turrets and a low freeboard, intended only for coastal defence.

While Coles designed the turrets, the ship was the responsibility of Chief Constructor Isaac Watts. Another ship using Coles' turret designs, , was completed in August 1864. Its existing broadside guns were replaced with four turrets on a flat deck and the ship was fitted with 5.5 in of armour in a belt around the waterline.

Early ships like the Royal Sovereign had little sea-keeping qualities being limited

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