Guangshui-class battleship

The Guangshui-class battleships (: 广水级战列舰; Guǎngshuǐ jí zhànlièjiàn) were class of three of dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Kodeshi Navy (IKN) before the Grand Campaigns. They were modernized in 1933–1938 with improvements to their armour and machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the mast style. Guangshui, the lead ship of the class, frequently served as a flagship. Afterwards they played a major role in the Great Kesh War.

Background
The IKN considered a battle fleet of three modern battleships and three modern battlecruisers necessary for the defence of Kodeshia, this was the genesis of the Three-Three Fleet Program, the development of a cohesive battle line of 6 capital ships less than three years old. The Guangshui class was designed by the IKN staff, with assistance from Naval Academy students at Imperial College of Science and Technology. The class was to have three ships, to match the planned three battlecruisers as part of the Three-Three plan as the Imperial Navy acquired more dreadnoughts.

Design
The design of the Guangshui-class battleship came about as a result of the IKN's modernization programs, as well as the perceived need to compete with the Akitei and Tiperyn Navies. The Guangshui class was based on the previous Tianlin-class design. The Guangshui-class design was an evolution of the Tianlin, with a more powerful propulsion system as well as an improved superstructure. The Guangshui-class design was intended to be the backbone of the IKN fleet. The adoption of a new 14-inch (356 mm)/45 calibre gun replacing the old 12-inch (305 mm) 50-calibre guns of the Tianlin class was to give the battleships a longer range, better armour protection and a faster rate of fire. The IKN also planned to replace the old triple turrets with new twin turrets. The adoption of the new 14-inch gun was the result of a survey conducted in 1913, the new 14-inch gun was chosen as it was capable of firing a heavier shell than the 12-inch gun, with a longer range, more accurate and more destructive. The adoption of the new 14-inch/45 calibre gun also allowed the IKN to use the same calibre for the main battery as the Akitei-class battleships.

Description
The Guangshui-class design was built to a length of 228.8 metres (730 ft 4 in) and a beam of 31.5 metres (103 ft 5 in) with a draught of 16.9 metres (56 ft 7 in) and a displacement of 41,000 tonnes (41,000 long tons). The Guangshui-class battleships were modernized in 1933–1938 with improvements to their armour and machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the mast style. The modernization of the Guangshui-class design was the result of the new Kodeshi Navies modernization program in the wake of the Kodeshian Civil War and lessons learned from the experience during the Grand Campaigns as well as the ideas drawn from the naval confrontation of the Battle off Airgialla between the Tiperyn Realm Armada and Chezzetcook Marine Nationale in the North Iapetus Ocean in 1929. Which saw the importance of naval aircraft to conduct fleet defense, and pointed to the obsolescence of the battleship as the mainstay of the Imperial Fleet. As a result the modernization of the Guangshui-class design included large increase in the amount of anti aircraft weapons, with the battleships being equipped with two twin 100 mm (3.9 in) anti-aircraft guns and four 76 mm (3 in) anti-aircraft guns, with the main gun turrets being replaced with twin turrets capable of mounting two 100 mm (3.9 in) guns. The Guangshui-class design was equipped with a new radar, the Type T-2, as well as a new fire control system, the Type T-3. The Guangshui-class design was also equipped with a new Type T-5 radio direction finding system. The Type T-2 radar was capable of providing fire control information for up to 12 targets simultaneously, with the Type T-3 fire control system being capable of automatically tracking up to 20 targets simultaneously. The Type T-5 radio direction finding system was capable of providing information for up to 20 targets simultaneously.

Propulsion
The Guangshui-class design was powered by four shafts, four geared steam turbine engines, with a total power of 83,078 horsepower and 18 boilers. The Guangshui-class design was designed to have a maximum speed of 26.5 knots (49.1 km/h; 30.5 mph) and a range of 4,600 nautical miles (8,500 km; 5,300 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a complement of 2074 personnel.

Armament
The Guangshui-class as built was equipped with 5 × twin 356 mm (14 in) Type 38 guns in three single turrets, 4 × twin 152 mm (6 in) Type 38 guns in two twin turrets, 4 × twin 152 mm (6 in) Type 38 guns in two twin turrets, 8 × twin 76 mm (3 in) Type 38 guns in four twin turrets and 4 × 457 mm (18 in) Type 41 torpedo tubes in four single mounts. The Guangshui class was also equipped with the Type 39 searchlights in a fixed positions forward and aft. During the modernization process of the 1930s, all the 76mm (3 in) guns were replaced by 127 mm (5 in)/40 dual-purpose guns. During the reconstruction most of the 152mm (6 in) Type 38 guns were removed as well.

