3-021-203 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Launch of the Affondatore, iron-clad cupola frigate, built for the King of Italy at Millwall, [London], 1865. '...a large party of gentlemen, comprising many of the Italians of respectability living in London, were invited by the directors of the Millwall Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company to witness the launch...As her name (The Sinker) implies, she is intended to be used as a ram...The Italian Government have been anxious that she should be protected by armour of the very best quality of iron and make; and in order that they might be satisfied on that point, two experiments were made...The first of these was, by the permission of the War Office, conducted at Shoeburyness, and was particularly notable from the fact of this plate resisting steel shot at a distance of 200 yards, which, it is stated, is the first occasion on which a plate of 5 in. thick has been victorious over steel. The second experiment was conducted at Genoa by the Italian Government. The plate was subjected to twelve rounds from a 68-pounder at the extraordinary small range of 13 yards, after which merciless attack it did not show a single crack or fissure, and was considered by all competent judges to be the best result ever obtained'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.