Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:32:05-2:34:38

Finding a fair gunboat opponent for HMS Warrior

Treaty-era gunboats initially look like plausible opponents for Warrior, but their modern guns push the final estimate back toward a pre-First World War vessel.

ArmourGunboatsHMS Warrior (1860)Interwar PeriodIroncladsNaval Gunnery
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What is the most modern ship HMS Warrior could fight on roughly equal terms?

Short answer

Probably a pre-First World War gunboat. Treaty-era examples are considered first, but their modern guns may already make them too powerful for a fair contest.

Notes

A fair opponent depends on speed, gun power, protection, and fire control. A small gunboat could penetrate Warrior's armour yet remain vulnerable to her full broadside, especially if it could not outrun her. The Dragonfly class is considered with a quoted speed of 17 knots and two 4-inch guns. The Insect class's 6-inch guns make an equal contest more doubtful. After comparing those weapons, the final estimate shifts back toward a pre-First World War gunboat, without settling on a particular ship.