Byzantine Empire 1910-1917

[Desertfox]

Gotta love these crazy designs!

These remind me of the Ontos tank destroyer with a 50cal gun to spot the 106mm recoilless rifles. I wonder if it would be better to have the 13.5in and the 18in guns on the same turret (triple with 18 in middle) and to make sure that the ballistic characteristics of the guns and shells where as similar as possible. Also reminds me of the N-verse 2.0 destroyer designs I was considering with 18in dynamite guns instead of torpedo tubes.

I would only armor against 13.5in, but then again I'm a battlecruiser speed is armor fanboy.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Gotta love these crazy designs!

These remind me of the Ontos tank destroyer with a 50cal gun to spot the 106mm recoilless rifles. I wonder if it would be better to have the 13.5in and the 18in guns on the same turret (triple with 18 in middle) and to make sure that the ballistic characteristics of the guns and shells where as similar as possible. Also reminds me of the N-verse 2.0 destroyer designs I was considering with 18in dynamite guns instead of torpedo tubes.

I would only armor against 13.5in, but then again I'm a battlecruiser speed is armor fanboy.

it is fun, and this is a good place for them.
In my ...Italian? set up, I had 3000 ton ships with a 10" spinal mount gun and a ram, inspired by the dynamite ships- the idea is you charge and fire as you go.

With these, fire control becomes the key to effectiveness.
There doesn't seem to be one book saying "This is what is needed" so I extrapolate from other readings.

Basically, 3 shells at a time were the minimum for a range ladder, but was not as good as 4 at a time - the extra shell splash made a difference.
But with 1 sleeve for all the barrels either you need separate turrets with different elevations,  or a pause to change elevation between shots.
...or individually sleeved guns

Smaller guns made smaller shell splashes, which apparently were not readily visible at great distances. I don't have a good number for shell splash heights by shell size, but I'm inclined to think using the bore in CM as the spotting range in KM is appropriate.

Toss in two factors
- edge of seeing the whole opposing ship is about 18KM. (going off memory?)  After which spotting by splash is harder, as you can't see the hull/base.
- edge of seeing the mast tops is like 22km (?), after which spotting by shell doesn't work at all.
- then you go to aerial spotting.

But for 1915, the 18km range is what's on the 'idea' of possible good battle range.

So the use of the 19cm guns works for quite some time, and the 25cm would work for all expected ranges.
The 345mm would not only be good for the splashes but also hurt if they hit.

I have problems with the speed is armor concept.
My early ships were 'fast' based on the juen Ecole idea, and yet a couple years later are 'slow' because of advances.
Right now, my large ships are slow but heavily armed/armored, while the lighter forces are fairly fast.
I may yet build some BCs.  My trial designs are named after Steppe nomads - Scythians, Mongols, Timur (Tamberlane), Cimmerians, Huns.

[Jefgte]

I could install 2 x457/40 in a turret.
With 2T2x457 + 2T3x343 & 32000t
;)

Justinianus class, Byzantine Empire BB7-4 laid down 1915

Displacement:
   32 000 t light; 33 776 t standard; 36 547 t normal; 38 763 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (643,36 ft / 643,36 ft) x 104,00 ft x (30,06 / 31,59 ft)
   (196,10 m / 196,10 m) x 31,70 m  x (9,16 / 9,63 m)

Armament:
      4 - 18,00" / 457 mm 40,0 cal guns - 3 319,72lbs / 1 505,80kg shells, 70 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
     2 x Twin mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      6 - 13,50" / 343 mm 45,0 cal guns - 1 240,67lbs / 562,76kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
     2 x Triple mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      2 raised mounts
      8 - 6,00" / 152 mm 45,0 cal guns - 108,92lbs / 49,41kg shells, 150 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
     8 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      12 - 4,00" / 102 mm 45,0 cal guns - 32,28lbs / 14,64kg shells, 200 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1915 Model
     12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      12 raised mounts
      4 - 0,30" / 7,7 mm 90,0 cal guns - 0,02lbs / 0,01kg shells, 2 000 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1915 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 21 982 lbs / 9 971 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   13,4" / 340 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   10,84 ft / 3,30 m
   Ends:   4,72" / 120 mm   242,00 ft / 73,76 m   10,00 ft / 3,05 m
     1,36 ft / 0,41 m Unarmoured ends
   Upper:   5,50" / 140 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   13,40 ft / 4,08 m
     Main Belt covers 96 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1,57" / 40 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   27,00 ft / 8,23 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 86,00 ft / 26,21 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   13,4" / 340 mm   5,91" / 150 mm      11,8" / 300 mm
   2nd:   13,4" / 340 mm   5,91" / 150 mm      11,8" / 300 mm
   3rd:   5,92" / 150 mm   3,95" / 100 mm      4,72" / 120 mm
   4th:   1,57" / 40 mm         -               -
   5th:   0,50" / 13 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 3,92" / 100 mm
   Forecastle: 1,57" / 40 mm  Quarter deck: 1,57" / 40 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 13,39" / 340 mm, Aft 5,92" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 39 800 shp / 29 691 Kw = 21,08 kts
   Range 9 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 4 987 tons (90% coal)

