The main-deck 9-inch guns sat in a traditional broadside and were credited with penetrating 11.3 inches of wrought iron. The upper deck carried 7-inch guns, including two bow chasers, with a stated penetration of 7.7 inches. Inconstant could therefore damage armoured opponents, but her own hull carried no armour. A return hit from a comparable weapon posed a much greater danger to her than to an armoured target.
Notable Point · 10:02-10:47
Armour-piercing guns on an unarmoured ship
The ship's broadside could threaten iron armour, although Inconstant's own hull lacked comparable protection.