INTRODUCTION TO SHIP CHARACTERISTICS
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Main Class
Characteristics
Class name, ship type
including hull material, masted or not, type of gun
mountings etc. Plus other ships of class. For name ship
- year construction started, launch and completion
years, displacement tonnage, length and beam, followed
by notes.
Guns continued to be mounted on a broadside within the
hull, no different to ships of the Napoleonic Wars. This
was followed by the introduction of central
batteries, barbettes and turrets.
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Machinery
as designed
(name ship)
Listed in order boilers, engines, propeller shafts, horse
power and speed.
Boilers went from rectangular to cylindrical and water
tube, pressures increased from 20psi to 300+psi.
A variety of reciprocating steam engines developed from
single expansion to compound and finally triple expansion.
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Armour
as designed
(name
ship)
Started with hull belt and internal bulkheads. Went on to
include citadel, barbettes, gun houses or turrets, conning
tower, and decks.
Armour developed from wrought iron to steel, compound,
nickel steel, Harvey and Krupp.
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Armament
as listed
(name ship)
Developments include muzzle-loading smoothbore (SB),
breech-loading smoothbore (BL), muzzle-loading rifled
barrel (MLR), breech-loading rifled (also BL), to
wire-wound barrels.
Mounts developed from gun carriages to turrets, barbettes
and back to turrets.
Introduction
to Gunnery in preparation
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Representative
Images
All images are thanks to Photo Ships unless otherwise
identified.
One observation - the
challenge of keeping masts, rigging and sails clean in
the presence of smoke-belching funnels.
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Class 1 - ROYAL NAVY'S
RESPONSE TO THE FRENCH BROADSIDE IRONCLAD GLOIRE
FS Gloire, iron armour on wooden hull
Class 1.1 Ten New Build
Iron-hulled Ironclads
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HMS WARRIOR
the first British ironclad, but built on an iron hull
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WARRIOR-class
broadside ironclad,
iron-hulled, masted, also Black
Prince (2)
1859/60/61 (2 yrs), 9137t, 380ft ppx58ft
First ocean-going iron armoured ships. Designated armoured
frigate as it had a single gun-deck, and reclassified as
armoured cruisers c 1880.
Warrior has been fully restored and is moored in
Portsmouth, England.
|
10
rectangular boilers,
Penn HSET
(Horizontal Single
Expansion Trunk), 2-cyl, double-acting,
engine,
1 shaft,
5267ihp = 14kts,
coal 850t
Early
ironclad boiler pressure listed as 20psi. |
Iron
armour
belt 4.5in with 18in wood backing,
bulkheads 4.5in. |
completed
as:
10-110pdr BL (breech-loading),
26-68pdr SB (muzzle-loading
smooth bore),
4-70pdr BL.
listed in 1867 as:
4-8in MLR (muzzle-loading
rifled),
28-7in MLR,
4-20pdr BL.
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HMS Warrior (Cyber-Heritage)
|
DEFENCE-class
broadside ironclad, iron-hulled,
masted, also Resistance
(2)
1859/61/61 (2 yrs), 6150t, 280ft ppx54ft
Smaller version of Warrior,
but ram bow
|
4
rectangular boilers,
Penn HSET engine,
1 shaft,
2540ihp = 11.5kts,
coal 460t |
belt
4.5in with 18in wood backing,
bulkheads 4.5in |
completed
as:
8-7in BL,
10-68pdr SB,
4-5in BL.
listed in 1867 as:
2-8in MLR,
14-7in MLR.
|
HMS Resistance
|
HECTOR-class
broadside ironclad, iron-hulled,
masted, also
Valiant (2)
1861/62/64 (3 yrs), 6710t, 280ft ppx56ft
Similar
to Defence, part of HMS Vernon
torpedo school in 1900.
At Vernon, became first ship fitted with a wireless
transmitter.
|
6
boilers,
Maudslay HRCR
(Horizontal Return Connecting Rod) engine,
1 shaft,
3260ihp = 12.5kts,
coal 450t. |
belt
and battery 4.5in,
bulkheads 2.5in. |
completed
with:
4-7in BL, upper deck,
20-68pdr SB, battery deck.
listed as:
2-8in MLR,
16-7in MLR. |
HMS Hector |
ACHILLES,
broadside ironclad, iron-hulled,
masted
1861/63/64 (3 yrs), 9829t, 380ft ppx58ft
Modified Warrior
Only
British warship to have four masts, but bow mast removed
in 1865.
|
10
rectangular boilers,
Penn HSET engine
1 shaft,
5720ihp = 14.5kts,
coal 1000t.
Boiler
pressure increased to 25psi. |
belt
4.5in with 18in wood backing,
bulkheads 4.5in,
battery 4.5in. |
completed
with:
4-110pdr BL, upper deck,
16-100pdr SB, at middle ports.
listed in 1868 as:
22-7in MLR,
4-8in MLR. |
HMS Achilles ( (c) National Maritime Museum)
|
MINOTAUR-class,
broadside
ironclad, iron-hulled,
masted, also Agincourt,
Northumberland (3)
1861/63/68 (7 yrs), 10,690t, 400ft ppx59ft
Enlarged Achilles
Fitted with five masts of varying rig. By
1875 Minotaur
was first RN ship to carry a searchlight.
|
10
rectangular boilers,
Penn 2 cyl HT
(Horizontal Trunk)
engine,
1 shaft,
6700ihp = 14.5kts
Northumberland,
first ship equipped with steam steering gear. |
belt
and battery 5.5in amidships and 4.5in at ends with 10in
wood backing
bulkhead 5.5in
Northumberland equipped with conning tower, 4.5in. |
listed
as:
4-9in MLR
24-7in MLR
8-24pdr SB |
HMS Minotaur |
Class 1.2 - Conversion of Wooden 2nd Rates Building to
Armoured Warships
In response to the French
building programme, seven wooden 2nd rates building were
converted to armoured warships. The first four were
completed quickly - the Royal Oak and three Prince
Consort class. The Royal Alfred, Zealous and Repulse
were delayed until the first four could be assessed.
