The Italian fleet enters the campaign with a clear numerical advantage, including more ironclads, yet its many ship types make it harder to organize than Tegetthoff's force. Affondatore, a purpose-built steam ram, is the most conspicuous sign that this is not a conventional broadside fleet. Austria's somewhat more homogeneous organization and personnel give Tegetthoff a practical advantage that a ship list does not show. The comparison establishes why counting hulls and guns alone gives a misleading picture of combat power.
Chapter · 4:03-6:15
Fleet numbers hide Italy's integration problem
The order of battle gives Italy more ironclads and ships, but its heterogeneous force magnifies Persano's command problem.