Colossus-class ironclad
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2013) ) |
 HMS Colossus, lead ship of the class, painted in 1891, Malta
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Portsmouth Dockyard, Pembroke Dockyard |
| Operators |  Royal Navy |
| Preceded by | Ajax class |
| Succeeded by | Admiral class |
| In commission | 1882–1910 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Retired | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 9,420 tons |
| Length | 325 ft (99 m) pp |
| Beam | 68 ft (21 m) |
| Draught | 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m) |
| Propulsion | 2-shaft Maudslay engine, 7,488 ihp (5,584 kW) |
| Speed | 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h) |
| Armament |
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| Armour |
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The Colossus-class battleships were British
Design
They were in all essential points improved versions of the Ajax class, with slightly greater displacement, protection and speed, with better handling characteristics, and most significantly, with breech-loading artillery replacing the obsolescent muzzle loaders. They also used steel rather than iron for most of the hull structure, and utilised the innovative compound armour for the belt and turrets.
The class was originally designed to carry the then-standard muzzle-loading artillery, while European navies had already for several years been equipped with breech-loading guns. At this time, for historical reasons, the
Both ships did well on sea-trials, exceeding their design speed. They threw up what is described as a "remarkable bow wave, which rose like a solid wall for thirteen feet, the like of which has never been observed." They had a quick roll, and because of the low freeboard and the long chases of the guns, the gun muzzles dipped into the sea at a roll of 13° when trained on the beam. They were fitted with large bilge keels and with anti-rolling tanks.
They were both reported to be slow to respond to the helm, with large turning circles.
Ships
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colossus | Portsmouth Dockyard
|
6 June 1879 | 21 March 1882 | 1886 |
| Edinburgh | Pembroke Dockyard | 20 March 1879 | 18 March 1882 | 8 July 1887 |
References
- Parkes, Oscar (1990). British Battleships. Cooper. OCLC 21677208.
- Chesneau, Roger; Eugène M. Koleśnik; N. J. M. Campbell (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press. OCLC 5834247.
External links
