The 1850s Royal Navy faced a procurement problem: new technology demanded investment, while politicians remained reluctant to spend. Many senior officers had risen without a major fleet war to test their judgment. Gunnery practice was also limited, with crude towed targets providing only an imperfect substitute for battle. HMS Agamemnon shows how recently the older solution had seemed modern. She was designed from the keel up for auxiliary steam but retained a large smoothbore muzzle-loading battery. Only a little over eight years separated her launch from Warrior's.
Notable Point · 7:58-13:59
Investment and training in a long peace
Political reluctance to spend constrained naval investment, while long peace and limited gunnery practice left officers insufficiently tested.