A Gloire-versus-Monitor encounter is less lopsided than a comparison with the faster HMS Warrior. Monitor might be able to catch Gloire, so speed alone does not decide the hypothetical engagement. Gloire can operate in open water that would be dangerous for the low-freeboard American monitor. She could therefore refuse combat by remaining beyond Monitor's safe operating environment. Tactical performance depends on seakeeping and the geography in which a ship can actually fight.
Notable Point · 57:37-58:50
Gloire and Monitor show why seakeeping changes a matchup
A counterfactual comparison notes that Monitor might catch the slower Gloire, yet Gloire could remain offshore where the low-freeboard monitor could not safely follow.