Understanding the Differences Between Cruisers, Destroyers, and Battleships

The evolution of naval warfare in the 20th century brought about a vast array of different warship types, each designed to serve specific roles. Among these are cruisers, destroyers, and battleships, each with its own distinct characteristics and capabilities. This article will delve into the roles, sizes, and armaments of these three major types of naval vessels.

Cruisers

Role: Cruisers are versatile ships designed for fleet operations and can serve in various roles including air defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare.

Size and Armament: They are typically larger than destroyers but smaller than battleships. Cruisers often carry a mix of weapons, including missiles, guns, and sometimes torpedoes. They are also equipped with advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities. Examples include the Ticonderoga-class in the US and the Type 42 in the UK.

Destroyers

Role: Destroyers are fast and maneuverable ships primarily designed to escort larger vessels in a fleet and protect them from air, surface, and submarine threats.

Size and Armament: Generally smaller than cruisers, destroyers are heavily armed with missiles, including anti-air and anti-ship guns, and torpedoes. They are renowned for their speed and agility. Examples include the Arleigh Burke-class in the US and the Daring-class in the UK.

Battleships

Role: Battleships were heavily armed warships designed for direct naval combat, engaging enemy ships and often leading the line in naval battles.

Size and Armament: Battleships are the largest of the three types and are equipped with heavy-caliber guns capable of delivering significant firepower. They also have armor designed to withstand enemy fire. Examples include the Iowa-class in the US and the King George V-class in the UK. Note that battleships have been largely retired from active service since the mid-20th century.

The Role of Navy Treaty Regimes

During the World War II era, the differences between ships were defined by displacement, as defined by various naval treaties. Several major treaties were in effect and signed by major naval powers to prevent a future naval arms race that would have likely bankrupted all involved. These treaties include the Washington Naval Treaty (signed 6th February 1922), the First London Naval Treaty (signed 22nd April 1930), and the Second London Naval Treaty (signed 25th March 1936).

Destroyers: Were limited to 1850 tons and could not have guns larger than 5.1 inches, as per the First London Naval Treaty.

Cruisers: Were split into “Light” and “Heavy” based on the calibre of the main guns. Light cruisers were restricted to main guns no larger than 6.1 inches, and their displacement was limited to 8000 tons as per the Second London Naval Treaty. Heavy cruisers were restricted to 8-inch guns and in the original Washington Naval Treaty, were limited to 10000 tons. This led to some odd characterizations, such as the Furutaka class being classified as “Heavy” cruisers despite weighing only 7100 tons, while the Mogami class was characterized as “light” cruisers but weighed in at approximately 11000 tons. It was later revealed that the Japanese had lied about the displacement of the Mogami class, leading to Sir Arthur Johns, Director of Naval Construction at the time, famously remarking that they must have been built from cardboard or were lying.

Battleships: Were limited to a minimum gun calibre of 283mm. In practice, some battleships could have guns as large as 460mm, such as the Yamato class. The smallest battleship, excluding the pre-dreadnoughts, was the Japanese Settsu, weighing 16500 tons. The largest to be built and see service were the Yamato class, weighing a monstrous 71000 tons when fully loaded.

These treaties had a significant impact on the design and capabilities of naval vessels during this period, and the distinctions among cruisers, destroyers, and battleships evolved in response to these international agreements.