IJN, Post-1900

[Logi]

Given the proliferation of the French Super-Cruisers and the US Brandywines, the IJN has requested the construction of a similarly-capable cruiser.

The Asama-class is meant to fill the role, and derives from a much enlarged Naniwa cruiser. Instead of the old 260mm/35 gun, the Asama is to use the relatively more modern 250mm/40.

Limited procurement status is to be applied to the class and the first ship will start construction in 1900 H1.

Asama, Japan Heavy Cruiser laid down 1900

Displacement:
   9,000 t light; 9,777 t standard; 11,062 t normal; 12,090 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (393.70 ft / 393.70 ft) x 62.34 ft x (27.89 / 29.96 ft)
   (120.00 m / 120.00 m) x 19.00 m  x (8.50 / 9.13 m)

Armament:
      6 - 9.84" / 250 mm 40.0 cal guns - 456.93lbs / 207.26kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     3 x Twin mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      12 - 5.98" / 152 mm 35.0 cal guns - 100.46lbs / 45.57kg shells, 450 per gun
     Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      8 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 40.0 cal guns - 5.42lbs / 2.46kg shells, 600 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.46lbs / 0.21kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 0.43" / 11.0 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.04lbs / 0.02kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x 2 row decuple mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 4,011 lbs / 1,819 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   5.91" / 150 mm   328.08 ft / 100.00 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
   Ends:   2.95" / 75 mm     65.62 ft / 20.00 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
     Main Belt covers 128 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   11.8" / 300 mm   3.94" / 100 mm      5.91" / 150 mm
   2nd:   2.95" / 75 mm   1.97" / 50 mm      2.95" / 75 mm
   3rd:   0.59" / 15 mm         -               -
   4th:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.95" / 75 mm
   Forecastle: 1.97" / 50 mm  Quarter deck: 1.97" / 50 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.37" / 238 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 21,224 ihp / 15,833 Kw = 21.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,313 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   539 - 701

Cost:
   £1.055 million / $4.221 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 713 tons, 6.4 %
      - Guns: 713 tons, 6.4 %
   Armour: 2,367 tons, 21.4 %
      - Belts: 856 tons, 7.7 %
      - Armament: 514 tons, 4.6 %
      - Armour Deck: 898 tons, 8.1 %
      - Conning Tower: 100 tons, 0.9 %
   Machinery: 3,316 tons, 30.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,499 tons, 22.6 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,062 tons, 18.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 104 tons, 0.9 %
      - Hull above water: 50 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 29 tons
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     6,033 lbs / 2,736 Kg = 12.7 x 9.8 " / 250 mm shells or 1.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
   Metacentric height 3.5 ft / 1.1 m
   Roll period: 14.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.46
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.566 / 0.576
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.32 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.84 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 70
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  14.76 ft / 4.50 m,  12.47 ft / 3.80 m
      - Forward deck:   35.00 %,  12.47 ft / 3.80 m,  11.48 ft / 3.50 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  11.48 ft / 3.50 m,  11.48 ft / 3.50 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  11.48 ft / 3.50 m,  11.48 ft / 3.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      12.04 ft / 3.67 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 123.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 72.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 17,382 Square feet or 1,615 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 94 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 109 lbs/sq ft or 531 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.92
      - Longitudinal: 1.92
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Cramped accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

Above Deck: 25t
- 25t Long-Range Wireless Set

On Deck: 29t
- 25t Reserve
- 4t 2x18" single TTs submerged with one reload

Hull - Above water: 50t
- 50t Flag Facilities

[snip]

An interesting comparison to the Brandywine. I think the Brandywine has an advantage simply because they they can take more hits that the Asama (15,875 lbs / 7,201 Kg vs 6,033 lbs / 2,736 Kg) and that while Asama has thicker belts, they do not cover as much. So while the 250mm guns will be able to blow holes in the Brandywine, the 150mm guns (range dependent) will have a harder time. In contrast, the 7" guns on the Brandywines can just wreck anything outside of the main armor, but harming the citadel reliably is out of the question at anything other then in effect point-blank ranges. I think the ships are evenly matched in the speed department that once engaged it would be hard for one to dictate a range advantage in the short term. Given that the Brandywine has a minor advantage, if the battle dragged on long enough it would be able to influence the range. What it would come down to in a 1v1 is whoever got lucky with regards to a major critical hit on Brandywine early. If the Asama is lucky, one will land. If Brandywine, one will not.

[Logi]

[...] and that while Asama has thicker belts, they do not cover as much.

Technically that is true, but practically I don't think it means much.

By this I mean, the Asama is 120m long with a 100m long main belt. That means the main belt covers 83.3% of the length of the ship on the Asama.
The Brandywines have a 107.87m long main belt but they are much longer too, at 153.77m long. Hence the main belt covers only 70.2% of the whole ship length.

That said, I would agree with your conclusion that the two are pretty evenly matched.

[snip]

[...] and that while Asama has thicker belts, they do not cover as much.

Technically that is true, but practically I don't think it means much.

By this I mean, the Asama is 120m long with a 100m long main belt. That means the main belt covers 83.3% of the length of the ship on the Asama.
The Brandywines have a 107.87m long main belt but they are much longer too, at 153.77m long. Hence the main belt covers only 70.2% of the whole ship length.

That said, I would agree with your conclusion that the two are pretty evenly matched.

I was more referring to how tall the belts are. The Asama has a lot of unarmored flank in comparison to Brandywine

[Logi]

In order to cope with the vast Pacific territory (without ports) that Japan holds, as well as deal with the long Indian Ocean trade route, the IJN has ordered a multipurpose auxiliary large enough to take care of the IJN's requirements for the next decade.

Requirements:
1. Act as a port for any appreciable naval force.
2. Ferry a brigade of troops to any Japanese island in the Pacific.
3. Able to construct settlements and works on islands and reefs.

To cost $20 and 5 BP. (An alternative is for two separate ships for 1,3 & 2, but that costs ~1.5 BP more and ~$4 less for less capable ships.)

Miho (三保), Japan Auxiliary Vessel laid down 1900

Displacement:
   20,000 t light; 20,510 t standard; 25,360 t normal; 29,240 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (557.74 ft / 557.74 ft) x 68.90 ft x (26.25 / 29.98 ft)
   (170.00 m / 170.00 m) x 21.00 m  x (8.00 / 9.14 m)

Armament:
      1 - 2.95" / 75.0 mm 45.0 cal gun - 12.98lbs / 5.89kg shells, 300 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, forward deck forward
      Weight of broadside 13 lbs / 6 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 7,713 ihp / 5,754 Kw = 14.00 kts
   Range 20,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 8,731 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   1,004 - 1,306

Cost:
   £0.869 million / $3.478 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 2 tons, 0.0 %
      - Guns: 2 tons, 0.0 %
   Armour: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 1,205 tons, 4.8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,059 tons, 20.0 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,360 tons, 21.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 13,733 tons, 54.2 %
      - Hull below water: 5,000 tons
      - Hull above water: 7,633 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 1,000 tons
      - Above deck: 100 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     37,691 lbs / 17,096 Kg = 2,928.1 x 3.0 " / 75 mm shells or 3.0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
   Metacentric height 3.8 ft / 1.2 m
   Roll period: 14.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 100 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.880 / 0.888
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8.10 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23.62 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 28 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      22.97 ft / 7.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 70.3 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 158.6 %
   Waterplane Area: 36,399 Square feet or 3,382 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 157 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 94 lbs/sq ft or 458 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.96
      - Longitudinal: 1.32
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

Hull below water: 5,000t
- 5,000t, 2,500 troops on long-term embarkment

Hull above water: 7,633t
- 7,633t, Tender Facilities

On freeboard deck: 1,000t
- 500t, 250t worth of Extra Boats & Landing Craft
- 500t, Large Capacity Construction Cranes

Above deck: 100t
- 25t, Long-Range Wireless Set
- 50t, Reserve
- 25t, Captain's Accomodations

Also:
4677t of 8731t in the Bunker (Max) are Tender Facilities, the 4054t ton remaining at Bunkerage - leading to 9000nm @ 10kt range.

Total Tender Facilities are 12,310t, as such the Miho can undertake refurbishments as well as overhauls, basic refits, and basic repairs.

[The Rock Doctor]

Think the flexibility of multiple ships would offset the increase cost/BP expenditures.

Aren't troop/crew quarters generally above waterline?

[Logi]

Here is the modified Tender-only Miho class. Ring up $16 and 4 BP.

Miho (三保), Japan Tender laid down 1900

Displacement:
   16,000 t light; 16,369 t standard; 18,122 t normal; 19,525 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (393.70 ft / 393.70 ft) x 65.62 ft x (29.53 / 31.63 ft)
   (120.00 m / 120.00 m) x 20.00 m  x (9.00 / 9.64 m)

Armament:
      2 - 2.95" / 75.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 12.98lbs / 5.89kg shells, 450 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Single mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 26 lbs / 12 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 8,424 ihp / 6,285 Kw = 15.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3,156 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   780 - 1,015

Cost:
   £0.746 million / $2.982 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 4 tons, 0.0 %
      - Guns: 4 tons, 0.0 %
   Armour: 1 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 1 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 1,316 tons, 7.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,667 tons, 14.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,122 tons, 11.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 12,011 tons, 66.3 %
      - Hull below water: 3,000 tons
      - Hull above water: 7,000 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 2,011 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     15,348 lbs / 6,962 Kg = 1,192.3 x 3.0 " / 75 mm shells or 2.0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
   Metacentric height 3.2 ft / 1.0 m
   Roll period: 15.4 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.21

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.832 / 0.836
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.84 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 43 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 42
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m,  9.84 ft / 3.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      9.84 ft / 3.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 84.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 56.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 23,407 Square feet or 2,175 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 124 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 83 lbs/sq ft or 403 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.97
      - Longitudinal: 1.25
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Cramped accommodation and workspace room
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Hull below water: 3000t
Hull above water: 7000t
On deck: 2011t

Total: 12011t worth of Tender Facilities, enough to undertake refurbishments as well as overhauls, basic refits, and basic repairs.

[Logi]

And this is the separated troop transport capable of hauling one brigade or two brigades, depending on distance.

Cost of $2 and 2 BP.

Wakamiya (若宮), Japan Troop Transport laid down 1900

Displacement:
   8,000 t light; 8,208 t standard; 10,205 t normal; 11,803 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (328.08 ft / 328.08 ft) x 56.43 ft x (29.53 / 33.46 ft)
   (100.00 m / 100.00 m) x 17.20 m  x (9.00 / 10.20 m)

Armament:
      1 - 2.95" / 75.0 mm 45.0 cal gun - 12.98lbs / 5.89kg shells, 450 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1900 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, forward deck forward
      Weight of broadside 13 lbs / 6 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 5,983 ihp / 4,463 Kw = 15.00 kts
   Range 15,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 3,595 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   506 - 659

Cost:
   £0.412 million / $1.646 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 2 tons, 0.0 %
      - Guns: 2 tons, 0.0 %
   Armour: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 935 tons, 9.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,063 tons, 20.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,205 tons, 21.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 5,000 tons, 49.0 %
      - Hull above water: 5,000 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     12,109 lbs / 5,492 Kg = 940.7 x 3.0 " / 75 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.08
   Metacentric height 2.5 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 15.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.653 / 0.667
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.81 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.11 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 45 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m,  22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      22.97 ft / 7.00 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 83.6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 123.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 14,227 Square feet or 1,322 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 148 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 76 lbs/sq ft or 369 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.83
      - Longitudinal: 5.29
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

Hull above water: 5000t
- 5000t, 2,500 Troops on Long-term transport or 5,000 Troops on Short-term transport

[Logi]

A small collier - cost of $0.25 and 0.25 BP.

