07-10-2003, 04:11 PM
Was about one half that of the typical frigate of the day. (18 or 30 inches, memory fuzzy)The frames thus provided considerable "thickness" to the sides of the ship, making the freeboard exposed to cannon fire essentially its own thickness plus the thickness of the framing for the length of the ship. It was small wonder the shot tended to bounce off.
As to the design limits, at the speeds involved in sailing, the ship's length and bow wave can be significant factors in speed, or at least the potential top speed available.
The debate between speed and armament tradeoffs never ended.
"Give me a fast ship, for I intend to sail in harm's way." --attributed to John Paul Jones--
The problems for the Dreadnaught era ships, and for that matter the Iowa class battleships, was a design decision that had to adress speed, above water line armor, below waterline armor, and firepower/displacement tradeoffs. Even higher power density steam turbines, however, still ran into the "length to bow wave" relationships (influenced by beam as well, IIRC) as they achieved higher speed. Fastest ship of the line that I have ever heard of? The USS Enterprise, CV -65. Rumor has it that Soviet Alpha class, all titanium SSN's, could run faster. I wonder at the truth of the matter.
As recently as the Cold War, the US tended to go for speed, the Soviets a bit more for armor and armament, though the Gorshkov era cruisers and destroyers were plenty fast. Some of the heavier armed Soviet Cruisers were a bit more sea worthy in heavy seas, though I must caveat that comment by noting that class by class comparisons always suffer somewhat due to a variety of design decisions that influence ship's displacement.
It is instructive that the US went away from aluminum and back to steel in the recent Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers. I'd say the US Navy adopted an idea or two from the folks who worked for Gorshkov all those years, or were perhaps given pause at HMS Sheffield's aluminum superstructure having caught fire after the exocet attack.
As to the design limits, at the speeds involved in sailing, the ship's length and bow wave can be significant factors in speed, or at least the potential top speed available.
The debate between speed and armament tradeoffs never ended.
"Give me a fast ship, for I intend to sail in harm's way." --attributed to John Paul Jones--
The problems for the Dreadnaught era ships, and for that matter the Iowa class battleships, was a design decision that had to adress speed, above water line armor, below waterline armor, and firepower/displacement tradeoffs. Even higher power density steam turbines, however, still ran into the "length to bow wave" relationships (influenced by beam as well, IIRC) as they achieved higher speed. Fastest ship of the line that I have ever heard of? The USS Enterprise, CV -65. Rumor has it that Soviet Alpha class, all titanium SSN's, could run faster. I wonder at the truth of the matter.
As recently as the Cold War, the US tended to go for speed, the Soviets a bit more for armor and armament, though the Gorshkov era cruisers and destroyers were plenty fast. Some of the heavier armed Soviet Cruisers were a bit more sea worthy in heavy seas, though I must caveat that comment by noting that class by class comparisons always suffer somewhat due to a variety of design decisions that influence ship's displacement.
It is instructive that the US went away from aluminum and back to steel in the recent Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers. I'd say the US Navy adopted an idea or two from the folks who worked for Gorshkov all those years, or were perhaps given pause at HMS Sheffield's aluminum superstructure having caught fire after the exocet attack.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete