The modern 12-inch gun, it has been pointed out, with a muzzle velocity of 2,859 feet per second, can penetrate the thickest armour on any of the ships of the _Majestic_ class at a range of 12,700 yards; the ships of the _Duncan_ class would suffer at about the same range; that of the _Ocean_ class would be penetrated at 13,350 yards; and that of the _Formidables_ at over 11,000 yards. The broadside water-line belt of any of these ships could be perforated by the same gun at any range up to the limit of observation. On the other hand, the primary guns of the ships of the classes named could only perforate the water-line belt of the _Dreadnoughts_ at from 7,000 to 9,000 yards range, the former being the range of the _Oceans_ for this purpose. The modern ship could smash the others without receiving a hit in return. Even if they did succeed in getting close enough to use their heavier guns and the 6-inch guns as well, they would be exposed to the risk of a much severer blow in return. This is not the only consideration. Rapidity of gun-fire has to be taken into account. The _Majestic’s_ four 12-inch guns can only fire six rounds each in ten minutes or twenty-four rounds in all in that time, and the other three classes named could fire forty rounds per ship in a ten minutes’ action. The _Dreadnoughts_ of 1906-7 could reply with 120 rounds, and the latest type of _Dreadnought_ with 150 rounds, using the 12-inch guns, and of course the disparity would be even greater with the newest guns.[60] [Illustration: BRAZILIAN BATTLESHIP “MINAS GERAES,” SHOWING DECK AND SUPERIMPOSED TURRETS. _Photograph supplied by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Ltd._]