You are absolutely right. But only from your 2010s sight.
No, but from what would be the best design in any situation: the Atlantic ocean doesn't recognise historic periods, but it would be unforgiving on any ship with the features you show. I don't see the logic on having such a low sponson; likewise the partly plated in bow, itself a lesson learnt the hard way by the USN postwar, after the RN already used it. It just looks weird having that large gap for no good reason. In a really heavy sea it would ship alot of water, and I would also be concerned about the structural integrity, having loaded the weight forward on the bow without protection further aft.
But if its is an aesthetic issue then its always your call