Forecastle, sail rig, and the limits of an early turret ship

Reed disliked Monarch's forecastle because it obstructed forward fire, yet the Admiralty required it for seakeeping on long voyages. The sailing rig also interfered with turret arcs, and firing through the masts risked damage to the ship itself. Contemporary steam engines were not reliable enough for the Royal Navy to dispense with auxiliary sail on worldwide service. Raising the forecastle therefore added another restriction to an arrangement already constrained by masts. Monarch retained much of the hull form of a broadside ironclad while carrying turrets above it.