Q&A ยท 3:03:17-3:03:35

Could Warrior's 68-pounders penetrate her armor?

Why repeated close-range hits could defeat early ironclad armor even when the first shot did not penetrate.

Question

Could HMS Warrior's 68-pounder muzzle-loaders penetrate her own armor?

Short answer

Yes at close range with repeated hits, though probably not with the first round.

Notes

At sufficiently close range, Warrior's 68-pounder muzzle-loaders could eventually defeat armor like her own. The first shot would probably not penetrate cleanly. Repeated second or third impacts on the same area could damage and weaken the protection until a round passed through. The answer distinguishes nominal resistance to one hit from the cumulative behavior of early iron armor under concentrated fire.