The Minas Geraes class carried armour high above the waterline instead of relying on a narrow belt. Nine inches protected both parts of the central belt, the casemated gun deck, the turrets, and the after conning position, while the forward conning position had twelve inches. Twelve 12-inch guns and twenty-two 4.7-inch guns gave each ship a heavy main and secondary battery. The wing turrets were arranged without assuming unrealistic cross-deck fire. This combination of protection and firepower made the class a costly opponent for any stronger power considering intervention.
Notable Point · 2:31-4:24
Minas Geraes: armour and turret layout
The Minas Geraes class combined unusually extensive armour with a practical turret arrangement to deter stronger powers.