Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as naval powers raced to field ever more advanced and powerful warships, not every design lived up to expectations. In today’s video, we explore three especially unusual or problematic naval projects: France’s Charles Martel, radical Russian pre-dreadnought modernization plans, and the proposed conversion of the Italian cruiser Bolzano into a hybrid aircraft carrier.
We begin with Charles Martel, one of five French battleships built in the 1890s as part of the so-called “Fleet of Samples.” Each ship in this group was constructed to a slightly different design by various shipyards, reflecting a fragmented and often inefficient approach to warship development. Though innovative in some ways—Martel was the first French battleship to incorporate nickel-steel belt armor—she suffered from severe design flaws, including excessive top-heaviness, poor stability, and a confusing armament layout that made fire control difficult. Intended as a flexible capital ship, she proved problematic in service and was hulked before World War I. Her troubled design reflected the tension in French naval thought between proponents of massive battleships and advocates of smaller, torpedo-armed vessels.
The video then shifts to the Russian Empire’s ambitious but ultimately impractical attempts to modernize its aging pre-dreadnought fleet following the disastrous Russo-Japanese War. Facing both limited funding and industrial capacity, the Russian Naval General Staff proposed radical reconstructions for ships like Sinop, Georgii Pobedonosets, and Dvenadsat Apostolov. These plans included rearming ships with newer guns, cutting down superstructures, and even modifying armor layouts. However, issues with cost, stability, and minimal combat effectiveness gains led most proposals to be canceled or only partially implemented. Some vessels, such as Panteleimon and Tri Svyatitelya, did undergo partial modernization with updated fire control and minor engine and weapon improvements, but the overall impact was marginal. Historian Stephen McLaughlin notes that while largely invisible, these small upgrades at least allowed some of the older ships to remain modestly effective into World War I.
Finally, we examine the little-known plan to convert the damaged Italian heavy cruiser Bolzano into a hybrid aircraft carrier and fast transport. After being torpedoed in 1942 and towed to La Spezia, Italian naval planners envisioned turning Bolzano into a vessel capable of launching Reggiane Re.2000 fighters via catapults, while also carrying 3,500 tons of cargo. The design called for significant structural changes, including the removal of her superstructure, a simplified propulsion system, and the installation of new anti-aircraft weapons. Though the concept addressed the dire need for convoy escorts and supply vessels in the Mediterranean, the plan was ultimately abandoned due to Italy’s worsening war position. Bolzano was later sunk by British chariots in 1944.
Each of these cases reflects how strategic desperation, limited resources, or flawed naval doctrine could lead to ships that were technically unique—but often tactically ineffective. From Charles Martel to Bolzano, these warships stand as fascinating footnotes in naval history and serve as a reminder that not all grand designs work as intended.
Intro 0:00
Charles Martel 0:41
Russian Pre Dreadnought Refits 8:31
Bolzano Hybrid Refit 15:54
Conclusion 19:54
Sources/Other Reading:
https://www.amazon.com/Mussolinis-Nav...
https://www.amazon.com/War-Mediterran...
https://www.amazon.com/French-Warship...
https://www.amazon.com/The-French-Fle...
https://www.amazon.com/French-Battles...
https://www.usni.org/press/books/russ...
https://www.amazon.com/Warships-Sovie...
https://www.amazon.com/Warship-2015-J...
https://www.amazon.com/Italian-Heavy-...
Video Information:
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