Were Battleships Just Big Targets?

[Mike H.]

Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Were Battleships Just Big Targets?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/why-are-battleships-obsolete/.

 

[CEW]

Don't know if I totally agree the battleship is dead. As with the B-52 or BUFF Big Ugly Fat Fellow (last word replaceable) will still be picking up the B-2 Pilots when they are dropped off at Boneyard in AZ. Has the mission changed, yes and they are a bullet magnet, I would argue with the current trend for drone attacks, may hold up well with its armor with some upgrades. The problem is precision as it doesn't need just one hit now, with the swarm of precision weapons fired hundred miles away.

But any floating system has to deal with that and with less armor. With proper modern defensive systems, it could become Dreadnought again... Add in better propulsion system and you have a floating tank able to take the occasional strike from an unintercepted weapon or at least better protection for the Crew, than an aluminum hull structures. As witnessed in the Falkland's conflict. Put reactive armor over that 18 inches of steel, better intercept criteria systems that are on the current Frigates with both electronic and kinetic, yeah Baby lets rock...

Hey, it beat the Aliens in movie Battleship didn't it? LOL

 

[Johnny Yuma]

When the Sheffield was sunk, that was the end of the battle wagons

 

[CEW]

When the Sheffield was sunk, that was the end of the battle wagons

Believe the Sheffield was a missile frigate or destroyer if you like... But many others could be used as examples.

 

[Cedric]

Tsushima was the last decisive engagement of battleships? I must have missed something:

- Bismark vs. HMS Hood and Prince of Wales
- Bismark vs. KGV and Rodney
- USS George Washington vs. IJN Kirishima

The last engagement mentioned brings to light that US battle wagons and heavy cruisers held the line until our new aircraft carriers could reinforce our stretched thin force of 3-5 carriers. Also, battleships provided much needed AA protection to carriers as they could keep up with them. And don't forget naval gunfire support. I'm not saying we should bring them back, but lets not minimize their past contributions and capabilities.

 

[Pitdogg2]

Funny, I thought they were always targets.

 

[Grayfox]

Back in the days when navies slugged it out over long distances, the battleship was king. Often sinking enemy ships while still out of range of their guns. But then came aircraft and soon after missiles. Since the Korean war, a battleship's only real use was heavy shore bombardment. We now have smaller, faster ships that can do that with missiles and more accurately too.
Sadly, the battleship's days are over.

 

[Shibadog]

I remember when the Brits were in the the Falkens by an Exocet on the ship went down, They interviewed the captain of USS New Jersey (only battleship in commission at the time) and the excited little news weenie says “what would you do if your ship was hit by an Exocet”, and the Captain answered “probably give the same command that was given when USS Missouri was hit by a kamakazi in WW2, “sweepers man your brooms”. News weenies was all a twitter “but one sank that British ship”. Captain “ yes it did, but there is a lot of difference 1” thick aluminum and 16” of copper nickel steel. This ship was built to survive multiple hits from 3500 lb armour piercing shells, a 250lb high explosive isn’t going to do much”. Kinda sums it up.

 

[trader]

let's not forget USS New Jersey at Lebanon in support of our
Marines.

 

[3L120]

Back in the days when navies slugged it out over long distances, the battleship was king. Often sinking enemy ships while still out of range of their guns. But then came aircraft and soon after missiles. Since the Korean war, a battleship's only real use was heavy shore bombardment. We now have smaller, faster ships that can do that with missiles and more accurately too.
Sadly, the battleship's days are over.

Missiles are expensive NGF isn’t. Got off active duty in1971 and transitioned to the USMC reservis, specifically, HQ, 1/14th Marines. I headed the NGF Section for three years. Went to schools and directed some 5”/38 at Coronado Island. Our job was to coordinate with any NGF assets. I would posit that the potential rounds available on a 5”/54 destroyer would be more than any missiles she would carry or use. There was always a %age below which the ship would not go below in case of self defense.