Inconstant reportedly reached 13.5 knots under sail and was counted among the fastest warships of her day. Her propeller could be hoisted into the hull and her funnels lowered to cut drag when the full ship rig supplied propulsion. The iron hull carried two three-inch layers of oak beneath copper sheathing, which limited biofouling during long deployments. The layered hull may also have helped make her a good seaboat and steady gun platform.
Chapter · 17:10-18:34
A fast sailing frigate with retractable steam machinery
A hoistable propeller, lowerable funnels, and copper sheathing helped Inconstant combine fast sailing with long ocean service.