Iron hull construction

The move from wooden to iron hulls represented a major advance in naval shipbuilding. Iron ships were stronger, more durable, and capable of carrying heavier guns and armour. They also allowed for larger hull designs, supporting more powerful engines and greater endurance at sea.

Iron construction required new industrial techniques and facilities. Shipyards had to adopt metalworking processes, and naval architects developed new approaches to hull design. This transition was part of a broader industrial revolution in naval warfare, linking shipbuilding to advances in engineering and manufacturing.