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ROYAL
OAK, broadside
ironclad, wood-hulled,
masted
1860/62/63 (3 yrs), 6366t, 273ft ppx58ft
Laid down as wooden 2nd Rate/91 guns. Clowes lists her as
a Prince Consort sister-ship
|
6
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
3000ihp = 12.5kts,
coal 550t. |
belt
and battery 4.5in. |
completed
with:
8-7in BLR,
24-68pdr SB.
listed in 1867 as:
4-8in MLR,
20-7in MLR. |
HMS Royal Oak |
PRINCE
CONSORT,
broadside ironclad, wood-hulled,
masted, also Caledonia,
Ocean
1860/62/64 (4 yrs), 6832t, 273ft ppx24ft
Laid down as 2nd Rates/91 guns, designated as armoured
frigate, half-sisters to Royal Oak.
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8
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
1000nhp = 12.5kts. |
belt
and battery 4.5in amidships, 3in forward and aft.
|
completed
with:
7-7in BLR,
8-100pdr SB,
16-68pdr SB.
listed in 1867 as:
4-8in MLR.
20-7in MLR. |
HMS Ocean (Wikipedia) |
The four delayed ships - Zealous, Royal Alfred and
Repulse
|
ZEALOUS,
central battery ironclad, wood-hulled,
masted
1859/64/66 (7 yrs), 6096t, 252ft ppx58ft
Laid down as 2nd Rate/90, designated as armoured frigate.
|
6
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
3623ihp = 11.5kts |
belt
and battery 4.5in,
bulkheads 3in. |
20-7in
MLR. |
HMS Zealous |
ROYAL
ALFRED, central
battery ironclad, wood-hulled,
masted
1859/64/67 (8 yrs), 6707t, 273ft ppx58ft
Laid down as 2nd Rate/90, designated as armoured
frigate with box battery and armour as for the later Bellerophon
(completed in 1866).
|
6
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
3230ihp = 12.5kts. |
belt
and battery 6in,
bulkheads 4.5in.
|
10-9in
MLR
8-7in MLR |
HMS Royal Alfred |
REPULSE,
central battery
ironclad,
wood-hulled,
masted
1859/68/70 (11 yrs), 6190t, 252ft ppx59ft
Laid down as 2nd Rate/90, similar to Zealous
with shorter box battery
Last wooden capital
ship completed for RN.
|
6
rectangular boilers,
Penn HT engine,
1 shaft,
3350ihp = 12.5kts |
belt
and battery 6in,
bulkheads 4.5in. |
12-8in
MLR.
4-16in torpedo carriages with 12 torpedoes by 1880. |
HMS Repulse |
Class 1.3 - Conversion of Other Wooden Vessels to
Armoured Warships
|
ROYAL
SOVEREIGN, coast
defence turret ship, wood-hulled,
mastless
1849/57/64 (13 yrs), 5080t, 240ft pp x 62ft
ex-121 gun 1st rate.
First RN turret ship completed. Note: coast
defence turret ship Prince Albert, although designed
earlier was not completed until 1866. |
Maudslay
2 cyl HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
2460ihp = 11kts |
Belt
5.5in-4.5in,
turrets 10in-5.5in,
conning tower 5.5in,
upper deck 1in. |
5-10.5in
(3xl, W) SB. |
HMS Royal Sovereign |
FAVORITE,
central battery ironclad
corvette, wood-hulled,
masted
1860/64/66 (6 yrs), 3232t, 225ft ppx46ft
Laid down as screw corvette.
Name is French spelling
|
4
boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant 2 cyl DA
(Direct Acting) engine,
1 shaft,
1770ihp = 12kts |
belt
4.5in with 26in wood backing,
battery 4.5in with 19in wood backing,
bulkheads 4.5in. |
8-100pdr
SB |
HMS Favorite
|
RESEARCH,
central battery ironclad Sloop, wood-hulled,
masted
1861/63/64 (3 yrs), 1743t, 195ft ppx38ft
Laid down as 17 gun screw sloop, first
small ironclad and first box battery ship
|
2
tubular boilers,
Watt 2 cyl HDA
(Horizontal Direct Acting) engine
1 shaft,
1040ihp = 10.5kts. |
belt,
battery and bulkheads 4.5in, backing 19.5in wood. |
4-100pdr
'Somerset' SB (method of firing guns fore and aft as well
as on the broadside) |
HMS Research |
Class 1.4 - Interim New Build Wooden-Hulled Ironclads
"It has
been said that the iron-hulled armoured ship Warrior
was laid down in the spring of 1859; yet it should be
added here that, for several years later, the
Admiralty seemed unable to make up its mind whether,
after all, iron was or was not to be the building
material of future heavy fighting ships. In
that period of apparent doubt and hesitation it caused
both iron-hulled and wooden-hulled armoured ships to
be constructed. The
wooden-hulled ones are briefly noted below:
Lord
Clyde and Lord
Warden, Pallas,
Enterprise
(Clowes)
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LORD
CLYDE-class
broadside ironclad, wood-hulled,
masted, also Lord
Warden (2)
1863/64/66 (3 yrs), 7750t, 280ft pp x 59ft
Frigate, based on Bellerophon
Last
of the broadside ships
Lord Warden was the heaviest
wooden ship ever built
|
9
rectangular boilers,
Ravenhill 2 cyl HT engine,
1 shaft,
6064ihp = 13.5kts |
belt
and battery 5.5in amidships, 4.5in ends with 6in wood
backing,
conning tower 4.5in. |
completed
with:
24-7in MLR.
