A tradition which is entering its third century in American military procurement, by the way. Back when the Continental Congress was authorizing the construction of a Navy, they didn't want the sailor-boys getting carried away, so they specifically allocated money to build frigates -- for patrol, antipiracy, etc. -- rather than ships of the line.
The Navy said "Yes, sir" and laid down the Constitution, a "frigate" the size of a fourth-rate ship of the line.
Flash forward a century: the Royal Navy just launched the HMS Dreadnought, making all existing battleships obsolete. The USN wants to build some, but inland Congressmen are dubious. Finally Congress approves the construction of "coast-defense battleships" to guard against invasion.
The Navy said, "Yes, sir" and laid down the South Carolina class, which were perfectly good blue-water dreadnoughts. The justification was that the best way to defend the coast is to keep the enemy from getting anywhere near it.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Unfortunately...
Date: 2008-06-11 01:23 pm (UTC)The Navy said "Yes, sir" and laid down the Constitution, a "frigate" the size of a fourth-rate ship of the line.
Flash forward a century: the Royal Navy just launched the HMS Dreadnought, making all existing battleships obsolete. The USN wants to build some, but inland Congressmen are dubious. Finally Congress approves the construction of "coast-defense battleships" to guard against invasion.
The Navy said, "Yes, sir" and laid down the South Carolina class, which were perfectly good blue-water dreadnoughts. The justification was that the best way to defend the coast is to keep the enemy from getting anywhere near it.
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