When Warrior was launched she was met with mixed reaction, some commentators crediting the first Iron-hulled armoured warship with the ability to defeat the enemy fleet single handedly, whilst others were less complimentary.

The truth will never be known, but by comparing Warrior to her probable opponents, conclusions may be drawn.

In any naval action the role of a ship is to strike the enemy with more devastating blows than those received over a given period. The hitting capability depended upon: the number, calibre and layout of the guns; the stability of the ship as a gun platform, and the height of the gunport sill above the waterline; the effective range of engagement and rate of fire; the weight, terminal velocity and nature of projectiles; and the efficiency of the gun crews in loading, and firing the weapon accurately.

Warrior in Battle

Warrior at Sea- June 1987

Equally important was tactical mobility of the ship; at greater ranges speed was important, as the range decreases the ability to turn quickly and tightly becomes paramount.

Whilst the power of the guns was utilised in both offensive and defensive situations, the protection provided by armour and watertight sub-division in an iron hull was vastly superior to that afforded by a wooden hull.

With all the above taken into consideration, more often than not it was the morale of the crew that was the deciding factor in any engagemet