Sails were intended to conserve coal on distant deployments, while copper sheathing limited marine growth on long voyages. The hull incorporated both iron and steel during a transitional period in warship construction. A wooden layer kept the copper from touching those metals because direct contact could cause galvanic corrosion. Long-range endurance depended on machinery, fuel, and a way to control hull fouling without damaging the ship.
Notable Point · 3:06-4:20
Long-range cruising, sails, and coppered hulls
The class's original sailing rig and wood-and-copper hull sheathing reveal the endurance assumptions behind a cruiser expected to work far from home.