Calypso as a larger Comus final form

Protected corvettes sat between the ironclad battle fleet and the mass of smaller vessels used on distant stations. The nine-ship Comus class provided a successful baseline, but the Royal Navy wanted a slightly larger and more imposing final form. Calypso and Calliope added roughly 390 tons and modest increases in length, beam, and draft. Their indicated horsepower rose substantially even though reported speed remained broadly similar, so the extra power did not automatically produce a faster ship. The result was a pair with more physical presence and fighting weight without turning them into full armored frigates.