 Also , with such a long , narrow hull came a consequent penchant for bending , which led to the challenge of adequate hull strength , especially longitudinal strength . This challenge was complicated in a capital ship by the heavy weight of main turrets and guns . This was an area in which British battlecruisers were notably deficient . Structural members on HMS Invincible were so weak that her double @-@ bottom frames distorted . HMS Renown had to go into drydock immediately following her preliminary gunnery tests because the hull structure could not withstand the bending stresses from firing her forward main guns . When the " large light cruiser " HMS Courageous weathered a heavy gale during her initial trial run , a number of her outer hull plates were so distorted that they had to be removed , sent back to the foundry and renewed . 
