The _Dreadnought_ was officially laid down in December, 1905, and completed ten months later. Actually, however, materials for her were collected months beforehand, and the rate at which she was built,[29] like the secrecy with which her building was surrounded, consisted in great measure of a theatrical display, very impressive to the general public at the time, but to-day generally regarded as “unfortunate” on account of the foreign attention thus attracted. But, while the previous chapter is clear proof of the futility of any real secrecy about the “Dreadnought idea,” so far as the British Navy was concerned, it likewise serves to refute a charge which has been made to the effect that the “secrecy policy” induced foreign nations to build Dreadnoughts also. The most that can be said is that had the _Dreadnought_ been built without so much attention being attracted to her, foreign nations might have been less in a hurry to copy her. But it is absolutely clear that the all-big-gun ship era had arrived, just as in the past the ironclad era came, or, in earlier days still, the gun and steam eras did. The actual place of the _Dreadnought_ in history is that she marks a wise and rapid recognition of new conditions. Details of the _Dreadnought_ are as follows:-- Displacement--17,900 tons. Length--526ft. (over all). Beam--82ft. Draught--Maximum, 29ft. (normal). Armament--Ten 12-inch, 45 cal.; twenty-seven 12 pounders; five submerged tubes (18 inch). Armour Belt--11-in. to 6-in. forward; and 4-in. aft. On turrets 11-inch (K.C.) Machinery--Parsons Turbine; four screws. Horse-power--23,000 = 21 knots. Boilers--Babcock. Coal--(normal) 900 tons; (maximum) 2,000 tons; oil fuel also. Built at Portsmouth; Engined by Vickers. The _Dreadnought_ was unique in every particular. The exact disposition of her big gun armament was only arrived at after a long and careful consultation, and the consideration of a number of alternatives. It admits of eight big guns bearing in nearly every position, and allows a minimum fire of six in any case. It is understood that, in addition to the plan actually adopted, in the earliest plan of all (which was merely an adaption of the _Lord Nelson_ class), consideration was given to a scheme of five turrets, all in the centre line, and also to an arrangement whereby the two amidship turrets would be placed _en échelon_. One of the particular arguments in favour of the plan ultimately adopted was that next to four, eight big guns form the best workable unit for fire control purposes. It was also considered that eight guns would probably be the maximum that could safely be fired together continuously, with full charges in battle conditions. [Illustration: ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS FOR THE DREADNOUGHT.]