La Gloire was launched in November 1859 and completed in August 1860, making her the first ocean-going ironclad. She combined 120 mm of armor with 36 164 mm (6.5-inch) rifled muzzle-loading guns. Her machinery was unreliable, and she rarely achieved 11 knots against an intended 13. At a stated 5,618 tons, she was also slightly smaller than HMS Mersey and HMS Orlando, the 5,643-ton British frigates already in service. Her lower speed, modest size, and unfamiliar appearance weakened the impression created by her chronological priority. Even some French accounts gave HMS Warrior more attention. Being first did not guarantee La Gloire the dominant place in the public story of the ironclad transition.
Notable Point · 4:52-8:38
Why La Gloire was eclipsed despite being first
La Gloire was the first ocean-going ironclad, yet size, performance, and appearance allowed HMS Warrior to dominate later accounts.