Complement:
   1 321 - 1 718

Cost:
   £4,467 million / $17,869 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 3 075 tons, 8,4 %
      - Guns: 3 075 tons, 8,4 %
   Armour: 11 743 tons, 32,1 %
      - Belts: 4 324 tons, 11,8 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 627 tons, 1,7 %
      - Armament: 3 059 tons, 8,4 %
      - Armour Deck: 3 275 tons, 9,0 %
      - Conning Towers: 458 tons, 1,3 %
   Machinery: 1 642 tons, 4,5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 14 691 tons, 40,2 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4 547 tons, 12,4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 849 tons, 2,3 %
      - Hull below water: 174 tons
      - Hull above water: 100 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 250 tons
      - Above deck: 325 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     58 898 lbs / 26 716 Kg = 20,2 x 18,0 " / 457 mm shells or 10,0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,14
   Metacentric height 6,8 ft / 2,1 m
   Roll period: 16,8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 67 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,86
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,35

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,636 / 0,642
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,19 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25,36 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 43 %
   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:   18,00 %,  25,90 ft / 7,89 m,  21,72 ft / 6,62 m
      - Forward deck:   52,00 %,  21,72 ft / 6,62 m,  20,70 ft / 6,31 m
      - Aft deck:   13,00 %,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m
      - Quarter deck:   17,00 %,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m
      - Average freeboard:      19,05 ft / 5,81 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 70,7 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 142,3 %
   Waterplane Area: 50 601 Square feet or 4 701 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 113 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 234 lbs/sq ft or 1 142 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,94
      - Longitudinal: 1,62
      - Overall: 1,00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Justinianus - Augustus

Misc weight:
25t for Marconi
300t for top fire control
100t for Admiral staff
150t for climat control
100t reserved
150t for additionnal pumps installation
24t for 4 sub TT x 21" with 4 reloads

[Kaiser Kirk]

I could install 2 x457/40 in a turret.
With 2T2x457 + 2T3x343 & 32000t
;)

That is a rather formidable vessel.
Give the Parthians bad dreams.

I can see you're experimenting off a base design, so there are little clean up details.
But overall, that is sufficient number of 18" guns to merit consideration of how to defeat them.

With 1915, it would lay down the same year as the Baphumet class, so it would be my 1919 ships that would be the "reply"...and I don't have those.
A lot of what I build will be contingent on what others do, so I have explored lots of options, but rarely that far forward in time.
But it is interesting to consider what Justinianus would be like against a Baphumet or a Sealord or a Scythian and all their variants. NONE of mine have 18" guns. :) 
The Justinianus would be quite a conundrum.


Question - you have 1 armor deck, which is too thick for the period, and would mean the upper belt uncapped by armor, or is that to be 2 armored decks, one 70-75mm and one 30-25mm ?
One advantage of 'slow' is internal volume is good, so it is very good at damage absorption.

[Jefgte]

...That is a rather formidable vessel.
Give the Parthians bad dreams....
...Question - you have 1 armor deck, which is too thick for the period, and would mean the upper belt uncapped by armor, or is that to be 2 armored decks, one 70-75mm and one 30-25mm ?
One advantage of 'slow' is internal volume is good, so it is very good at damage absorption...

Justinianus is just a study from the 457 gun of HMS Glorious.
SS characteristics are not refined.
Justinianus is not included in my construction plan.
Imperator (29670t - 4T2x15 '' (QE class turrets)) is included in 1913.

[Jefgte]

I like this one  :)

Justinianus class, Byzantine Empire BB7-5 laid down 1915

Displacement:
   30 555 t light; 32 165 t standard; 34 870 t normal; 37 035 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (643,36 ft / 643,36 ft) x 104,00 ft x (28,68 / 30,18 ft)
   (196,10 m / 196,10 m) x 31,70 m  x (8,74 / 9,20 m)

Armament:
      6 - 18,00" / 457 mm 40,0 cal guns - 3 319,72lbs / 1 505,80kg shells, 70 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
     3 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
      1 raised mount - superfiring
      8 - 7,50" / 191 mm 45,0 cal guns - 212,74lbs / 96,50kg shells, 100 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
     4 x Twin mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      12 - 4,00" / 102 mm 45,0 cal guns - 32,28lbs / 14,64kg shells, 200 per gun
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1915 Model
     12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      12 raised mounts
      4 - 0,30" / 7,7 mm 90,0 cal guns - 0,02lbs / 0,01kg shells, 2 000 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1915 Model
     4 x Single mounts on side ends, evenly spread
      4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 22 008 lbs / 9 982 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   13,4" / 340 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   10,84 ft / 3,30 m
   Ends:   4,72" / 120 mm   242,00 ft / 73,76 m   10,00 ft / 3,05 m
     1,36 ft / 0,41 m Unarmoured ends
   Upper:   5,50" / 140 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   13,40 ft / 4,08 m
     Main Belt covers 96 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
      1,57" / 40 mm   400,00 ft / 121,92 m   27,00 ft / 8,23 m
   Beam between torpedo bulkheads 86,00 ft / 26,21 m

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   13,4" / 340 mm   5,91" / 150 mm      11,8" / 300 mm
   2nd:   6,00" / 152 mm   2,00" / 51 mm      6,00" / 152 mm
   4th:   1,57" / 40 mm         -               -
   5th:   0,50" / 13 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 3,92" / 100 mm
   Forecastle: 1,57" / 40 mm  Quarter deck: 1,57" / 40 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 13,39" / 340 mm, Aft 5,92" / 150 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 39 000 shp / 29 094 Kw = 21,11 kts
   Range 9 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 4 870 tons (90% coal)

Complement:
   1 275 - 1 658

Cost:
   £4,163 million / $16,652 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 2 749 tons, 7,9 %
      - Guns: 2 749 tons, 7,9 %
   Armour: 11 556 tons, 33,1 %
      - Belts: 4 316 tons, 12,4 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 627 tons, 1,8 %
      - Armament: 2 894 tons, 8,3 %
      - Armour Deck: 3 275 tons, 9,4 %
      - Conning Towers: 444 tons, 1,3 %
   Machinery: 1 609 tons, 4,6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 13 792 tons, 39,6 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4 315 tons, 12,4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 849 tons, 2,4 %
      - Hull below water: 174 tons
      - Hull above water: 100 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 250 tons
      - Above deck: 325 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     60 172 lbs / 27 294 Kg = 20,6 x 18,0 " / 457 mm shells or 10,5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,19
   Metacentric height 7,3 ft / 2,2 m
   Roll period: 16,2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 67 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,81
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,35

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,636 / 0,642
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,19 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 25,36 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 42 %
   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:   18,00 %,  25,90 ft / 7,89 m,  21,72 ft / 6,62 m
      - Forward deck:   52,00 %,  21,72 ft / 6,62 m,  20,70 ft / 6,31 m
      - Aft deck:   13,00 %,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m
      - Quarter deck:   17,00 %,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m,  12,70 ft / 3,87 m
      - Average freeboard:      19,05 ft / 5,81 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 68,8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 147,5 %
   Waterplane Area: 50 601 Square feet or 4 701 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 114 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 221 lbs/sq ft or 1 077 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,95
      - Longitudinal: 1,54
      - Overall: 1,00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Justinianus - Augustus

Misc weight:
25t for Marconi
300t for top fire control
100t for Admiral staff
150t for climat control
100t reserved
150t for additionnal pumps installation
24t for 4 sub TT x 21" with 4 reloads

[Kaiser Kirk]

Justinianus is just a study from the 457 gun of HMS Glorious.
SS characteristics are not refined.
Justinianus is not included in my construction plan.
Imperator (29670t - 4T2x15 '' (QE class turrets)) is included in 1913.

I realize you are just having fun , I am having fun looking at them :)
Right now the Parthians are likely to stick to their 365m bore, right now it's the largest and no reason to upscale. When you produce 380mm, that is only a little larger.
Your Imperator class will laydown as my Taimat class finishes construction. I want to build at least two Baphumet class, so how your Imperator class looks will probably most effect if I build two Sealord-style faster battleships or Scythian-style battlecruisers.

