The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 725 - 545: Backup Design

"As far as I know, the Nagato-class battleship being built by the Island Nation has already broken through 40,000 tons, so why does our warship still only have a displacement of around 30,000 tons?" Arthur looked at the chief designer of the warship with curiosity and asked the doubts in his heart.

"Your Majesty, due to the naval restrictions, we avoided having our under-construction warships be forcibly dismantled, so the R107 battleship’s displacement was designed to be about 33,000 tons. But we also have a backup plan." Richard Harding Davis, the chief designer of the R107 battleship, took out the long-prepared backup design and explained.

Arthur nodded, took the design, and was instantly attracted by the data marked on it.

Calling it a backup design is actually more like the design of a new battleship.

This is the 108th design draft, so its natural code name is the R108 battleship.

Compared to the 33,000-ton standard displacement of the R107 battleship, the R108 seemed like a huge fatty, with its tonnage increased to 45,300 tons.

With a standard displacement of 45,300 tons and a full-load displacement of 53,500 tons, these numbers would undoubtedly be considered massive among all other nations’ main battleship designs around the world.

The R108 battleship is 245 meters long, 31.1 meters wide, and has a draft of more than 10 meters.

With such a behemoth, the protection capability of the battleship is greatly enhanced.

Compared to the R107 battleship, the R108 battleship has a side armor thickness of 381 millimeters, and even the deck armor thickness reaches 203 millimeters.

Keep in mind, the deck armor thickness of the United Kingdom’s main battleships during World War I was less than 100 millimeters. This armor protection capability has almost doubled, which is the real reason for the R108 battleship’s standard displacement of 45,300 tons.

The protection capacity of the R108 battleship is not limited to a single location, but has been strengthened in a comprehensive way throughout the vessel.

The frontal armor thickness of the gun mount and turret ranges from 387 to 408 millimeters, and the thinnest part of the connection also reaches 305 millimeters.

Although the armor thickness of the command tower is slightly thinner, the thickness on both sides also reaches 356 millimeters, and the frontal thickness is 305 millimeters.

Even more exaggerated is the firepower system of this battleship.

Both the United Kingdom and Australasia knew about the research on 18-inch main guns, and Australasia was even a part of this research.

On this behemoth, it is also naturally expected to be equipped with three triple-mount 18-inch 45 caliber guns (457 millimeters).

Keep in mind that even the Nagato-class battleship of the Island Nation, which has already been exposed, only has a firepower system with 16-inch caliber guns (410 millimeters).

If the R108 battleship were truly equipped with 18-inch guns, there would be no doubt that it would be a crushing advantage in firepower over other countries’ battleships.

In addition to the main guns, the caliber of the secondary guns and the number of anti-aircraft guns have also been greatly strengthened.

"Under normal circumstances, starting the construction of two battleships at the same time should guarantee completion within a year and a half. If we devote some manpower to focus on building the R108 battleship, we can start construction on three of them simultaneously and have them launched before mid-1922." Richard Harding Davis considered this carefully for a long time before giving an answer.

Who says that a technical expert like Richard doesn’t have ambition? As long as he can ensure that the battleships are completed within two years, Richard also wants to build more of them. After all, the design of these battleships is his painstaking effort, and he naturally hopes to see more ships of the same class built and sailing on the vast blue ocean.

"Mid-1922?" Upon hearing this, Arthur’s expression became a bit more serious. After pondering for a while, he finally said, "Then let’s start construction on three of them at the same time! Notify the Sydney Royal Shipyard to commence the construction of the R108 class battleships immediately. They must be launched and tested before mid-1922.

If there are any issues, they can turn to the government or Butler Kent. During the battleship construction period, all issues will be prioritized. Mr. Richard, I entrust you with the heavy responsibility of the nation. I appoint you as the Chief Constructor for the R108 battleships, fully responsible for the construction of the new battleships in cooperation with the Sydney Shipyard.

The naming and testing of the battleships will be postponed. I hope to see the completion of three enormous battleships within two years."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will definitely not let you down. I will notify the Sydney Shipyard immediately." Richard Harding Davis’s face flushed with excitement as he stood up and said eagerly.

With a wave of his hand, Arthur let Richard go and do his own thing and decided to end his trip in Melbourne.

Now that the Melbourne Shipyard has more important matters at hand, there is no need for Arthur to disturb them any further.

Both the R107 and R108 battleships have fully taken into account British warship designs in their design plans, even with the help of the British. The overall design concept is quite reliable.

If Arthur remembers correctly, the Nagato Battleship, known as the most powerful battleship of this era from the Island Nation, has a displacement of around 40,000 tons.

Due to the technical limitations of the Island Nation, equipping the Nagato-class battleship with 410mm 16-inch main guns is already quite difficult. It is impossible to equip 18-inch main guns.

Despite that, the Nagato-class battleship is considered one of the most powerful battleships in the world at this point in time, in 1920.

If Arthur is not mistaken, the maximum power of the Nagato-class battleship seems to have exceeded 80,000 horsepower, with a navigation speed of 26 knots.

However, people from the Island Nation are not fools. They would not reveal the true speed of their Nagato-class battleship.

Both in history and in the present, the Island Nation has concealed some of the data of the so-called most powerful battleship, whose reputation is well-established and is soon to complete sea trials and be commissioned.

In official data announcements by the Island Nation, the maximum speed of the Nagato Battleship is only 23 knots, and its power is only around 58,000 horsepower.

Arthur’s decision to retain the designs of the R107 and R108 battleships also stems from a similar way of thinking to the people of the Island Nation.

Even if the Naval Limitation Treaty is signed ahead of schedule, the data of the R108 battleship being built in Australasia can be temporarily concealed, and replaced with the data of the R107 battleship.

Both battleships look similar in appearance as they originate from the same designer. As long as the secrecy work is done well, it may even successfully deceive others.

Of course, the best news would be that all three R108 battleships are launched and tested before the treaty is signed. In this case, other countries would have no excuse, and Australasia can legitimately equip these three powerful battleships.