listed as:
2-9in MLR,
14-8in MLR,
2-7in MLR,
2-20pdr BL. |
HMS Lord Clyde |
PALLAS,
central batterv
ironclad corvette, wood-hulled,
masted
1863/65/66 (3 yrs), 3661t, 225ft pp x 50ft
Purpose built, intended as iron ship, but built in wood to
use up existing timber stocks
|
4
rectangular boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant HC
(Horizontal Compound) 2HP/2LP cyl engine,
1 shaft,
3580ihp = 12.5kts
First
warship fitted with compound steam engine |
belt,
battery and bulkheads 4.5in with 22in wood backing,
conning tower added by 1872. |
4-7in
MLR,
2-7in BL. |
HMS Pallas |
ENTERPRISE,
central battery
ironclad sloop, composite-hull,
masted
1862/64/64 (2 yrs), 1350t, 180ft ppx36ft
Laid down as wooden screw sloop, first composite
construction - partly iron hull on wood frame.
|
2
tubular boilers,
Ravenhill 2 cyl HDA engine,
1 shaft,
690ihp = 10kts |
belt,
battery and bulkheads 4.5in, backing 19.5in wood |
2-100pdr
SB,
2-110pdr BL. |
HMS Enterprise |
Class
2
- DEVELOPMENT OF A VARIETY OF NEW-BUILD CENTRAL
BATTERY IRONCLADS
"The
rise of the iron-built, sea-going ironclad, and its
development may now be studied without further
interruption" (Clowes)
|
BELLEROPHON,
central battery ironclad, masted
1863/65/66 (3 yrs), 7551t, 300ft pp x 56ft
Next stage in ironclad design
200-300t
steel employed to save hull weight. |
8
rectangular boilers,
Penn 2 cyl HT ,
1 shaft,
6521ihp = 14kts
First RN ship with balanced rudder. |
belt
and battery 6in with 10in wood backing,
bulkheads 5in,
conning tower 8in. |
10-9in
MLR,
5-7in MLR.
Two
launching carriages for 16in Whitehead torpedoes fitted
by 1884. |
HMS Bellerophon |
PENELOPE,
central battery armoured corvette, masted
1865/67/68 (3 yrs), 4470t, 260ft pp x 50ft
Last small
ironclad, but classified as armoured corvette
|
4
boilers,
Maudslay 3 cyl HRCR engine,
2 shaft,
4763hp = 12.5kts.
First
British warship listed here as twin screw - because of
shallow draught. |
belt
6in with 10-11in wood backing,
bulkheads 4.5in,
battery 6in,
|
8-8in
MLR,
3-5in BLR,
2-20pdr BLR. |
HMS Penelope |
HERCULES,
central battery ironclad, masted
1866/68/68 (2 yrs), 8677t, 325ft pp x 59ft
Enlarged Bellerophon |
9
rectangular boilers,
Penn 2 cyl HT engine,
1 shaft,
7178ihp = 14.5kts.
Boiler pressure increased to 30psi. |
belt
9in-6in with 10in-20in wood backing,
bulkheads 6in-5in,
battery 8in-6in. |
8-10in
MLR
2-9in MLR
4-7in MLR
2-14in
TC's fitted 1878, and net defence in 1886. |
HMS Hercules
|
AUDACIOUS,
central battery ironclad, masted,
also Invincible, Iron
Duke, Vanguard (4)
1867/69/70 (3 yrs), 5909t, 280ft pp x 54ft
Design based on Defence, referred
to as 2nd-class ironclads for service on foreign stations
|
6
rectangular boilers,
2-2 cyl HRCR engines,
2 shaft,
4020ihp = 13kts. |
belt
8-6in with 10in-8in wood backing,
bulkheads 5in,
battery 6in. |
10-9in
MLR,
4-6in MLR,
6-20pdr BL saluting. |
HMS
Audacious |
HMS SULTAN
Ran aground in Comino Channel between Malta and Gozo 6
March 1889, flooded and sank. Later raised and modernised
|
SULTAN,
central battery ironclad, masted
1868/70/71 (3 yrs), 9290t, 325ft pp x 59ft
Improved Hercules |
Penn
2 cyl HT engine,
1 shaft,
7720ihp = 14kts |
belt
9in-6in with 10-12in wood backing,
bulkheads 6in-4.5in,
main battery 9in,
upper battery 8in.
|
8-10in
MLR,
4-9in MLR,
7-20pdr BL saluting.
Refitted in 1879 to carry two torpedo boats. |
HMS Sultan
|
SWIFTSURE,
central battery ironclad, masted,
also Triumph (2)
1868/70/72 (4 yrs), 6910t, 280ft pp x 55ft
2nd-class,
modified Audacious for Pacific
service
First
British iron-hulled capital ships sheathed in wood and
copper because iron fouled more quickly than wood. |
6
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay 2 cyl HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
4910ihp = 13.75kts
Last
ships fitted with lifting screws. |
belt
8in-6in with 8in-10in wood backing,
bulkheads 5in-4in,
battery 6in,
|
10-9in
MLR,
4-6in MLR,
6-20pdr BL saluting. |
HMS Triumph
|
ALEXANDRA,
central battery
ironclad, masted
1873/75/77 (4 yrs), 9492t, 325ft pp x 63ft
Improved Sultan. |
12
cylindrical boilers,
Humphreys 2 cyl VIC
(Vertical Inverted Compound) engine,
2 shaft,
8498ihp = 15kts
First
vertical inverted compound engine.
