At roughly 6,400 metric tons, the ships were considered too large, important, and prestigious to lose. They consequently spent much of their lives in reserve or were sent as far from danger as possible. Reconstruction into more capable barbette ships did not remove that institutional reluctance to risk them. Capital ships kept too precious to use may contribute less than their paper strength suggests.
Notable Point · 5:56-6:27
When prestige keeps capital ships out of action
The class's size and prestige made Ottoman commanders reluctant to risk it, illustrating how valuable ships can become operationally inactive.