HMS Northampton carried adjustable-volume steam cylinders intended to draw maximum power from limited steam, an attractive idea for ships expected to serve far from home. In service, the complicated machinery fell short of that promise. Northampton reached about 13.17 knots on trials, while Nelson reached 14.1 knots with two engines and two shafts. Both ships were laid down in 1874, but Northampton entered service in 1878 and Nelson in 1880. Their assignments matched the design's distant-station purpose: Northampton served in North America and the West Indies, and Nelson in Australia.
Notable Point · 3:12-4:43
Northampton's ambitious machinery and Nelson's better speed
Northampton's advanced adjustable steam cylinders disappointed, while Nelson achieved the better trial speed with a more dependable twin-engine, twin-shaft arrangement.