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There was the USS Texes, it had 10 x 14" guns.
My favorite British up until the Queen Elizabeths (IMHO the best of WWI) was the HMS Agincourt, 14 x 12" guns in 7 turrets.
There was the USS Texes, it had 10 x 14" guns.
My favorite British up until the Queen Elizabeths (IMHO the best of WWI) was the HMS Agincourt, 14 x 12" guns in 7 turrets.
Good point about the three British ships. I knew about the Queen Mary, but not the others so thanks for pointing that out. However, the reason I listed those was the title of this thread is the most powerful. I took that as the ship with the most hitting power. I'd say the 13.5" guns gave them the most powerful broadside pre 1914.
Now, as Viking pointed out, 10x14" guns on the Texas was even better and she was better armored, but she was also post 1914, albeit just a couple months.
BT, thanks for the thoughtful suggestion about the books. I have read "Dreadnought" and "Castles of Steel" is in my personal library. I am currently rereading COS, which action, prompted me to start this thread. I also own a copy (not an original) of Janes 1914. I don't believe that Erin or Agincourt were completed in August, 1914. Texas would be a good choice possibly, especially if she did not have the dratted recip engines. However in Janes it is said that her best recent speed was 22 knots which gave her one knot advantage over the designed speed of Iron Duke, Jellicoe's flagship. Another point for Texas was that she had no turrets amidships like other of her contemporaries. Those amidships turrets were problems. Another candidate might be Viribus Unitas or her sisters. They only mounted 12 inch guns but they were all in triple turrets superimposed. 12-12 inchers.