Q&A ยท 56:48-58:06

Gloire and Warrior in a Trafalgar counterfactual

Use an ironclad counterfactual to separate armor and firepower from manoeuvrability and fleet integration.

Question

What if the French ironclad Gloire appeared before Trafalgar?

Short answer

Gloire would resist contemporary gunfire and add major firepower, but her sailing limits and lack of integration would remain serious weaknesses.

Notes

Gloire would bring formidable armour and firepower to the French fleet, but using one unfamiliar vessel would create a command problem. Her sailing qualities were poor, even compared with Warrior, which was itself no ideal sailing ship. Wooden opponents would struggle to damage either ironclad with gunfire, making boarding a plausible response. If Warrior also appeared, Nelson might send her to occupy Gloire while other British ships tried to board and capture the French vessel.