Boiler
pressure increased to 60psi. |
belt
12in-6in with 10in-12in wood backing,
bulkheads 8in-5in,
main battery 12in,
upper battery 8in,
deck 1in-1.5in. |
2-11in MLR,
10-10in MLR,
6-20pdr BL saluting,
4 TC. |
HMS Alexandra
|
SUPERB,
central battery
ironclad, masted
1873/75/80 (7 yrs), 9710t, 332ft pp x 59ft
ex-Turkish, enlarged Hercules |
9
rectangular boilers,
Maudslay 2 cyl HDA engine,
1 shaft,
6580ihp = 13kts, |
belt
12in-7in with 8in-12in backing,
bulkheads 10in,
battery 12in,
conning tower 8in
decks l.5in |
16-10in
MLR,
4-14in TL.
right - after 1891 refit, including new engines, boilers,
funnels, masts and armament |
HMS Superb |
BELLEISLE,
armoured Rams, mastless,
also Orion (2)
1874/76/78 (4 yrs), 4870t, 245ft pp x 52ft
ex-Turkish,
reclassified as 2nd class battleship, then coast defence
ships |
4
boilers,
Maudslay 2 cyl HDA engine,
2 shaft,
4040ihp = 13kts. |
belt
12in-6in with 10in-16in backing,
bulkheads 9in-5in,
battery 10.5in-8in,
conning tower 9in,
main deck 3in-2in, |
4-12in
MLR,
4-20pdr,
2-14in TL. |
HMS Belleisle |
Class
3 - VARIOUS IRONCLADS, including COAST DEFENCE, RAMS,
ARMOURED CRUISERS and GUNBOATS
Note:
1. HMS Viper, Vixen, Waterwitch, class of three armoured
gunboats, and partially belted cruisers HMS Shannon,
Nelson, Northampton in the above list, are not included
in the Conway's capital ships section following.
2. All ships had iron hulls.
3. All heavy guns were muzzle loaders.
|
SCORPION-class
armoured turret ships, masted,
also Wivern (2)
1862/63/65, 2751t, 224ft pp x 42ft 4in
Seized while building for Confederate States of
America during Civil War |
4
boilers,
Lairds 2 cyl HDA engine,
1 shaft,
1450ihp = 10.5kts. |
belt
4.5in-2in with 8in-10in wood backing,
turrets 10in-5in. |
4-9in
MLR (2x2) |
HMS Scorpion
|
PRINCE
ALBERT, coast
defence turret ship, mastless
1862/64/66 (4 yrs), 3687t, 240ft pp x 48ft
|
4
rectangular boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant 2 cyl HDA engine,
1 shaft,
2128ihp = 11kts |
belt
4.5in with 18in wood backing,
turrets 10in-5.5in with 14in wood backing,
upper deck 1 1/8in |
4-9in
MLR
First British
iron-hulled turret ship (coast defence),
designed before Royal
Sovereign, although the latter was completed
earlier in 1864 |
HMS Prince Albert
|
MONARCH,
turret ship, masted
1866/68/69 (3 yrs), 8322t, 330ft pp x 57ft
First seagoing turret
ship |
9 boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant 2 cyl HRCR engine,
1 shaft,
7842ihp = 15kts |
belt
7in-4.5in with 12in-10in backing,
bulkheads 4.5in-4in,
turrets 10in-8in,
conning tower 8in. |
4-12in
MLR,
3-7in MLR.
Equipped
with auxiliary machinery for steering, capstan and
turret training. |
HMS Monarch
|
CERBERUS-class
coast defence monitors, mastless,
also Magdala (2)
1867/68/70 (3 yrs), 3344t, 225ft pp x 45ft
Built for colonial service at Melbourne and Bombay,
Cerberus' hull
survives as a breakwater near Melbourne |
Maudslay
engine (2 horizontal, 2-cyl, double-acting steam engine -
HDA, Wiki),
2 shaft,
1369ihp=10kts |
belt
8in-6in with 11in-9in wood backing,
breastwork 9in-8in,
turrets 10in-9in,
decks 1in-1.5in. |
4-10in
MLR (2x2)
Mastless design gave fore and aft turrets almost
uninterrupted arcs of fire. |
HMS Cerberus (Australian War Memorial) |
CAPTAIN,
turret ship, masted
1867/69/70 (3 yrs), 7767t, 320ft pp x 53ft
Similar to Monarch but with
turrets one deck lower. Lost in 1879 in near hurricane,
caused by low level of stability. |
8
rectangular boilers,
4 cyl HT engine,
2 shaft,
5400ihp = 15.25kts |
belt
8in-4in,
turrets 10in-9in,
conning tower 7in. |
4-12in
MLR (2x2),
2-7in MLR, |
HMS Captain
|
ABYSSINIA,
coast defence
monitor, mastless
1868/70/70 (2 yrs), 2901t, 225ft pp x 42ft
Also for colonial service at Bombay, smaller and cheaper
version of Cerberus |
Dudgeon
single expansion engine (2 x 2-cyl single expansion,
Wiki),
2 shaft,
1200ihp= 10kts. |
belt
7in-6in with 11in-9in wood backing,
breastwork 8in-7in,
turrets 10in-8in. |
4-10in
MLR (2x2) |
HMS Abyssinia
|
GLATTON,
coast defence and attack (breastwork) monitor, mastless
1868/71/73 (5 yrs), 4912t, 245ft pp x 54ft
Designed for attacking enemy coasts, also as coast defence
ship |
Laird
engines,
2 shaft,
2870ihp = 12kts |
belt
12in-10in with 21in-15in wood backing,
bulkhead 12in,
breastwork 12in,
turret 14in-12in,
