ABSTRACT
The Mid-Victorian Royal Navy never invested in a proper ironclad coastal assault flotilla was because while monitors were the best possible warship designs versus other warships in coastal waters. It also has such heavily armed and armoured turret vessels held important disadvantages as well especially when braving well-defended harbours. No harbour can be entered which is protected by it; nor would any amount of vigilance save vessels from destruction on an enemies coast defended by it. It was extremely difficult for them to overpower fortifications on their own, where a rapid suppressing fire was more crucial in silencing enemy gun positions than individual weight of shell. In combination with improved fortifications mounting the latest, long-range guns and sea coast mortars, minefields, and a host of torpedo craft, such monitors would offer a state of perfect protection for tempting targets like New York. A dreadful naval repulse could end a war as quickly and decisively as an equally devastating coastal assault.