Aikoku Maru, Japan Collier laid down 1900

Displacement:
   4,000 t light; 4,111 t standard; 5,572 t normal; 6,741 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (229.66 ft / 229.66 ft) x 36.09 ft x (26.25 / 31.38 ft)
   (70.00 m / 70.00 m) x 11.00 m  x (8.00 / 9.56 m)

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2,039 ihp / 1,521 Kw = 12.00 kts
   Range 15,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 2,629 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   322 - 419

Cost:
   £0.185 million / $0.738 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 319 tons, 5.7 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 681 tons, 12.2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,572 tons, 28.2 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 3,000 tons, 53.8 %
      - Hull below water: 3,000 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     5,358 lbs / 2,430 Kg = 49.6 x 6 " / 152 mm shells or 1.2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.40
   Metacentric height 2.0 ft / 0.6 m
   Roll period: 10.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 90 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.41

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised quarterdeck ,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.896 / 0.907
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.36 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 15.15 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 47 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 64
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m,  6.56 ft / 2.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  14.44 ft / 4.40 m,  14.44 ft / 4.40 m
      - Average freeboard:      7.74 ft / 2.36 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 77.7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 30.9 %
   Waterplane Area: 7,967 Square feet or 740 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 153 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 52 lbs/sq ft or 255 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.91
      - Longitudinal: 2.28
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Extremely poor accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Hull bellow water: 3,000t[
- 3,000t, Coal/quote]

[Logi]

The Naniwa class cruisers will likely start getting replaced late 1900 with the Takasago-class. The newer class maintains the same speed, but increases armament.

Takasago (高砂), Japan Cruiser laid down 1900

Displacement:
   3,500 t light; 4,013 t standard; 4,794 t normal; 5,419 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (314.96 ft / 314.96 ft) x 43.73 ft x (23.62 / 25.97 ft)
   (96.00 m / 96.00 m) x 13.33 m  x (7.20 / 7.92 m)

Armament:
      4 - 9.84" / 250 mm 40.0 cal guns - 440.92lbs / 200.00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      10 - 5.98" / 152 mm 35.0 cal guns - 100.47lbs / 45.57kg shells, 450 per gun
     Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 40.0 cal guns - 5.42lbs / 2.46kg shells, 600 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.47lbs / 0.21kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 0.43" / 11.0 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.04lbs / 0.02kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x 2 row decuple mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 2,810 lbs / 1,275 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.46" / 37 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   2nd:   1.46" / 37 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   3rd:   0.55" / 14 mm         -               -
   4th:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -
   5th:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 2.95" / 75 mm
   Forecastle: 1.97" / 50 mm  Quarter deck: 1.97" / 50 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 1.46" / 37 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 8,116 ihp / 6,055 Kw = 18.50 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,406 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   287 - 374

Cost:
   £0.491 million / $1.966 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 502 tons, 10.5 %
      - Guns: 502 tons, 10.5 %
   Armour: 591 tons, 12.3 %
      - Armament: 101 tons, 2.1 %
      - Armour Deck: 481 tons, 10.0 %
      - Conning Tower: 9 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 1,266 tons, 26.4 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,116 tons, 23.3 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,294 tons, 27.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 25 tons, 0.5 %
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     2,300 lbs / 1,043 Kg = 4.8 x 9.8 " / 250 mm shells or 0.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
   Metacentric height 2.0 ft / 0.6 m
   Roll period: 13.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.84
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.01

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.516 / 0.530
   Length to Beam Ratio: 7.20 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 17.75 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 69
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Forward deck:   35.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m,  8.20 ft / 2.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      8.20 ft / 2.50 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 128.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 50.7 %
   Waterplane Area: 9,310 Square feet or 865 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 91 lbs/sq ft or 444 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.91
      - Longitudinal: 2.25
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Cramped accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

Above deck: 25t
- 25t, Long-Range Wireless

[The Rock Doctor]

I think you're trying for too much there.

