True LH. Eventually the RN had to build similar ships (such as Newcastle and Leander and other large frigates mounting 24 pounder guns, and in the meantime issue orders that single British frigates should not engage these large super-frigates.

The Washington Naval Treaty had limited cruiser to 10,000 tons standard displacement. The German Panzerschiffe (what we called 'pocket battleships') displaced 11,700 tons, the later Hipper class 14,050 then 16,974 tons. The 1924 Japanes Nachi class were 10,980 tons. Light cruisers of the Mogami class (originally 8,500 tons with 15 6.1" guns) were refitted after the Treaty ran out and came out as 12,400 tons cruisers with 10 - 8" guns). The Italian cruiseers were somewhat 'overweight' as well.

Speaking of Dreadnoughts, as we were, might I may a point for 2 strange-looking RN ships, Nelson and Rodney. Their designs date from 1923, and were limited to 35,000 tons by the Washington Treaty. To save weight they grouped the main armament all forward, with the engines further aft. To civilians they were known as the 'Cherry Tree class' (cut down by Washington - geddit?) but in the service they were called Nelsol and Rodnol, from the practice of giving RN engines aft fleet oilers names ending in -ol. It was Rodney that effectively sunk the Bismark, although that ship wasn't going anywhere after aircraft torpedo damage.