 Experience at the Battle of Jutland led the RMA to conclude that ships with 38 cm guns , heavier armor , and a higher top speed were necessary . The Mackensen design was used as the basis for the Ersatz @-@ Yorck class , which incorporated the larger guns and more armor for the main battery turrets and barbettes . More powerful engines were unavailable to compensate for the extra weight , so the designers were forced to accept a reduced speed . Nevertheless , like the Mackensens , the three ships ordered under the Ersatz @-@ Yorck design were never completed . In response , the British ordered the four Admiral @-@ class battlecruisers , though the British designed the class under the mistaken impression that the Mackensen class would be armed with 38 @.@ 6 cm ( 15 @.@ 2 in ) guns and would be capable of 30 knots ( 56 km / h ; 35 mph ) . Three of the four Admiral @-@ class ships were cancelled ; only HMS Hood was completed after the end of the war . 
