New ironclad design, shortly after the American Civil War, primarily affected the (British) Royal Navy, resulting in heavier and more powerful guns as well as thicker armor. H.M.S. Inflexible, although the last battleship designed to carry sails, significantly changed naval warfare and remained the strongest ship afloat throughout the 1880s. She was armed with four 80 ton guns in two huge rotating turrets and was equipped with electric lighting. Later in the century ironclad battleships lost their sails but continued to develop the power and range of their guns as well as the thickness of their armor plate.
Build these warships in the shipyard to achieve command of the sea. Their larger guns provide a longer range than earlier warships and they are exceptionally difficult to sink.
