OF BATTLESHIP DESIGN. 101 
large displacement. It has also been shown how each element of a design can be 
benefited by an increase of displacement. Apart, however, from this gain, the 
larger ship possesses certain inherent advantages over the smaller one that more 
than outweigh the disadvantages due to size:— 
Greater concentration of armament. 
Better protection of buoyancy and stability by comparatively more minute sub- 
division. 
Greater protection by armor, because the thickness of armor need not be in- 
creased with displacement, and the same area will protect a greater tonnage. 
More economical propulsion. 
Greater radius of action. 
Greater sustained sea speed under all conditions of weather. 
Greater efficiency per gun due to the wide separation of turrets, machinery, 
magazines, etc., also on account of the greater safeguards it is possible to provide 
on the large ship with regard to the supply of power, ammunition and every other 
essential that serves the gun. 
Moreover, it is only large displacement which makes it possible to provide that 
adequate protection against underwater attack which is becoming more and more 
necessary and which cannot be provided with smaller displacements. 
These are the reasons that demonstrate so convincingly the value of the larger 
ship and that will force us inevitably to build larger and even larger units until such 
time as the improvement in submarine and aerial offense shall drive the present 
battleship type from the sea forever. 
DISCUSSION. 
THE PreEsipENT:—Gentlemen, you have heard this paper on “Military and Technical 
Considerations of Battleship Design.” It is now open for discussion. 
ProFEssoR W. Hoveaarp, Member :—I am much interested in this paper, especially as 
Mr. Gatewood is one of my former pupils. The arguments in favor of large ships are 
stated clearly and well, but the paper does not contain any discussion of contrary arguments. 
I will say at once that, as matters stand at present, I believe strongly in large battleships, and 
Iam going to present one more argument in their favor. I will show, moreover, that the 
most weighty and obvious objection to large size, the concentration of risk, does not bear 
logical investigation. 
The Speed-Armament Gauge——tThe battles of Dogger Bank and Faulkland Island, as 
well as several minor actions (Sydney-Emden) in the present war have demonstrated the 
enormous value of combined superiority in speed and gun power. In fact, a ship possessing 
the speed gauge and armored with guns of superior power—. e., guns that are effective at a 
greater range—can annihilate a weaker enemy at extreme ranges with relatively small risk 
to itself. This two-fold superiority, for which I venture to propose the name of “Speed- 