conning tower 9in-6in,
decks 3in-1.5in. |
2-12in
MLR (1x2) |
HMS Glatton |
HOTSPUR,
ironclad ram, mastless
1868/70/71 (3 yrs), 4331t, 235ft pp x 50ft
Similar to Glatton, relegated to
coast defence ship |
Napier
steam engines,
2 shaft,
3500ihp = 12.5kts |
belt
11in-8in,
breastwork 8in,
gun house 10in-8.5in,
conning tower 10in-6in,
decks 2.5in-1in
Refitted
with compound and steel armour by 1883. |
1-12in
MLR,
2-64pdr MLR. |
HMS Hotspur |
CYCLOPS-class
coast defence
monitors, mastless, also Gorgon,
Hecate, Hydra (4)
1870/71/77 (7 yrs), 3480t, 225ft pp x 45ft
Repeats of Cerberus |
John
Elder 2 cyl CE (compound expansion) engine,
2 shaft,
1660ihp = 11kts |
belt
8in-6in with 11in-9in backing,
breastwork 9in-8in, turrets 10in-9in,
Cconning tower 9in-8in,
decks l.5in. |
4-10in
MLR (2x2). |
HMS Hecate |
DEVASTATION-class
turret ships,
mastless, also Thunderer
(2)
1869/71/73 (4 yrs), 9330t, 285ft pp x 62ft
Enlarged version of Cerberus, described
as "revolutionary vessels" - first mastless, seagoing
turret ships, and a pattern for future battleships |
8
rectangular boilers,
2 cyl Penn Trunk Engines,
2 shafts,
6640ihp = 14kts |
belt
12in-8.5in with 18in-16in wood backing,
bulkheads 6in-5in,
breastwork 12in-10in,
turrets 14in-10in,
conning tower 9in-6in,
decks 3in-2in. |
4-12in
MLR (2x2)
Thunderer - first ship to use hydraulic loading gear; in
forward turret. |
HMS Devastation |
RUPERT,
ironclad ram,
mastless
1870/72/74 (4 yrs), 5440t, 250ft pp x 53ft
Enlarged Hotspur with Glatton-type
turret |
Napier
engines,
2 shaft,
4630ihp= 13.5kts
Equipped
with triple Expansion engines by 1893. |
belt
11in-9in with 14in-10in wood backing,
breastwork 10in,
turrets 14in-12in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 3in-2in, |
2-10in
MLR (1x2),
2-64pdr MLR |
HMS Rupert |
NEPTUNE,
turret ship, masted
1873/74/81 (8 yrs), 9130t, 300ft pp x 63ft
Ex-Brazilian, improved Monarch |
8
rectangular boilers,
2 cyl Penn HT engine,
1 shaft,
7993ihp = 14kts. |
belt
12in-9in,
citadel 10in sides, 8in bulkheads,
turrets 13in-11in,
conning tower 8in-6in,
decks 3in-2in. |
4-12in
MLR (2x2),
2-9in MLR,
6-20pdr BL,
2-14in TC. |
HMS Neptune |
DREADNOUGHT,
turret ship, mastless
1870/75/79 (9 yrs), 10,886t, 320ft pp x 63ft
Enlarged Devastation
|
12
cyl boilers,
2 cyl Humphreys & Tennant VCE
(Vertical Compound Expansion),
2 shaft,
8206ihp = 14.5kts,
coal 1800t.
|
belt
14in-8in with 18in-15in wood backing,
citadel 14in-11in,
conning tower 14in-6in,
decks 3in-2.5in, |
4-12.5in
MLR (2x2) |
HMS Dreadnought |
TEMERAIRE,
central
battery/barbette ship, masted
1873/76/77 (4 yrs), 8540t, 285ft pp x 62ft
Hybrid build with guns in a central battery, as well
as 2-11in guns on
Moncrieff disappearing mountings in barbettes, one fore
and one aft. |
12
cylindrical boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant 2 cyl VIC
(Vertical Inverted Compound),
2 shaft,
7697ihp = 14.5kts |
belt
11in-5.5in with 10in-12in wood backing,
bulkheads 8in-5in,
battery 6in,
barbettes 10in-8in,
deck 1.5in-1in.
|
4-11in
MLR,
4-10in MLR,
4-20pdr BL,
2TL.
The
first British battleships with guns mounted in barbettes
|
HMS Temeraire |
INFLEXIBLE,
turret ship, masted
1874/76/81 (7 yrs), 11,880t, 320ft pp x 75ft
Built in answer to the Italian Duilio with its 4-17.7in
guns. |
12
cyl boilers,
3 cyl Elder CE (Compound Expansion) engines,
2 shaft,
8407ihp = 14.5kts
|
citadel
24in-16in
sides , 22in-14in bulkheads,
turrets 17in-16in
conning tower 12in.
decks 3in.
24in
was the thickest armour in the RN
First
ship to use compound armour for turrets and citadel
|
4-16in
MLR (2x2)
,
6-20pdr BL,
2-14in TT sub,
2-14in TC,
The
16in were the heaviest MLR's in the RN.
First ship to have submerged TT. |
HMS Inflexible
|
AGAMEMNON-class
turret ships,
mastless, also
Ajax (2)
1876/79/83 (7 yrs), 8510t, 280ft pp x 66ft
Small version of Inflexible
|
10
tubular boilers,
3 cyl Penn IC (Inverted
Compound) engines,
2 shaft,
6000ihp = 13kts
Inverted
compound engines continued to be installed until the
building of triple expansion-engined HMS Victoria,
laid down in 1885.
|
citadel
18in-15in sides, 16.5in-13.5in bulkheads,
turrets 16in-14in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 3in. |
4-12.5in
MLR (2x2),
2-6in BL (2xl),
6-6pdr QF,
2 TC.
Last British capital ships armed with muzzle loaders.
