NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Inconstant			Pembroke DYd	27.11.1866	12.11.1868	8.1869	hulk 1898

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	5782
Displacement full, t
Length, m	102.8 pp
Breadth, m	15.3
Draught, m	7.49
No of shafts	1 (hoisting screw)
Machinery	sails + 1 2-cyl HSE trunk, 11 boilers
Power, h. p.	7360
Max speed, kts	16.2
Fuel, t	coal 750
Endurance, nm(kts)	2780(10)
Armament	10 x 1 - 229/14 MLR Mk IV, 6 x 1 - 178/16 MLR Mk III
Complement	600

Project history

Designed by Sir Edward Reed. The Inconstant was the direct result of the American Wampanoag class, and when completed proved to be the fastest warship afloat. Iron hull, from keel to bulwarks, was clad with a double layer of 76mm timber. The first layer was applied vertically and the second layer horizontally. Ship was coppered, without double bottom or wing compartments, but had lateral watertight bulkheads extended up to the upper deck. Inconstant was fitted with a balanced rudder, controlled by two treble-hand wheels-one on deck, the other below.     The 229mm guns in Inconstant formed the main deck broadside battery; the 178mm guns were mounted on the upper deck and two of these were chase guns firing through embrasures forward. The engine was of greater size and power than any existing cruiser. It was a retrogressive step to retain simple expansion engine but nevertheless she provided a speed which was unprecedented for the times - she logged 15.5kts for 24 hours. Ship had telescopic funnels and hoisting screw. She was ship rigged, with fixed bowsprit, with 2500m² sail area, making 13.5kts under sail.

Modernizations

1872: + 6 x 1 - 100/21 20pdr BL, 2 x 1 QF guns, 11 x 1 MGs, 4 x 1 light guns

1877: + 2 x 1 - 356 TC

Naval service

No significant events.