Ordered in 1864 and built by Laird Brothers at Birkenhead, Huáscar combined steam propulsion, armour, a ram, and a Coles turret in a compact monitor hull. The turret could fire directly ahead and sweep toward both quarters, though it could not fire directly astern. That restricted arc improved stability in the water. A hurricane deck covered the low hull, while a stern chaser discouraged pursuit through the blind spot. The design served as the Peruvian Navy's flagship. Huáscar now survives as the oldest monitor and the second-oldest armoured warship still afloat after HMS Warrior.
Chapter · 5:36-8:00
A monitor built around a powerful turret
Huáscar's monitor layout gave its Coles turret a broad forward firing arc, trading an inability to fire astern for steadiness and a compact fighting arrangement.