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Strictly speaking not my first attempt at a SB drawing, but one I would value some feedback on.

So what's it all about? The year is 1911 and the Samudran Federation, hitherto a modest naval power, is suddenly worried about the military expansion plans of its neighbours. Its leaders would like to obtain modern dreadnought battleships, for reasons of prestige as much as deterrence, although they know they can't really afford them. But at the same time, they want something more powerful and more seaworthy than a coastal defence ship. The solution is this 'half-sized' dreadnought: a 16,500 ton vessel mounting only six 13.5' guns, but with speed and protection comparable to contemporary battleships (I can supply more complete technical specifications if anybody is interested).

But I need some help! I'm especially looking for assistance in the following areas:

1. The Basic Design: I'm 80-90% happy with the overall impression but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. And there are a few aspects of the design that I'm less happy with- I won't say which as I would be interested to see if other people pick up on them!

2. The Rigging: Obviously there isn't any. I tried adding some lines from the fighting top to the bow and stern, but they just looked amateurish so I removed them. Now I've stared at picture after picture of real ships of the period, but because I'm not entirely sure I understand the purpose of all those lines, I'm finding it hard to work out what I need. So I'm really hoping someone here can help...

3. The Details: I refuse to add detailing just for sake of adding detailing and so have only included what I feel is needed for the ship to function. Have I missed anything important? I would definitely like to include searchlights but can't find all that many obvious places for them, given that topside space is going to be tight in an undersized ship like this.

Needless to say, any other constructive comments or tips would be greatly welcomed!

Cant see your pic

that is an really interesting design. during WW1, most ships had forwardfiring and/or broadsidefiring as the most important thing. yours seems to be focussing on firing over the stern..... is there an special reason for that?

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Drawings are credited with J.Scholtens
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Your bow is very flat. I prefer a curve, but each to their own. (As is your aft or whatever its called)
Searchlights... the bask of your upper superstructure?

Absolutely no tactical reason whatsoever! In fact, I consider that one of the principle flaws of the design. The arrangement was dictated purely by the need to fit three large turrets on a short hull- a superfiring turret forward would have increased excessive topweight or required a reduction in freeboard, neither of which is desirable from the point of view of seaworthiness.
I take it you can see the image now!

With the bow, I wanted to get away from the usual ram and so adopted a straight stem. I'm not too bothered with that, but I do agree that the stern looks ugly and have been thinking about changing it.

By back of the upper superstructure, do you mean on the tripod mast? Because I was thinking about extending the lowermost platform in order to accommodate a searchlight. I suppose I could also have one on the top (not the fighting top, the platform above the lowermost windows)...would that be too high?

Yes I Can

I do mean there. Those platforms, one could easily hold a searchlight. Don't put it too high though.

It seems very blocky.

It's mostly radio aerials and a place to put signal flags.
Searchlights are an absolute must, since at the time they and starshells were the only means of conducting night combat.
As for detailing, there doesn't seem to be any way of entering the ship from deck level. You're also going to need ventilation points for the engine and accommodation spaces. A capstan on the quarterdeck wouldn't be a bad idea. Very useful when warping.
Some deck lockers for various equipment like damage control gear or even deck swaps wouldn't be out of place either. Drainage pipes from the platforms. Boat handling gear (dinghy booms, ladders etc)

Edit: I should also point out that getting the same speed as contemporary dreadnoughts isn't going to be easy, if possible at all. The natural speed for this hull is much lower than other contemporary dreadnoughts because its a whole lot shorter and you don't have anywhere near the same amount of space for engines and boilers.

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“Close” only counts with horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactical nuclear weapons.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

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Source Materiel is always welcome.

Thanks for all the help so far!


How about this? I've also added railings to the upper deck, which for some reason I neglected to do before.
The hull? The superstructure? Both? I suppose I'm less confident when it comes to building in curves!

I will see about altering the stern, at least though.
I'm not sure what sort of aerials would be needed back in 1911, though...
Understood...will add them.
Actually there are three entry points...unfortunately I had to put the ships boats in front of them. Speaking of which, do I need both boats, or can I get away with just the rearmost?
On the deck, yes?
Okay...will add one.
Hmm...I think I see what you're getting at, but I'll have to play around and see if I'm right.
That was my gut feeling too. But I calculated the design using Springsharp and apparently it does work...

Now the cynic that lives in me always wonders about the plausibility of programs like this, but as I lack the specialised expertise to judge whether the figures are accurate or not, I'm forced to accept them with a resigned shrug (at least until I have better information to go by).

All of it really, but mostly the hull.
RedHorse's BB-26 South Carolina is a good example of a period aerial outfit, despite the fact it's mounted on those hideous cage masts.
I'm not sure that's enough really. You'll have hundreds of people moving back and forth and more acutely, you'll be moving hundreds of tons of coal through there. I'd at the very least ad a hatch on the quarter deck.
You'll need them. Especially if these ships are going to serve as flagships. A lot of the time they'll be the only way of getting people ashore.
Yes.
Try posting the SS report.

_________________
“Close” only counts with horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactical nuclear weapons.
That which does not kill me has made a grave tactical error

Worklist

Source Materiel is always welcome.

Here's the SS report: