The Drydock - Episode 047

Q&A - Question for Drydock: I posted somewhere about a question regarding a what-if, specifically, "what if the Atlanta-class AA light cruisers were built on the hull of the Brooklyn/Cleveland class of light cruisers. Well, since then, I've done as I'd suggested, built a model of the prototype I asked about. Three twin superfiring 5"38 turrets fore and aft, and the same four wing turrets found on the Cleveland. As an AA cruiser, I concluded that she wouldn't need the spotting aircraft, catapults and crane - however, instead of adding more 5"38 twin turrets at the stern, I'd put in two quad 40mm Bofors, one in place of each catapult. This hypothetical vessel would solve the excessive topweight the Atlanta class AA cruisers suffered from. Trading triple 6" turrets for twin 5"38s will significantly reduce the top-weight, and the trade-off between catapults and crane for the two quad-40s is pretty much a wash. So, my question, Drach, whatcha think, sirs?

Question for Drydock: Several histories note that FDR had a big role in shaping the USN's equipment, effectively pushing through the creation of the DE and the CVE, in spite of Navy leadership's negative reactions (I think he did the same with the Liberty ships, but I'm not sure). Question: How sound was FDR's judgment? And if it was sound, why was the USN leadership against these vessels, which seemed to have done a lot toward winning the war. Also did he have similar influence in taking a double-handful of Cleveland Class cruiser hulls and turning them into light fleet carriers? Or was that already on the books with the Navy's leadership. Inquiring minds want to know.

I'd like to suggest that you profile the USS Montpelier, CL-57, one of the early round-bridge Cleveland class light cruisers. She served in the war pretty-much non-stop from the end of the Guadalcanal campaign through the end of the war. She earned 13 battle stars, and served as Tip Merrill's flagship at Empress Augusta Bay, a decisive night-combat win for America. She shrugged off one Kamikaze and dodged several others, and pretty much exemplified the power and balance of the Cleveland Class, which traded three six inchers (from the Brooklyns) for more 5' 38s in twin turrets, and lots of 20 and 40 mm guns. She was the subject of a book: Pacific War Diary, 1942-1945: The Secret Diary of an American Sailor (that has a foreword by Admiral Nimitz and remains in print 60 years after initial publication). Thanks for your consideration.

I've just now joined, after spending the holiday listening to your episodes non-stop. Thanks for all that information!

IIRC, those invincible class BC got steam up in about 30 minutes at the Falklands when Von Spee appeared on the horizon.

Paul from Chicago

HI Drac, love your chanel! Question I have for the Dry Dock is this. How long did it take a Dreadnought Battleship to get up to full steam? I would be interested in the diffrence between a triple expansion engine to a turbine on say HMS dreadnought to a Queen Elizabeth to Vanguard or Iowa .

Bismarck could just sail into the eye of the wind and win. Always - 100/100. No shell of SOL time period would pierce even the unarmoured sections of Bismarck. HE small caliber shells are accurate beyond maximum range of cannon and would obliterate even mahogany San Trinidad, live oak Constitution, etc. There is no circumstance under which even the entire French and English combined sailing fleets could defeat Bismarck, unless they caught it in harbour while its engines were in a state of extreme maintenance. Then maybe they could board it and light a main magazine on fire or something. But the Bismarck sailors would still have repeating small arms.

Paul from Chicago

It does rais some interesting questions. is there 'Any' cannon shot that wouldn't just bounce off the Bismark? How many wooden rafts can the bismark target at the same time? etc. lol. If the weather goes south, the ships of the line may have an advantage as I doubt they would have much if any radar reflection off the wooden hulls. Hmmm.

ZarconDeeGrissom

I just thought of a great Q&A, lol. What ships of the line (fleet of a single class), have the 'best' chances taking on the Bismark. If that isn't cruel and unusual punishment, I'm not sure what is, lol.

ZarconDeeGrissom

time for a drink and a snack. B) I can appreciate holding off on funny entries, to be sure contestants can be asked permission first. There are plenty of real ships to poke fun at anyway. B)

ZarconDeeGrissom

The rum is quite literally at the ready. Let us dive in...

Matt Blom