First
ship to have a secondary armament. |
HMS Agamemnon
|
Class
4 - VARIOUS IRONCLADS LEADING to the
"PRE-DREADNOUGHTS"
Notes:
1. Armoured cruisers Imperieuse and Warspite, and the
class of six Orlandos in the above list, are not
included in the Conway's capital ships section
following.
2. Ram
ships were built by various nations following the
apparently successful ramming of a ship during the
Italian/Austro-Hungarian Battle of Lissa 1866.
3.
Battleships are no longer carrying masts for sailing
rigs.
4. All ships had steel hulls, twin-screws and fitted
for the discharge of Whitehead torpedoes
|
CONQUEROR-class
turret rams,
also Hero (2)
1879/81/86 (7 yrs), 6200t, 270ft pp x 58ft
Improved Rupert, too small
for ocean-going, but too big for coast defence |
8
cyl boilers,
Humphreys 3 cyl IC engines,
2 shaft,
4500ihp = 14kts |
belt
12in-8in,
bulkhead 11in,
citadel 12in-10.5in,
turret 14in-12in,
conning tower 12in-6in,
decks 2.5in-1.5in. |
2-12in
BL (1x2),
4-6in BL (4xl),
7-6pdr QF (7xl),
5-3pdr QF (5xl),
6-14in TT aw. |
HMS Conqueror
|
COLOSSUS-class
turret ships,
also Edinburgh
(2)
1879/82/86 (7 yrs), 9420t, 325ft pp x 68ft
Enlarged Ajax/Agamemnon class
First British battleship class to use steel for majority
of the hull. |
Maudslay
3 cyl IC engines,
2 shaft,
7488ihp = 16.5kts. |
citadel
18in-14in sides, 16in-13in bulkheads,
turrets 16in-14in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 3in-2.5in.
Compound armour for hull as well as turrets. |
4-12in
BL (2x2),
5-6in BL (5xl),
4-6pdr QF (4xl),
2-14in TT.
First
British battleship (but see Conqueror-class turret ram
above) to carry large breech-loading guns, and a
"useful" 6in secondary armament. |
HMS Edinburgh (Cyber-Heritage) |
Designs leading up to "pre-Dreadnought" battleship, from
barbettes to turrets, and engines from inverted compound
to triple expansion, starting with the Admiral-type
barbette ships
|
COLLINGWOOD,
Admiral-type barbette
ship
1880/82/87 (7 yrs), 9500t, 325ft pp x 68ft
Pattern for British battleships until HMS
Dreadnought
|
12
cyl boilers,
Humphreys 2 cyl IC,
2 shaft,
9600ihp = 17kts
Boiler
pressure 90psi.
First
major warship with forced-draught to boilers. |
belt
18in-8in,
bulkheads 16in-7in,
barbettes 11.5in-10in,
conning tower 12in-2in,
decks 3in-2in. |
4-12in BL (2x2),
6-6in BL (6xl),
12-6pdr (12xl),
8-3pdr (8xl),
4-14in TT aw.
First
British all-barbette ship for main guns
6in
guns to provide defence against torpedo boats. |
HMS Collingwood
|
ANSON,
Admiral-type
barbette ships, also Camperdown,
Howe, Rodney
(4) (Camperdown rammed
and sank Victoria 22 June 1993)
1883/86/89 (6 yrs), 10,600t, 330ft pp x 68ft
Collingwood
repeats |
12
cyl boilers,
Humphreys 3 cyl IC,
2 shaft,
11,500ihp = 17kts. |
belt
18in-8in,
bulkheads 11.5in-7in,
barbettes 14in-12in,
conning tower 12in-2in,
decks 3in-2.5in. |
4-13.5in BL (2x2),
6-6in BL (6xl),
12-6pdr (I2xl),
10-3pdr (10xl),
5-14in TT aw (1 bow, 4 broadside). |
HMS Anson
|
BENBOW,
Admiral-type
barbette ship
1882/85/88 (6 yrs), 10,600t, 330ft pp x 68ft
Last
of Admiral-type. |
12
cyl boilers,
Maudslay 3 cyl IC,
2 shaft,
10,860ihp = 17.5kts, forced draught/ |
belt
18in-8in.
bulkheads 16in-7in,
barbettes 14in-12in,
conning tower 12in-2in.
decks 3in-2.5in. |
2-16.25in
BL (2xl),
10-6in BL (10xl),
12-6pdr QF (12xl),
7-3pdr QF (7xl),
5-14in, TT aw (1 bow, 4 broadside).
16.25in
was the largest calibre gun mounted in British ship
except for WW1 18in. |
HMS Benbow
|
HMS VICTORIA
and her sinking - rammed and sunk by HMS
Camperdown 22 June 1893
|
VICTORIA-class
turret
ships, also Sans
Pareil (2)
1885/87/90 (5 yrs), 10,470t, 340ft pp x 70ft
More protected than Admiral-types,
an improved Hero, reverted to
turrets.
|
8
boilers,
Humphreys 3 cyl TE
(Triple Expansion) engines,
2 shaft,
8000ihp
= 16kts natural draught, 14,244ihp = 17.5kts forced
draught
First
British battleships with triple expansion engines.
Reciprocating engines continued to be used until the
building of steam-turbined HMS Dreadnought
Boiler
pressure increased to 135psi
|
belt
18in,
bulkheads 16in,
turret 17in,
redoubt 18in,
battery screens 6in-3in,
conning tower 14in-2in,
decks 3in. |
2-16.25in
BL (2xl),
1-10in BL,
12-6in BL (12xl),
12-6pdr QF (12xl,
9-3pdr QF (9xl),
4-14in TT (2 sub on beam, 1 bow, 1 stem aw),
2-14in TLC, |
HMS Victoria
|
TRAFALGAR-class
turret ships, also Nile
(2)
1886/87/90 (4 yrs), 12,590t, 345ft pp x 73ft
Better protected than Victoria and
the Admiral-types, modelled on Dreadnought,
launched 1875 |
6
cyl boilers
Humphreys 3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
7500ihp = 15kts natural draught,
12,000ihp = 16.75kts forced draught |
belt
20in-14in,
bulkheads 16in-14in,
citadel 18in-16in, turrets 18in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 3in. |
4-13.5in
BL (2x2),
6-4.7in QF (6xl),
8-6pdr QF,
9-3pdr QF,
4-14inTT, (2 sub, 1 bow and 1 stern aw). |
HMS Trafalgar (Cyber-Heritage)
|
Class
5 - BATTLESHIP DEVELOPMENT up to HMS DREADNOUGHT,
MAINLY 1st-CLASS, BUT SOME SMALLER 2nd-CLASS
|
HOOD,
turret battleship
1889/91/93 (4 yrs), 14,150t, 380ft pp x 75ft
The 8th Royal Sovereign-class
battleship of the Naval Defence Act
(following), but built as a turret ship |
8
cyl boilers,
Humphreys & Tennant 3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
9000ihp = 15.5kts natural draught, 11,000ihp = 16.5kts
forced draught. |
belt
18in-14in,
upper belt 4in,
bulkheads 16in-14in,
turrets 17in-1lin,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 3in-2.5in. |
4-13.5in
BL (2x2), in turrets
10-6in QF (10xl),
10-6pdr QF (10xl),
12-3pdr (12xl),
5-18in TT, (2 sub, 4 aw). |
HMS Hood (Maritime Quest)
|
ROYAL
SOVEREIGN-class
barbette battleships, also Empress
of India, Ramillies, Repulse, Resolution, Revenge, Royal
Oak (7)
1889/91/92 (3 yrs), 14,150t, 380ft pp x 75ft
First class battleships later known as pre-dreadnoughts,
start of 15 year design stability, improved version of Admiral-type
barbette ships, 7 ships of Naval Defence Act
|
8 cyl boilers,
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
9000ihp = 15.5kts natural draught, 11,000ihp = 16.5kts
forced draught. |
belt 18in-14in,
upper belt 4in-3in,
bulkheads 16in-14in,
barbettes 17in-11in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 3in-2.5in.
First
use of Harvey nickel-steel armour, 3in and 4in.
6in guns fitted with 5in Krupp compound armour by 1904. |
4-13.5in
BL (2x2), in barbettes
10-6in QF (10xl),
16-6pdr QF (16xl),
12-3pdr QF (12xl),
7-18in TT (5 aw, 2 sub). |
HMS Revenge (Cyber-Heritage)
|
CENTURION-class,
also Barfleur
1890/92/94 (4 yrs), 10,500t, 360ft pp x 70ft
Second class battleships, smaller Royal
Sovereigns for China and Pacific Stations
|
8
cyl boilers,
Greenock Foundry 3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
9000ihp = 17kts natural draught, 13,000ihp= 18.5kts forced
draught. |
main
belt 12in-9in,
upper belt 4in*,
bulkheads 8in,
barbettes 9in-5in,
gun houses 6in*,
casemates 6in*,
conning tower 12in,
decks 2.5in-2in.
*Harvey
nickel steel armour; rest compound.
|
4-10in BL (2x2), mounted in "gun houses"
10-4.7in QF (10xl),
8-6pdr QF (8xl),
12-3pdr QF (12xl),
7-18in TT, (2 sub, 5 aw).
2nd
class battleships with 10in guns. |
HMS Barfleur (Cyber-Heritage)
|
RENOWN
1893/95/97 (4 yrs), 12,350t, 380ft pp x 72ft
Second class battleship, enlarged Centurion
|
8
cyl boilers,
Maudslay 3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
10,000ihp = 17.5kts natural draught, 12,000ihp = 18kts
forced draught. |
belt
8in-6in,
bulkheads 10in-6in,
upper belt 6in,
barbettes 10in,
gun houses 6in,
casemates 6in-4in,
conning tower 9in,
decks 3in-2in.
All
Harvey nickel steel armour. |
4-10in
BL (2x2), mounted in "gun houses"
10-6in QF (10xl),
12-12pdr QF (12xl),
12-3pdr QF (12xl),
5-18in TT, (4 sub, 1 aw).
2nd
class battleships with 10in guns. |
HMS Renown
|
MAJESTIC-class,
also Caesar, Hannibal,
Illustrious, Jupiter, Magnificent, Mars, Prince George,
Victorious (9)
1894/95/95 (2 yrs), 14,560t, 390ft pp x 75ft
First class battleships, Royal
Sovereign-types with Renown
improvements, largest class of battleships built - nine in
total
|
8 cyl boilers,
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
10000ihp = 16kts natural draught, 12000ihp = 17kts forced
draught. |
Harvey
nickel steel armour,
belt 9in,
bulkheads 14in-12in,
barbettes 14in,
gunhouses 10in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 4in-2.5in, |
4-12in
BL (2x2), in turrets
12-6in QF (12xl),
16-12pdr QF (16xl),
12-2pdr QF (12xl),
5-18in TT, (4 sub, 1 aw).
New
Mk VIII 12in wire-wound gun mounted in place of Royal
Sovereign-type 13.5in.
