Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

A BRITISH BATTLESHIP OF THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. DISPLACEMENT, 21,000 TONS; SPEED, 22| KNOTS ; ARMAMENT, TEN 12-INCH, FOURTEEN 6-INCH GUNS. THE WARSHIP OF THE FUTURE. BY ALAN H. BURGOYNE. "X AT THEN efforts are made to probe the future, we are frequently told that * ’ supposition is a folly and prophecy a madness. In an attempt to forecast the possible evolution of warship types, we have at least deduction to help us. The trend of modern ideas in regard to battleships is fully evidenced in the suggestion of the eminent French constructor, Maxime Laubeuf, who speaks of 26,000 tons displacement and eighteen 12-inch guns for a future battleship ; while the equally talented Italian naval constructor, Colonel Vittorio Cuniberti, suggests guns of 16’25 calibre or upwards for his ideal battle- ship of the immediate future. That battleships will increase in size, speed, and power to an extent as yet undreamt of is no longer doubted. Even a temporary reaction towards more moderate displacements-i-a reaction that might well be brought about by the endeavours of an active “ too-many-eggs-in-one-basket ” school—cannot affect the inevitable. It is well to emphasize the fact that but one thing can set a limit to the size of battleships—that is, the depth of water in harbours. Docks and money are not to be considered. The former are constructed to take ships, not ships to fit docks. Money also can be ignored. Doubtless in time the two million prime cost of the Dreadnought will increase to eight or more millions per unit. All nations whose purse proves inadequate to meet this drain will drop out of the contest for supreme power at sea, and leave the running to their richer oppo- nents. This is the true national game of “ beggar-my-neighbour,” a game that has been