Warships continually had to find a balance between the conflicting requirements of propulsion, offensive armament (guns) and passive defence (armour). The introduction of steam powered warships from the 1850s, led to the requirement for vast quantities of coal for fuel. This in turn led to need for coaling stations around the World to supply coal. The introduction of the steam engine on warships was however a protracted history.
Sail to Steam
HMS Queen 1841
Hybrid, Steam & Sail 1870
HMS Thunderer 1872
1712
1783
1801
1807
1821
1832
1836
1838
1840
1845
1845
1860
1860
1861
1863
1869
1869
1870
1871
1875
1881
1903
1906
Thomas Necomen steam engine introduced.
The French Pyroscaphe, a steam powered vessels with side paddles. See 1845 below.
William Symington adapted James Watt’s steam engine for maritime use.
Clermont on the Hudson River, possibly first successful commercial steam boat.
Aaron Many first iron steamship.
HMS Phoenix, Chatham’s first steam-paddle warship.
Re-introduction of screw propellers rather than paddles.
SS Archimedes, a steamship with screw propellers.
The British have 2.3 million tons of merchant vessels only 87,000 tons (4%) are steamships.
HMS Terror & HMS Erebus, first Royal Navy steamships with screw propellers after refitting.
Rattler with screw propeller and Alecto side paddles in tug of war. Rattler won.
Warships start to be built with iron plate on wood e.g. Royal Oak.
La Gloire, iron clad warship launched by the French.
The ironclad HMS Warrior launched by the British.
HMS Achilles, first all iron warship at Chatham.
Suez Canal opens, more suited to steamships than sailing vessels.
HMS Monarch with two turrets each with two 12-inch guns. This was the first true seagoing turret warship.
The British have 5.7 million tons of merchant vessels with 1.1 million tons (20%) were now steamships.
The ironclad HMS Devastation launched. Powered solely by steam and main 12-inch guns in turrets.
HMS Alexandra launched, the last British battleship to carry her main armament below deck.
SS Aberdeen first steamship with triple-expansion engines.
Search for viable alternatives to steam. Vandal first marine vessels powered by diesel.
HMS Dreadnought launched. Main armament of ten 12-inch guns in five double turrets. Armour up to 11-inch.