Harland and Wolff adapted its building dock for broad monitors

The monitors' short, exceptionally broad hulls allowed Harland and Wolff to construct Abercrombie and Havelock together in the Belfast building dock used for Olympic. Their mass was concentrated amidships, with the main turret forward of center and machinery balancing it aft. The funnel stood behind the observation position so forward movement would carry smoke away from fire control. Boats and lighter fittings occupied the stern rather than disturbing the central weight arrangement. Belfast lacked a crane large enough to install the heavy turrets, so the ships went to the Clyde for fitting by Coventry Ordnance Works.