I wasn't here two years ago, so it's been nice to read through this, didn't even realise it was a necro'd thread to start with. And yes, Google sometimes brings me back here which reminds me, as if I needed it, how nice and informative this place is. :D

The bridges were open for sightseeing. :DL

A bit like the Tyne Bridge...you'll see some right sights there :haha:

Would weight and stability have a factor? Enclosed bridges, especially enclosed by steel, are added weight located up pretty high up. That has to create some moment. Would something like that have any practical effect on stability in poor weather?

I wouldn't have thought so...many other countries had warships with covered bridges.

I do not think that weight would have been the reason because unless it was really over the top like the IJN Japanese pagodas(and they seemed to stay afloat err well non just simply capsized not without a lot of American steel helping it anyway) I would think that a ballast would counter the effect of an enclosed bridge over an open.Besides on a destroyer an enclosed bridge probably only added 5 or 6 tons to the weight.


An open bridge would allow the bridge crew to yell out orders with a megaphone or pure voice if needed without leaving the bridge that could be useful.

Read the post I made two years ago. I think I explained it pretty well back then.

Inresting thread, I didnt understand our love for open bridges either - especially when you consider how much rainfall we get in the UK. :woot: