Why the Gorgon class suited coastal defence

Gorgon and Glatton were unusually capable coastal-defence ships, despite their Royal Navy classification as monitors. A coastal-defence ship sacrifices speed because an attacker must come toward the harbour, fjord, or shoreline it protects. That allows displacement to be concentrated in armour and guns, making a well-handled ship a force equalizer against several opponents. Shallow draught lets the class operate close to land while 9.2-inch and six-inch weapons provide both heavy blows and sustained fire. Mature triple-expansion machinery supplies useful range and reliability without pretending to make the ship fast. The design reverses the priorities of a battlecruiser and fits the geography of its intended Norwegian service.