The Hastings class had a narrower beam and deeper draft for better seakeeping. Shoreham's wider beam and shallower draft traded some open-water performance for access to Chinese rivers and canals. This let the commander-in-chief travel inland, inspect conditions, and conduct diplomacy without leaving a commissioned warship. Geography could shape a presence ship as strongly as weapons or speed.
Notable Point · 22:26-23:43
Shoreham-class draft suited Chinese waterways
A shallower draft let Shoreham-class sloops carry senior commanders inland while remaining aboard a Royal Navy warship.