical armor on considerable portions of the length at the region of the water-line, is considered by Sir Edward Reed so serious a matter that he says, ‘The French armored ships must in all reason be expected to dispose of these English ships in a very few minutes by simply destroying their unarmored parts.’

“From this opinion I most strongly dissent, for reasons which are stated below; and I venture to assert that if attention is directed simply to the possible effects of gun-fire, while the possibly greater risks incidental to attacks with the ram and torpedo are altogether neglected, then there is ample justification for the belief that the English ships of recent design can do battle on at least equal terms with their contemporaries in the French or any other navy.

“In all recent armored ships, if the wholesale and extremely rapid destruction of the unarmored portions of the ships which Sir Edward Reed contemplates actually took place, very considerable risks would undoubtedly result; but in my judgment these risks are not sensibly affected by the different distribution of the armor on the ships of the two great navies. And, further, there is every reason for doubting whether such wholesale destruction of the unarmored parts could be effected with the appliances which are now available, not merely in ‘a few minutes,’ but in a very considerable time, and under the most favorable conditions for the attack. Nor must it be forgotten that armor, even of the greatest thickness, applied to the sides or decks of ships is not impenetrable to the attack of guns already afloat, while the mitraille, which is driven back into a ship when armor is penetrated, is probably as destructive as any kind of projectile can be, and attacks directly the vital parts which the armor is intended to protect.

“In support of these assertions I must ask permission to introduce certain detailed statements which appear to be absolutely necessary to a discussion of the subject, but which shall be made as brief and untechnical as possible.

“It appears that the points raised by the discussion may be grouped under two heads. First, does the shortening of the belt in the English ships introduce such serious dangers if they have to do battle with the French ships? Secondly, what should be considered the principal uses of armor-plating in modern war-ships? The second question may be considered to include the first; but it will be convenient to take the questions in the order in which they have been placed, as, after all, the greatest immediate interest centres in the comparison between existing ships.

“At the outset it is important to remark that in the most recent designs of armored ships for all navies, increase in speed, armament, and thickness of armor has been associated with a decrease in the area of the broadside protected by armor. Further, it has been considered important in most cases to distribute the armored positions of the heavy guns in the ships in order to reduce the risks of complete disablement of the principal armament by one or two lucky shots which may happen when the heavy guns are concentrated in a single citadel or battery. This distribution of the heavy guns also gives greater efficiency to the auxiliary armament of lighter guns, and enables these heavy guns to be placed at a considerably greater height above water than was usual in former days, so that the chances of the guns being prevented from being fought in heavy weather are diminished, and their power as compared with the lower guns in earlier ships is increased, especially when firing with depression.