chance against a total breakdown. To make up for the absence of sail power, the supply of fuel must be increased. This led to the design of the 'Devastation,' and as she was the first mastless seagoing turret ship we built, her construction excited considerable interest. The leading features were a low freeboard hull, carrying two turrets, on the middle line of the ship. To protect the base of the turrets an armoured breastwork or citadel was built round them. This did not extend right across
THE 'DEVASTATION.'
the vessel, so that there was a space between the walls of the breastwork and the ship's side. At the instance of a committee appointed after the loss of the 'Captain' to consider designs, this space was enclosed by carrying up the side of the vessel to the height of the breastwork and extending the deck over the latter to meet the raised portion. This addition to the side, though not armoured, increased the freeboard of the ship in the central portion to over 10 ft., while right aft it was only 4 ft., and forward there was a low forecastle 8 ft. above the water. The armour on the side extended right round, and was 12 in. thick amidships, tapering to 10 in. at bow and stern. On the turrets it was 14 in. It was at first intended to mount in these