In
later years fitted with electric hoists for 6in
ammunition supply. |
HMS Majestic (Pat Gariepy)
|
CANOPUS,
also Albion, Glory,
Goliath, Ocean, Vengeance (6)
1897/97/99 (2 yrs), 13,150t, 390ft pp x 74ft
First class battleships, smaller and faster versions of Majestics
|
20
Belleville boilers
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
13,500ihp = 18kts.
First British battleships with water-tube boilers,
and 300psi compared with 155psi in earlier
cylindrical boilers. |
belt
6in,
bulkheads 10in-6in,
barbettes 12in,
gun houses 8in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 2in-1in.
Krupp
armour for 6in belt equivalent to 8in Harvey steel; also
for Vengeance gun houses. |
4-12in
BL (2x2), in turrets
12-6in QF (12xl),
10-12pdr QF (10xl),
6-3pdr (6xl),
4-18in TT sub. |
HMS Albion in 1911 (Maritime Quest)
|
FORMIDABLE-class,
also Irresistible,
Implacable (3)
1898/98/01 (3 yrs), 14,500t, 400ft pp x 75ft
First class battleships, improved Majestics/enlarged
Canopus
|
20
Belleville boilers,
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft (inward-turning
screws),
15,000ihp = 18kts. |
belt
9in,
bulkheads 12in-9in,
barbettes 12in,
gun houses 10in-8in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 3in-1in.
Krupp
armour |
4-12in
BL (2x2), in turrets
12-6in QF (12xl),
16-12pdr QF (16xl),
6-3pdr QF (6xl),
4-18in TT sub. |
HMS Formidable (Maritime Quest)
|
LONDON-class,
also Bulwark, Prince of
Wales, Queen,
Venerable (5)
1898/99/02 (4 yrs), 14,500t, 400ft pp x 75ft
First class battleships, repeat Formidables
|
20
Belleville boilers (Queen
had Babcock and Wilcox boilers),
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
15,000ihp = 18kts. |
belt
9in,
bulkheads 12in-9in, barbettes 12in,
gun houses 10in-8in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 14in,
decks 2.5in-1in. |
4-12in
BL (2x2), in turrets
12-6in QF (12xl),
16-12pdr QF (16xl),
6-3pdr QF (6xl),
4-18in TT sub. |
HMS Venerable
|
DUNCAN-class,
also Albemarle,
Cornwallis, Exmouth, Montagu, Russell (6)
1899/01/03, 13,270t, 405ft pp x 75ft
First class battleships, smaller Formidables |
24
Belleville boilers,
4 cyl TE
engines,
2 shaft,
18,000ihp = 19kts.
First
four cylinder triple expansion engines |
belt
7in,
bulkheads 11in-7in,
barbettes 11in-4in,
gun houses 10in-8in,
casemates 6in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 2in-1in. |
4-12in
BL (2x2), in turrets
12-6in QF (12xl),
10-12pdr QF (10xl),
6-3pdr QF (6xl),
4-18in TT sub. |
HMS Albemarle (Maritime Quest)
|
KING
EDWARD VII-class, also Africa,
Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan,
New Zealand (later
Zealandia) (8)
1902/03/05, 15,585t, 425ft pp x 78ft
First class battleships, new predreadnought design, first
battleships with balanced rudders since 1870's, but
difficult to keep on steady course - hence "the wobbly
eight".
|
10
Babcock and Wilcox (B&W) and 6 cyl boilers,
4 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
18,000ihp = 18.5kts
(other ships fitted with
16 B&W, 12 Niclausse and 3 cyl, and 12 B&W and 3
cyl boilers for comparison - the
last phase of the "battle of the boilers") |
belt
9in-8in,
bulkheads, 12in-8in,
barbettes 12in,
gun houses 12in-8in,
9.2in gun houses 9in-5in,
6in battery 7in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 2.5in-1in. |
4-12in BL (2x2), in turrets
4-9.2in BL (4xl),
10-6in QF (10xl),
14-12pdr QF (14xl),
14-3pdr QF (14xl),
4-18in TT sub.
Fitted
with intermediate 9.2in armament, instead of secondary
6in or 4.7in guns. |
HMS King Edward VII (Maritime Quest)
|
SWIFTSURE-class,
also Triumph
(2)
1902/03/04, 11,800t load, 436ft pp x 71ft
Second class battleships, ex-Chilean
|
12
large-tube Yarrow boilers,
3 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
12,500ihp = 19kts. |
belt
7in-3in,
bulkheads 6in-2in,
barbettes 10in-2in,
gun houses 10in-8in,
battery 7in,
casemates 7in,
conning tower 11in,
decks 3in-1lin. |
4-10in
BL (4xl), in turrets
14-7.5in BL (14xl),
14-14pdr QF (14xl),
2-12pdr QF (2xl),
4-6pdr QF (4xl). |
HMS Swiftsure
|
LORD
NELSON-class, also Agamemnon
(2)
1905/06/08, 16,090t, 410ft pp x 79ft
First class battleships |
15 Babcock boilers,
4 cyl TE engines,
2 shaft,
16,750ihp = 18kts. |
belt
12in-8in,
bulkheads 8in,
citadel 8in,
barbettes 12in,
gun houses 12in, 9.2in gun houses 8in-7in,
conning tower 12in,
decks 4in-1in. |
4-12in
BL
(new)
45 cal (2x2), in turrets
10-9.2in BL (4x2, 2x1),
24-12pdr QF (24x1),
2-3pdr QF (2xl),
5-18in TT sub. |
HMS Agamemnon (Maritime Quest)
|
the first dreadnought
battleship, all big-gun and powered by steam
turbine engines
Her launching (Maritime Quest) |
Completed, shown in 1906 (Maritime Quest)
|
Some of her crew (PJ) |
|
|