Danmark was launched and completed in 1864 but took too long to fit out to enter the Second Schleswig War. Her battery was repeatedly altered from a mixture of 60- and 18-pounders toward twelve 60-pounders and twelve 24-pounders by 1867. The 60-pounder delivered greater punch, while the 24-pounder offered a higher rate of fire. Gunnery changes could not correct the hull's operational faults. At sea she rolled violently and consumed coal at an unsustainable rate, making her expensive and of little practical use. After only one commission she became a reserve and barracks ship and was eventually broken up in 1907.
Chapter · 17:01-18:35
Why new armament could not fix Danmark
Danmark's changing gun battery reflected the value of rate of fire, but heavy rolling and high coal consumption made her an expensive disappointment.