The QE's were also not completed yet.Fastest British dreadnought was the QE class, 25 knots vs. S&G at 20-22 knots. A single QE class ship alone at Coronel would be like HMS Warspite at Narvik, with Von Spee’s entire fleet quickly sinking. His only hope would be to rush his faster protected cruisers for a torpedo strike.
But that’s not really relevant, as we’re sending a predreadnought.
The QE's were also not completed yet.
Those on ocean liners did - but they weren't constrained by the need to operate under armour, which limited the height/length of the piston strokes. The units on Titanic, for example, could utilise a great deal more space, denied to warships whose engines had to utilise a more frantic tempo to produce the desired SHP.Reciprocating engines also really don't like operating at or near full power for long periods of time, whereas turbines can sustain high speeds as long as there is enough steam and lubrication.
Going to send anything by a couple BC then the best idea is to send the Dreadnought herself. She had started the whole new idea, but by fall of 1914 she was something of an old lady, albeit one with a big 'ol cane to deal with any whippersnappers who came along. She was not as fast as the Scharnhort and the rest of Spee's squadron, if they were fresh from the yard, but it had been a long time since the German ships had had a hull scrapping, so 21 knots would manage quite nicely.If the RN had spared either a Nelson or a King George then I doubt Spee would have fought, he'd have disengaged. Cradoc's ships were in as poor a state as the Canopus, crewed by old reservists or very young boys. Both Monmouth and Good Hope were old ships, both about 14 - 15 years old (same age as Canopus) and even if the Canopus had been there, the Monmouth and Good Hope were probably too slow to force an engagement if the Germans had chose to disengage. And with the risk of getting slapped by a 12-inch gun, they'd probably have not engaged. The Canopus was a guard dog and her chain was her slow speed, but Spee wouldn't have wanted to get close out of fear of her guns. Yes the (old) Twins out ranged her, but at that range they'd have issues getting through her armour. Which means getting close, and risking a 350lb AP bitchslap.
If the RN really wanted to fight then they'd have sent more ACRs. The best ACR's the RN had though were busy in the Med or as part of the Grand Fleet and were more valuable than the King Edwards, so really the 'best' candidate would have been a King Edward or two. Sure you can't catch spee, but if he blunders into you then he could be in trouble.
Hmmm... so I guess it’s the 21.5 knot Iron Dukes.The QE's were also not completed yet.
Hmmm... so I guess it’s the 21.5 knot Iron Dukes.
Each with 2 × single BL 9.2-inch (234-mm) Mk X guns, 12 × single BL 6-inch (152-mm) Mk VII guns and 21KnCressy, Hogue and Abouki
I know, but the person above asked what was the speed of dreadnoughts of the time. I already replied that was irrelevant to this thread.The Dukes aren't going to be risked on something like that.
What do you actually need to win?
Spee has 2 armoured cruisers and 3 light cruisers
S&G are the main issue have 22Kn (but probably less)
two x 8 × 21 cm (8.3 in) guns, 6 × 15 cm (5.9 in) guns
Dresden, Nürnberg and Leipzig are much weaker even if slightly faster 24,22,23Kn
each with 10 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns
Against,
2 armoured cruisers,
HMS Good Hope, 2 × single 9.2 in (234 mm) guns & 16 × single 6 in (152 mm) guns (weaker and older than S&G)
HMS Monmouth, 2 × twin, 10 × single BL 6-inch Mk VII guns (hopeless to S&G but should match off a CL)
1 light cruiser, HMS Glasgow 2x6" and 10x4" stronger and faster than any other CL
1 auxiliary cruiser, Lets forget that......
But how much do we need to help them before its actually decisive? I think we really only need say 3 more old AC
Each with 2 × single BL 9.2-inch (234-mm) Mk X guns, 12 × single BL 6-inch (152-mm) Mk VII guns and 21Kn
This would give two each against S&G (4x 9.2" v 6x 8.3" but massively more 6") and leave Monmouth and Glasgow to fight the three CLs I think it should be an RN victory or at least a destructive draw for both sides?
(But if I was 1st Sea Lord I would add a Warrior or Minotaur to make sure!)
They actually had 8 x 21cm guns each - two each side in single turrets. They're the midships mounts at main deck level.S&G are the main issue have 22Kn (but probably less)
two x 8 × 21 cm (8.3 in) guns, 6 × 15 cm (5.9 in) guns
I’ve read that the British 9.2” was one of Britain’s best naval guns.the British 9.2" (certainly the later model 9.2" is consistently described by one historian as "crapulent").
The sea state at Coronel left the Good Hope & Monmouth unable to use their secondary batteries mounted in casemates. The same would apply to the Bacchantes. And I believe the German 8.3" had longer range than the British 9.2" (certainly the later model 9.2" is consistently described by one historian as "crapulent").
This is sort of hijacking the thread from the OP, but I find this question more interesting. What did Craddock actually need to win?What do you actually need to win?
Spee has 2 armoured cruisers and 3 light cruisers
S&G are the main issue have 22Kn (but probably less)
two x 8 × 21 cm (8.3 in) guns, 6 × 15 cm (5.9 in) guns
Dresden, Nürnberg and Leipzig are much weaker even if slightly faster 24,22,23Kn
each with 10 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns
Against,
2 armoured cruisers,
HMS Good Hope, 2 × single 9.2 in (234 mm) guns & 16 × single 6 in (152 mm) guns (weaker and older than S&G)
HMS Monmouth, 2 × twin, 10 × single BL 6-inch Mk VII guns (hopeless to S&G but should match off a CL)
1 light cruiser, HMS Glasgow 2x6" and 10x4" stronger and faster than any other CL
1 auxiliary cruiser, Lets forget that......
But how much do we need to help them before its actually decisive? I think we really only need say 3 more old AC
Each with 2 × single BL 9.2-inch (234-mm) Mk X guns, 12 × single BL 6-inch (152-mm) Mk VII guns and 21Kn
This would give two each against S&G (4x 9.2" v 6x 8.3" but massively more 6") and leave Monmouth and Glasgow to fight the three CLs I think it should be an RN victory or at least a destructive draw for both sides?
(But if I was 1st Sea Lord I would add a Warrior or Minotaur to make sure!)
Hmmm... so I guess it’s the 21.5 knot Iron Dukes.
The Dukes aren't going to be risked on something like that.