NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Hotspur as completed

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Hotspur		144	Napier, Govan	2.10.1868	19.3.1870	17.11.1871	sold to BU 8.1904

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	4331
Displacement full, t
Length, m	71.6 pp
Breadth, m	15.2
Draught, m	6.05
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 2-cyl HSE, boilers
Power, h. p.	3497
Max speed, kts	12.7
Fuel, t	coal 300
Endurance, nm(kts)	920(10)
Armour, mm	iron; belt: 279 - 203, breastwork: 203, gun house: 254 - 216, decks: 70 - 25, CT: 254 - 152
Armament	1 x 1 - 305/12 MLR Mk II, 2 x 1 - 160/16 64pdr 71cwt MLR
Complement	209

Graphics

Project history

Ironclad ram constructed to match similar French ships. The general layout was similar to Glatton but the freeboard was increased to the height of the breastwork by addition of unarmoured hull structure above the belt. In place of the turret she carried a fixed armoured gun house with four gun ports, it being considered that the turret would not stand up to the shock of ramming. The 305mm gun was mounted on both traversing arcs and a turnable, allowing for positioning and training at each port. 160mm guns were mounted aft behind bulwarks and were unprotected. The principal weapon was the ram, projecting 3m from the bow and supported by a downward extension of the side armour.

She was a good gun platform, very steady and manoeuvrable, but was unable to make headway in heavy seas. Virtually useless in her intended role because of her lack of fire power on forward bearings and lack of speed and seakeeping qualities, she was relegated to the role of coast defence ship.

Ship protection

Waterline belt was 279mm amidships and 203mm at the ends, with a 70 - 51mm deck, the breastwork being of uniform 203mm with a 38mm deck. The gun house had 254mm walls with an 216mm back, the CT being mounted on its roof.

Modernizations

(1881-1883, Lairds): the gun house was replaced by turret with 216mm compound armour (70mm of steel on 146mm iron), breastwork was removed and replaced by a full-width box citadel with 203mm sides and bulkheads, steam steering gear was added, superstructure was rebuilt, ship was re-boilered; - 1 x 1 - 305/12, 2 x 1 - 160/16; + 1 x 2 - 305/12 MLR Mk II, 2 x 1 - 152/26 BL Mk II, 2 - 356 TT, 1 torpedo boat

Naval service

No significant events.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.