Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:06:32-2:10:21

Favourite ironclads from Warrior to Devastation

Choices include Warrior, her less frequently remembered sister, Devastation, and the Admiral, Victoria, and Trafalgar classes with their more familiar battleship arrangements.

Admiral Class BattleshipsHMS DevastationHMS Warrior (1860)IroncladsMastless Turret ShipsTrade ProtectionTrafalgar Class BattleshipsVictoria Class Battleships
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Question

What are the panel's favourite ironclads?

Short answer

Choices include Warrior, her less frequently remembered sister, Devastation, and the Admiral, Victoria, and Trafalgar classes with their more familiar battleship arrangements.

Notes

Warrior is one choice, while another contribution favours her frequently overlooked sister. Devastation stands out as a mastless turret ship wholly dependent on steam and is described as remaining on the list until 1907. Retaining older ironclads could provide insurance against losing newer ships in a major war. They might also protect trade against colonial corvettes or similar threats even after becoming unsuitable for the main battle fleet. Another preference is for the Admiral, Victoria, and Trafalgar classes, whose fore-and-aft gun arrangements more closely resemble later battleships.