Krążownik ciężki – problemy klasyfikacyjne. Część 1: Geneza i definicja krążownika ciężkiego

Abstract

This article is the first in a series of six texts devoted to classification problems in the group of artillery ships such as heavy cruisers. He deals with the genesis of the heavy cruiser and formulates its definition, necessary for making reliable scientific analyzes. In the following, they will be discussed based on the result of comparing the characteristics of specific vessels with the adopted definition of a heavy cruiser: ships of the disputed classification, fleets of this class of ships of all ten countries possessing them, and their global characteristics. Due to the fact that different navies in the world use different classifications of ships for their needs, it is necessary to adopt criteria in military science to classify a specific vessel into a specific class. This is important to be able to make meaningful estimates and comparisons of the strength of fleets, their individual organizational structures, and individual ships. This also applies to heavy cruisers, especially as there are disagreements over the assignment of numerous ships to this collection. The classification of a cruiser as a heavy category is determined by the fulfillment of the following criteria: – primary armaments consisting of at least 6 guns with a caliber exceeding 155 mm but not exceeding 203 mm with the same barrel length; – all main artillery enclosed in towers; – all main artillery towers located along the ship’s longitudinal symmetry axis.