First Ironclads: HMS Warrior Launched

December 29, 1860 - HMS Warrior (left), the first iron-hulled, armored warship built for the Royal Navy, is launched in London. A revolutionary advance in warship design, HMS Warrior was built in response to the world's first ironclad, the French La Gloire. Constructed at Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding, Warrior was the first warship to combine an iron hull with armor, a steam engine, propeller drive, and large caliber rifled guns. Mounting forty guns including ten 110-pdr. breech-loading Armstrong guns, HMS Warrior entered service in 1861. Instantly creating a stir, a French admiral commented, “Should this ship meet our fleet it will be as a black snake among rabbits!" Though highly advanced when built, Warrior was quickly eclipsed by the rapid march of technology and was withdrawn from front line service in 1875. After several years in a reserve and a support role, HMS Warrior was restored as a museum ship.

Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center