Fire control and sensors
The IKN also planned to adopt a new fire control system for the Guangshui-class design, as the design was intended to be used as the flagship of the Imperial Fleet. The IKN planned for the new fire control system to consist of a new naval fire control director and a new fire control director for the main battery. The fire control director for the main battery was to be capable of tracking 14 targets and firing a salvo of 14 shells per minute, whilst the fire control director for the secondary battery was to be capable of tracking 4 targets and firing a salvo of 4 shells per minute. In addition, the IKN planned for the Guangshui-class design to have an optical rangefinder, a fire control radar and a radio direction finding system.

Armour
The armour protection of the Guangshui-class design was based on the IKN's experience with the previous Tianlin class. Guangshui's armoured belt was 190mm (7.5 in) thick on its face, and was 102mm (4 in) thick over the bottom of the hull. The side armour was 87.5mm (3.5 in) thick, and the main gun turrets had a thickness of 375mm (14.8 in). The barbettes were protected by a layer of 375mm (14.8 in) thick armour. The conning tower of the Guangshui-class design was protected by a layer of 342.5mm (13.5 in) thick armour. The armour protection of the Guangshui class was considered to be sufficient to withstand the firepower of the enemy battleships.

Aircraft
The Guangshui-class design was also equipped with a new hangers facilities for fighter and spotting aircraft which replaced the Flying-off platforms were fitted on all the ships on the roofs of 'B' and 'X' turrets. The Guangshui-class design was also equipped with a new stern catapult that was able to launch floatplanes. The hanger could accommodate three fighter aircraft and seven reconnaissance aircraft.

Construction and service
They were ordered in February 2 1915 with construction of the three ships commenced in 1916 with Guangshui laid down in March 5 1916 followed by Hongfu in March 19 1916 and Beihai in April 3 1916 the ships were commissioned into the Imperial Navy on November 30 1919 for Guangshui, December 12 1919 for Hongfu, with Beihai arriving to the fleet on January 10 1920 during the Grand Campaigns.

Grand Campaigns
The first ship to be used as a flagship during the Grand Campaigns. Guangshui took part in the Siege of the Jade Sea and was then ordered to participate in the Battle of the Jade Sea, on July 12 and was under the command Admiral Weng Wenbing. The Kodeshi fleet led by the battleship Guangshui defeated the enemy force at the Shanggan Archipelago and the enemy vessels withdrew into the port. X was hit by 14 shells of guns but the damage was repaired in a few days and the ship returned to the fleet.

Kodeshian Civil War
During the Kodeshi Civil War which broke out after the Grand Campaigns and lasted for 5 years the Guangshui and Hongfu were frequently used for blockade and other operations on the front and were part of the naval force. Both Guangshui and Hongfu participated in the Kiangsi Intervention where the Imperial Kodeshi Army took control of Kiangsi in 1924, the Guangshui was assigned to the Kodeshi Navy newly formed 1st Fleet which was headquartered in the Yuhai islands, the two were tasked with blockade operations in Kiangsu.

Between the wars
They played little role during the 1930s and were assigned to the reserve of the Kodeshi Navy, all undergoing extensive modernisation programs. She was reactivated in October of the same year but was returned as flagship after two years on December 26 1939.

Great Kesh War
During the Great Kesh War, the ships participated in three campaigns, including two amphibious assaults and a blockade on the island during the Battle of Yuhai Islands, and the Battle of Pearl Sea and the Battle of Komishima. On September 14 1956, Guangshui escorted the Kesh Navy flotilla which attacked the city of Bohai. During the Battle, the two battleships were placed in the front lines.

Guangshui
Guangshui (廣水) was built at the Chengwu Naval Arsenal (成武海军兵工厂). She was initially commanded by Admiral Weng Wenbing (鄂文炳) (1879–1950). After her being completed in 1911 she was given over to Vice Admiral Ruyi Chen. She served as a flagship of the Imperial Fleet for ten years, with the last four years of which was devoted to the Kodeshi Navy's war against Tiperyn and Selengeria, ending with an end of hostilities in 1925. She was put in reserve after the Great Kesh War and then decommissioned in 1964.

Hongfu
Hongfu (洪福) was built at the Jiaxing Naval Arsenal (嘉兴海军兵工厂).

Beihai
Beihai (北海) was built at the Chengwu Naval Arsenal (成武海军兵工厂) When the Beihai was commissioned to the Imperial Kodeshi Navy (IKN), she was only partially completed with her main armament consisting of the 14 × 120 mm guns. Her armament was completed by July 1 1923.