With eight feet of freeboard, even moderate seas have the main deck awash.  There will be very little margin for flooding or listing.  They won't be very survivable ships.

[snip]

I agree with Rocky on this. I would like to see a version with a 152mm main battery and higher freeboard. I would also think about increasing the speed here, as these ships have no margin for escape from a armored cruiser and cannot really maneuver away from the battleline and catch back up.

[Logi]

Increased tonnage in exchange for +0.5 kt speed, much heavier armor on the main battery and heavier deck armor. Freeboard also increased from 2.5m to 4m (~8ft to ~13 ft).

I'm not convinced with the idea of a 152mm main battery or even higher speeds. The former limits utility, and the later is simply too expensive for dubious gain.The jump from 19 kt to 20 kt, for example, takes 0.25 composite strength. The jump from 20 to 21 kt takes even more.

Takasago (高砂), Japan Cruiser laid down 1900

Displacement:
   4,500 t light; 5,032 t standard; 5,921 t normal; 6,632 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (328.08 ft / 328.08 ft) x 47.90 ft x (26.25 / 28.62 ft)
   (100.00 m / 100.00 m) x 14.60 m  x (8.00 / 8.72 m)

Armament:
      4 - 9.84" / 250 mm 40.0 cal guns - 440.92lbs / 200.00kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1900 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      10 - 5.98" / 152 mm 35.0 cal guns - 99.21lbs / 45.00kg shells, 450 per gun
     Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 40.0 cal guns - 5.51lbs / 2.50kg shells, 600 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.46lbs / 0.21kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     10 x Quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      40 - 0.43" / 11.0 mm 35.0 cal guns - 0.04lbs / 0.02kg shells, 1,000 per gun
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1900 Model
     4 x 2 row decuple mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 2,798 lbs / 1,269 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   6.50" / 165 mm   1.97" / 50 mm      2.95" / 75 mm
   2nd:   1.97" / 50 mm   0.98" / 25 mm      0.98" / 25 mm
   3rd:   0.55" / 14 mm         -               -
   4th:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -
   5th:   0.20" / 5 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 3.46" / 88 mm
   Forecastle: 1.97" / 50 mm  Quarter deck: 1.97" / 50 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.91" / 150 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 10,133 ihp / 7,559 Kw = 19.00 kts
   Range 9,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,600 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   336 - 438

Cost:
   £0.571 million / $2.283 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 502 tons, 8.5 %
      - Guns: 502 tons, 8.5 %
   Armour: 872 tons, 14.7 %
      - Armament: 207 tons, 3.5 %
      - Armour Deck: 624 tons, 10.5 %
      - Conning Tower: 42 tons, 0.7 %
   Machinery: 1,583 tons, 26.7 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,518 tons, 25.6 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,421 tons, 24.0 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 25 tons, 0.4 %
      - Above deck: 25 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3,815 lbs / 1,730 Kg = 8.0 x 9.8 " / 250 mm shells or 0.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
   Metacentric height 2.7 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 12.3 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.87
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.51

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.502 / 0.516
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.85 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.11 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 46
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  14.76 ft / 4.50 m,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Forward deck:   35.00 %,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m,  13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      13.25 ft / 4.04 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 121.1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 78.1 %
   Waterplane Area: 10,494 Square feet or 975 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 96 lbs/sq ft or 470 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.87
      - Longitudinal: 3.31
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Cramped accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

Above deck: 25t
- 25t, Long-Range Wireless

[The Rock Doctor]

Much better.

I agree on speed - it's painful right now. 

[snip]

I think its a lot better as well. I do have a question on why you feel a 250mm main battery is the proper choice, and I guess what place this cruiser has within the IJN. Im confused as to what the goal of this design is given the Asama.