Photo #: S-584-135 Preliminary Design for an Improved Battle Cruiser ... May 16, 1918 Preliminary design plan for an improved version of the planned Constellation (Battle Cruiser # 1) class, prepared as one of a series of preliminary designs in response to Chief Constructor David Taylor's direction to his design staff on 9 April 1918 to prepare designs that merged battleship and battle cruiser qualities in a new ship type. This particular drawing -- designated "Scheme B" -- was laid out by Navy civilian naval architect James L. Bates. Compared with Constellation, "Scheme B" increased armor protection and introduced torpedo side protection while incorporating eight 16-inch guns in place of ten 14-inch guns. This plan provided eight 16-inch guns, electric drive machinery, and a speed of 33 knots in a ship 850 feet long on the waterline, 99 feet in beam, and with a normal displacement of 45,000 tons. Note: The original document was a blueprint (white on dark blue). The original plan is in the 1911-1925 "Spring Styles Book". U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 374KB; 2475 x 1080 pixels