Categories such as central-battery and ironclad frigate can become too rigid when intended range shaped the whole design. A ship built to travel farther needed a longer hull and greater carrying capacity, but comprehensive armour became heavier and more expensive as the protected area grew. Guns imposed another major concentration of weight, so designers sought the greatest useful firepower from each weapon carried. Designers had to balance range, armour coverage, and armament as connected burdens.
Notable Point · 38:34-40:20
Range, armour, and firepower trade-offs
Long-range ironclads could not simply armour every surface: endurance, hull size, protection, weapon weight, and cost had to be balanced together.