Iron Duke represents the mature end of Britain's 13.5-inch battleship development. Eighteen water-tube boilers produced 29,000 shaft horsepower and 21.4 knots. A 12-inch belt and a range of 7,718 nautical miles at 10 knots completed a balanced design that few contemporary German ships could comfortably face. The class followed three British classes armed with 12-inch guns and three with 13.5-inch guns, refining an established pattern rather than testing an uncertain concept. Admiral John Jellicoe kept Iron Duke as his flagship after the Queen Elizabeth class entered service because it still suited his needs.
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Iron Duke as Jellicoe's flagship
The Iron Duke class combined 13.5-inch guns, a 12-inch belt, and 21-knot performance in the balanced flagship Admiral Jellicoe chose to retain.