The Drydock - Episode 119

Not sure if it was answered, so a previous question: (Alternate History) What if Admiral Scott commanded the task force on the night action of Nov 13th, instead of Callahan? Would his prior combat experiences have contributed to a different ending to that night's battle? If it was answered (someone please tip me which video if so 😃), A different question. (Q&A) Could you go over the USS Hornet's flight to nowhere from the Battle of Midway? Thanks!

Jonathan Welch

I've heard you talk about the Royal Navy between 1642-1646 before, now I am curious to know what Oliver Cromwell's relationship to them was? My understanding is that he oversaw a doubling of the number of hulls and the so-called "Western Design" happened under his protectorate. Can you elaborate?

Matt Osborne

Oh, and whilst I'm asking dumb newbie questions, why did you select the non-word "histriographer" rather than "historiographer"? Given your attention to detail, I'm sure there's a reason...

I'm a bit of a newbie, so forgive me if this is just "common knowledge"... is there a list of guides somewhere with links?

Q&A: Im interested in Alt Histories around Aotearoa (New Zealand). If Aotearoa modernised and built an empire similar to Japan, what the best way to build there navies. Mainly asking about what to do if you have man power shortages, but relatively well off economy. Aotearoa has Iron sands, large coal reserves and most of the minor industrial metals, plus gold/silver. Also a decent agriculture and fishing sector.

Q&A: Could you tell us about the Walter U boats, an more specifically how the engines actually work, I understand the RN had one after the war and were rather unimpressed. Thanks.

Q&A: I was watching the youtube channel on the New Jersey that mentioned some of the critiques the US Navy had on the Iowas, some of the modifications that could have been included in future vessels if the class continued to be built included an all welded hull, eliminating the heavy armored copula on the bridge, shorting the citadel by merging the stacks into one; had would you take advantage of the tonnage that these changes would free up; I believe the copula alone was equal to a main turret.

Robert Henry Illston

Tell everybody about the drunken invasion of the USA forces at Whitehaven which is still celebrated every year in Whitehaven by the US navy / coast visiting and the town hall flying the stars and stripes. regards

John Hargreaves

The other interesting thing about building ship/boat multiples is the running costs - a lot of people forget the in service costs which are reduced by increasing the number in the class. For example (although higher technology and thus service cost) the nuclear attack boats cost three times the amount of build cost to keep in service for their life build (20 years or so), there are circumstances as have been discussed on keeping these longer in service; by even smaller less demanding ships building multiple units the service cost does come down substantially and saves much more during the service life of a warship and the units are near enough interchangeable. regards

John Hargreaves