The ship's armoured frontal approach made sense only if she charged an enemy formation, accepted raking fire, and then rammed or passed alongside. The scheme drew on the line-breaking tactics associated with Trafalgar and later efforts to strengthen sailing warships against fire from ahead. Shannon translated that Age of Sail tactical memory into an iron steam cruiser even though naval weapons and manoeuvre had changed. The result concentrated heavy protection near the bow, worsened weight distribution, and still did nothing for the exposed guns needed to complete the attack.
Notable Point · 15:24-17:52
A Victorian cruiser designed to refight Trafalgar
Shannon's bow-heavy protection appears to have been an iron-hulled attempt to survive the head-on line-breaking tactics associated with Trafalgar.