defence class ironclad defence class ironclads class warships built royal_navy ships designed armoured frigates response invasion scare sparked launch french ironclad sisters initially armed mix rifled breech loading muzzle loading guns armstrong breech loading guns proved unreliable withdrawn service years ships initially assigned transferred ships rearmed late 1860s completion commission alternated assignments fleet duties reserve rest careers resistance paid target gunnery torpedo trials beginning sold ship breaking wrecked route breaker yard paid stationary training ship sold scrap background admiralty convinced expensive warrior class ironclads double wooden steam powered ships line accepted norm noted inch armour plate warriors adequate ordnance currently afloat high speed necessary prevent existing wooden ships fire ironclads requested design carrying armour smaller slower cheaper warriors rear admiral sir controller navy proposed ships built design ruled ordered december admiralty decision royal_navy pair ships operate warriors tactical squadron inferior french ironclads construction naval architect sir future considered defence class ship worth quarter warrior terms combat cost thirds description defence class feet long perpendiculars feet inches long overall beam feet inches draught feet inches ships displaced long tons tons unlike predecessors fitted ram shape ends hull subdivided watertight transverse bulkheads partial double ship complement officers enlisted men defence class feet inches shorter overall displaced long tons warrior class ironclads propulsion defence class ships single cylinder trunk steam engine sons driving single foot propeller rectangular boilers provided steam engine working pressure psi kpa cm2 engines produced indicated horsepower sea trials gave ships maximum speeds knots mph carried long tons coal steam nautical miles knots mph ironclads barque rigged sail area square feet lower masts iron withstand shock ships knots mph sail reduce wind resistance sail funnel semi retractable similarly propeller hoisted stern ship reduce drag sail armament armament defence class ships intended muzzle loading pounder guns main deck fore aft chase guns upper deck plus armstrong pounder guns early rifled breech design guns inch pounder weighed pound range yards solid shot construction armament changed include defence resistance rifled pounder guns pounders pounder resistance breech loading inch guns defence innovative pound pounder inch shell reach yards short supply ironclads launched poor results armour penetration tests halted plans fully equip ironclads gun pounders blew ships action labour intensive load fire henceforth reduced charge left useless practice ships rearmed late 1860s seven inch inch rifled muzzle loading guns new guns heavier fewer carried ships inch guns mounted amidships main deck broadside pair seven inch guns mounted upper deck fore aft chase guns remaining seven inch guns placed main deck broadside protected ship armour pair main deck aft protected armour ships differed pair seven inch guns positioned defence mounted main deck forward armour resistance mounted upper deck shell inch weighed pounds gun weighed long tons muzzle velocity credited ability penetrate inches wrought iron armour muzzle long ton seven inch gun fired pounds shell penetrate inch armour guns fire solid shot explosive shells armour defence class ships wrought iron armour belt inches thick covered feet amidships armour extended upper deck level feet waterline transverse bulkheads inches thick protected guns main deck fire armour backed inches teak ends ship left entirely unprotected meant steering gear vulnerable sub divided watertight compartments minimize flooding ships service hms defence assigned completion ship paid refit armed briefly reassigned recommissioned defence brief tours refitted guard ship shannon recommissioned ship transferred guard ship defence placed reserve assigned mechanical training school devonport renamed school adopted served sold capital ship royal_navy fitted ram given nickname old initially assigned transferred ironclad assigned squadron resistance rearmed recommissioned ship reassigned channel_fleet duties resistance decommissioned gunnery torpedo trials beginning ship sold scrap following year route breaker yard wreck salvaged later scrapped
Defence-class ironclad