============================+===============+==================================+=======+========+============ | Normal | | | Des’d. | | Displacement. | Armament. | Belt. | Speed. | Laid | Tons. | | in. | Knots. | Down. ----------------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+-------+--------+------------ _Cuniberti_ (as built) | 17,000 | 12--12in., 18--12 pdr. | 12 | 24 | _pro._ 1903 _Satsuma_ Design | 19,250 | 12 _or_ 10--12in., 12--4.7 | 9 | 20 | ---- ----------------------------+---------------+----------------------------------+-------+--------+------------ _Satsuma_ | 19,250 | 4--12in., 12--10in., 12--6 | 9 | 20 | 1905 _S. Carolina, pro._ | 16–17,000 | 8--12in., (_or_ 4--12in., | 10 | 18–20 | ---- | | 8--10in.), 30--14 pdr. | | | _S. Carolina_ | 16,000 | 8--12in., 22--14 pdr. | 12 | 18½ | 1906 _Dreadnought_, 1st Design | ? | 10--12in. | .. | .. | ---- _Dreadnought_ (as built) | 17,900 | 10--12in., 27--12 pdr. | 11 | 21 | 1905 _Invincible_ | 17,250 | 8--12in., 16--4in. | 7 | 25 | 1906 _Nassau_ (as “S”) | ? | 8--11in., 12--6in., 10--24 pdr. | ? | 19½ | 1906 _Nassau_ | 18,500 | 12--11in., 12--6in., 10--24 pdr. | 9¾ | 19½ | 1907 ============================+===============+==================================+=======+========+============ _Note._--The _Nassau_ was delayed a year owing to alterations in design. Be all these things as they may, however, Japan is obviously entitled to some considerable share in originating the “Dreadnought movement.” The claims of the United States Navy rest on a stronger basis. The _South Carolina_ type, all big guns in the centre line, all bearing on either broadside, was a distinct advance and novelty. The actual chronological date of laying down goes for nothing; the ships were designed and authorised long before they were commenced. No secrecy whatever was observed about them, and a strong body of opinion will always credit the United States with being the first Navy that definitely adopted the “all-big-gun idea.” It is interesting to note (see table) that at one stage a mixed 12-inch and 10-inch armament was regarded as a possible alternative. [Illustration: CUIBERI. SATSUMA. S CAROLINA. FIRST DESIGN S CAROLINA. FIRST BRITISH DREADNOUGHT DESIGN DREADNOUGHT. INVINCIBLE. NASSAU FIRST DESIGN NASSAU AS BUILT ORIGINAL DREADNOUGHT DESIGNS.]