Abstract
LORD ROSSE has made an interesting contribution to the history of ironclads by placing at the service of the Institution of Naval Architects copies of letters written by his father to various distinguished men in the years 1854–5. From these letters it appears that the late Lord Rosse not merely appreciated the importance of armour protection against horizontal shell fire, but satisfied himself that it was possible by means of suitable proportions to secure ample stability in ironclad ships. Naval officers were then disposed to think that the “top-weight” inevitable with heavy loads of armour would make vessels unstable. Lord Rosse proposed the construction of ironclad floating batteries of moderate size; they were intended to fight in smooth water, and consequently were to carry their guns at a small height above water. The exposed sides were to be armoured with 5 inches of iron, and the upper decks to be covered with 2-inch plating.
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A Contribution to the History of Ironclads . Nature 77, 356–357 (1908). https://doi.org/10.1038/077356b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/077356b0