 In their original 1916 configuration , the battlecruisers were to carry ten 14 " / 50 caliber guns in four turrets , with two triple superfiring over two dual because there was not enough beam to accommodate the larger barbettes of the triple turrets slight further forward and aft . They would have a secondary armament of eighteen 5 " / 51 caliber guns on a displacement of 34 @,@ 300 long tons ( 34 @,@ 900 t ) and steam at 35 knots . All of these specifications were tempered by their sparse armor compared with contemporary battleships . C & R estimated 180 @,@ 000 shaft horsepower would be needed to obtain this planned speed . This would require 24 boilers , which became problematic , as there was not enough room for the boilers under the armored deck in such a long , comparatively narrow hull . The solution decided upon was to place half of the boilers above the deck on the centerline with armored boxes fitted around each one . There was also the challenge of the many exhaust uptakes needed . The Lexington 's were given " no less than " seven funnels , four of them side @-@ by @-@ side . 