[Jefgte]

Byzantine Empire built an harbor in Diego Suarez with a 125m upkeep shipyard.

AGB5850t (Amman - Bagdad - Sanaa - Cairo)are now affected to Madagascar zone protection.
With their 4x191 & 21kts, they are short to repulse any cruiser.

So here is a project for a 125m AGB abble to engage much cruisers.

AGB 60 70, Byzantine Empire Armored Gunboat laid down 1913

Displacement:
   6 070 t light; 6 451 t standard; 7 045 t normal; 7 520 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (409,00 ft / 409,00 ft) x 66,00 ft x (17,07 / 17,97 ft)
   (124,66 m / 124,66 m) x 20,12 m  x (5,20 / 5,48 m)

Armament:
      6 - 10,00" / 254 mm 45,0 cal guns - 504,26lbs / 228,73kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1913 Model
     2 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 4,72" / 120 mm 45,0 cal guns - 53,03lbs / 24,05kg shells, 160 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 0,30" / 7,7 mm 90,0 cal guns - 0,02lbs / 0,01kg shells, 2 000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 3 450 lbs / 1 565 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   4,72" / 120 mm   270,00 ft / 82,30 m   9,00 ft / 2,74 m
   Ends:   1,95" / 50 mm   139,00 ft / 42,37 m   8,00 ft / 2,44 m
     Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   6,30" / 160 mm   1,37" / 35 mm      4,72" / 120 mm
   3rd:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -
   4th:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 1,37" / 35 mm
   Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm  Quarter deck: 0,79" / 20 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 3,95" / 100 mm, Aft 1,37" / 35 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 2 shafts, 27 300 shp / 20 366 Kw = 24,04 kts
   Range 6 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1 069 tons (25% coal)

Complement:
   383 - 499

Cost:
   £0,730 million / $2,919 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 746 tons, 10,6 %
      - Guns: 746 tons, 10,6 %
   Armour: 1 308 tons, 18,6 %
      - Belts: 579 tons, 8,2 %
      - Armament: 260 tons, 3,7 %
      - Armour Deck: 428 tons, 6,1 %
      - Conning Towers: 42 tons, 0,6 %
   Machinery: 1 095 tons, 15,5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2 713 tons, 38,5 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 974 tons, 13,8 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 208 tons, 3,0 %
      - Hull above water: 60 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 48 tons
      - Above deck: 100 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     9 061 lbs / 4 110 Kg = 18,1 x 10,0 " / 254 mm shells or 1,6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,17
   Metacentric height 3,6 ft / 1,1 m
   Roll period: 14,7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,59
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,02

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,535 / 0,543
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,20 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 20,22 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 69
   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 %,  19,75 ft / 6,02 m,  17,00 ft / 5,18 m
      - Forward deck:   30,00 %,  17,00 ft / 5,18 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Aft deck:   30,00 %,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Quarter deck:   20,00 %,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Average freeboard:      16,05 ft / 4,89 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 91,1 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 144,6 %
   Waterplane Area: 18 576 Square feet or 1 726 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 120 lbs/sq ft or 584 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,92
      - Longitudinal: 2,08
      - Overall: 1,00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

75t for top fire control
25t for Marconi
18t for 6TTx21"
30t for additionnal ventilation
30t for additionnal pumps

[Desertfox]

Now that's a proper pocket battleship. That armament will put some serious holes into anything short of a capital ship.

[Kaiser Kirk]

It's a neat little vessel, I have some designs like.

AND it will defeat my protected cruisers, which have 180mm guns.

Now that's a proper pocket battleship. That armament will put some serious holes into anything short of a capital ship.

But this isn't the post Treaty era of 8" cruisers.

There are a number of Capital Ships...which are armored cruisers.

Both Byzantium and Parthia (and others) have for years fielded Armored Cruisers with 10" and 9" guns.
Outside of about 10km, the last several Parthian and Byzantine AC Classes are armored to stop 10".

Meanwhile the 120mm belt is too thin to stop their 9 and 10" shells from any range.

So good ship - yes
pocket BB - no

:)

Byzantine Empire built an harbor in Diego Suarez with a 125m upkeep shipyard.

I have been very slowly building drydocks, but for the modest goal of supporting MTB squadrons.

[Jefgte]

...Meanwhile the 120mm belt is too thin to stop their 9 and 10" shells from any range....

I know that armor is thin.
I rework my 1913-1915 Building Plan about cruisers.
I have noted 2 x 7950t AC7. So, from 6000t to 7950t, I have some BP reserve...

21kts Battleships line need scout cruisers, the last 6000t (6x191+6x102-26kts) were built from 1905 to 1907.
I have noted too, in the Building Plan, 2 x 6000t SC5 -3T2x234 (from the regunned Barbarossa class) +8x102-26kts

Here is SC5
El Mynia - El Badari, Byzantine Empire SC5-Heavy Scout Cruiser laid down 1913

Displacement:
   6 000 t light; 6 322 t standard; 6 945 t normal; 7 444 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (504,00 ft / 504,00 ft) x 62,10 ft x (15,38 / 16,21 ft)
   (153,62 m / 153,62 m) x 18,93 m  x (4,69 / 4,94 m)

Armament:
      6 - 9,20" / 234 mm 45,0 cal guns - 392,66lbs / 178,11kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1913 Model
     3 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
      8 - 4,00" / 102 mm 45,0 cal guns - 32,27lbs / 14,64kg shells, 180 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      4 - 0,30" / 7,7 mm 90,0 cal guns - 0,02lbs / 0,01kg shells, 2 000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 2 614 lbs / 1 186 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   2,75" / 70 mm   318,00 ft / 96,93 m   9,00 ft / 2,74 m
   Ends:   Unarmoured
     Main Belt covers 97 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   5,52" / 140 mm   1,95" / 50 mm      3,15" / 80 mm
   3rd:   0,77" / 20 mm         -               -
   4th:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
   For and Aft decks: 1,17" / 30 mm
   Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm  Quarter deck: 0,79" / 20 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 3,95" / 100 mm, Aft 1,17" / 30 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 32 600 shp / 24 319 Kw = 26,02 kts
   Range 5 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1 123 tons (90% coal)

Complement:
   379 - 494

Cost:
   £0,696 million / $2,783 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 571 tons, 8,2 %
      - Guns: 571 tons, 8,2 %
   Armour: 1 025 tons, 14,8 %
      - Belts: 332 tons, 4,8 %
      - Armament: 231 tons, 3,3 %
      - Armour Deck: 422 tons, 6,1 %
      - Conning Towers: 40 tons, 0,6 %
   Machinery: 1 391 tons, 20,0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2 786 tons, 40,1 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 946 tons, 13,6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 226 tons, 3,3 %
      - Hull below water: 30 tons
      - Hull above water: 30 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 84 tons
      - Above deck: 82 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     8 843 lbs / 4 011 Kg = 22,7 x 9,2 " / 234 mm shells or 1,5 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,19
   Metacentric height 3,4 ft / 1,0 m
   Roll period: 14,2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,49
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,10

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,505 / 0,513
   Length to Beam Ratio: 8,12 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 22,45 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
   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 %,  19,50 ft / 5,94 m,  16,50 ft / 5,03 m
      - Forward deck:   30,00 %,  16,50 ft / 5,03 m,  14,50 ft / 4,42 m
      - Aft deck:   30,00 %,  14,50 ft / 4,42 m,  13,50 ft / 4,11 m
      - Quarter deck:   20,00 %,  13,50 ft / 4,11 m,  13,50 ft / 4,11 m
      - Average freeboard:      15,09 ft / 4,60 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 97,0 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 155,3 %
   Waterplane Area: 20 949 Square feet or 1 946 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 111 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 106 lbs/sq ft or 517 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,97
      - Longitudinal: 1,22
      - Overall: 1,00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

24t for 8 TT x 18''
57t for top fire control
25t for Marconi
30t for additionnal pumps
30t for additionnal ventilation
60t reserved for troops, materials, mines...

[Kaiser Kirk]

21kts Battleships line need scout cruisers, the last 6000t (6x191+6x102-26kts) were built from 1905 to 1907.

I still think it is interesting the ways in which - while not planned that way -each of our pre-build fleets could be viewed as competing powers.
We both have 6000 ton cruisers, with often 6 x 180 or 191 guns.
My battleline is 20knots, yours is 21.
My armored cruisers look like reasonable "responses" to your armored cruisers - with Byzantium leading the way.
The result is the last 8 we produced, mine are 4x9.2 vs your 4x10", then my 4x10" and your 8x10", then my 8x 10"...
of course now you are building "armored cruisers" larger than my existing dreadnaughts.

[Jefgte]

...of course now you are building "armored cruisers" larger than my existing dreadnaughts.
...

Eupatoria (28500t) were built in response to Wicklow (26676t) from the Northern Kingdom. Building a powerful battle cruiser was very tempting.
In fact, it was a mistake. The probability of a Wicklow vs Eupatoria battle is very low. It would have been desirable to build 2 other Ramses II BBs (26000t) instead and much more useful at the battle line.
Eupatoria will remain secret and will be based in the Black Sea.
The officially declared characteristics will be 27000t - 27 kts and 3T3x343

[Kaiser Kirk]

I've got a story item written up of the Parthians trying to figure out what it is by the general dimensions it takes up on the ways. But they won't know what the Byzantines built for quite some time.  The Northern BCs are quite interesting. Walter has really built a powerful Navy.  From a War-fighting point of view, he should be able to close off the Atlantic to Vilnus, and do well against Rome.

[Jefgte]

Rework AGB6070 to AGB7300 then ACC7
Armor increase by 50%
2 ships w''ll be laid down in 1913

ACC7, Byzantine Empire Armored Colonial Cruiser laid down 1913

Displacement:
   7 315 t light; 7 732 t standard; 8 497 t normal; 9 109 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (409,00 ft / 409,00 ft) x 66,00 ft x (19,85 / 20,98 ft)
   (124,66 m / 124,66 m) x 20,12 m  x (6,05 / 6,40 m)

Armament:
      6 - 10,00" / 254 mm 45,0 cal guns - 504,26lbs / 228,73kg shells, 120 per gun
     Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1913 Model
     2 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 4,72" / 120 mm 45,0 cal guns - 53,03lbs / 24,05kg shells, 160 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 - 3,00" / 76,2 mm 45,0 cal guns - 13,62lbs / 6,18kg shells, 160 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 raised mounts
      4 - 0,30" / 7,7 mm 90,0 cal guns - 0,02lbs / 0,01kg shells, 2 000 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1913 Model
     4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 3 532 lbs / 1 602 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:   7,10" / 180 mm   266,00 ft / 81,08 m   10,00 ft / 3,05 m
   Ends:   1,95" / 50 mm   143,00 ft / 43,59 m   8,00 ft / 2,44 m
   Upper:   1,95" / 50 mm   266,00 ft / 81,08 m   8,00 ft / 2,44 m
     Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   7,88" / 200 mm   2,37" / 60 mm      7,10" / 180 mm
   2nd:   0,79" / 20 mm         -               -
   3rd:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -
   4th:   0,39" / 10 mm         -               -

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
   For and Aft decks: 2,37" / 60 mm
   Forecastle: 0,98" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 0,98" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 7,10" / 180 mm, Aft 2,37" / 60 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Geared drive, 2 shafts, 30 780 shp / 22 962 Kw = 24,04 kts
   Range 7 000nm at 12,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1 377 tons (25% coal)

Complement:
   442 - 575

Cost:
   £0,803 million / $3,212 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 762 tons, 9,0 %
      - Guns: 762 tons, 9,0 %
   Armour: 2 298 tons, 27,0 %
      - Belts: 1 089 tons, 12,8 %
      - Armament: 401 tons, 4,7 %
      - Armour Deck: 723 tons, 8,5 %
      - Conning Towers: 85 tons, 1,0 %
   Machinery: 1 234 tons, 14,5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 2 813 tons, 33,1 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1 182 tons, 13,9 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 208 tons, 2,4 %
      - Hull above water: 60 tons
      - On freeboard deck: 48 tons
      - Above deck: 100 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     10 930 lbs / 4 958 Kg = 21,9 x 10,0 " / 254 mm shells or 1,9 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,12
   Metacentric height 3,3 ft / 1,0 m
   Roll period: 15,2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,59
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,03

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a ram bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,555 / 0,563
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6,20 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 20,22 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 69
   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 %,  19,75 ft / 6,02 m,  17,00 ft / 5,18 m
      - Forward deck:   30,00 %,  17,00 ft / 5,18 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Aft deck:   30,00 %,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Quarter deck:   20,00 %,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m,  15,20 ft / 4,63 m
      - Average freeboard:      16,05 ft / 4,89 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 81,6 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 127,7 %
   Waterplane Area: 18 927 Square feet or 1 758 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 118 lbs/sq ft or 577 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,91
      - Longitudinal: 2,13
      - Overall: 1,00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

75t for top fire control
25t for Marconi
18t for 6TTx21"
36t for additionnal ventilation
36t for additionnal pumps
18t reserved