The Mersey-class frigates' long hulls could gain substantial speed from the more capable engines assumed in this scenario. They already provide a comparison with the large steamships that preceded Warrior. Reliable boilers and engines could also remove the need to retain sails. Warrior might therefore emerge without its familiar masts and rig. That possibility depends on sustained reliability as well as peak machinery power.
Notable Point · 8:17:25-8:19:15
Reliable steam power and an earlier end to warship sail rigs
Reliable propulsion could exploit the Mersey frigates' long hulls and let later ironclads abandon sail rigs sooner.