Round warships: did the British ever experiment with these?

[Liz]

I've heard that the Russian navy built some round warships from 1871 for use as a platform for artillery in shallow waters. They were used briefly in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, but designated them storeships in 1903 and scrapped nine years later. For plans and photos http://www.futilitycloset.com/2012/07/20/round-numbers-4/.

Does anybody know if the British ever considered such a concept, built prototypes or went further? If so, I'd be intrigued to hear the details.

[jf42]

"but without keels they were slow and difficult to maneuver, and in cross currents they tended to spin."

Perhaps the Admiralty worked that out without leaving the drawing board!

Interesting to see the photos. An intriguing footnote to C19th history.

[Liz]

Perhaps the Admiralty worked that out without leaving the drawing board!

Perhaps. But if common sense was common practice then who would have invested in things like the south sea bubble, tulipomania and many other grand schemes?

Nevertheless one feels for the poor sailors condemned to serve on these things... They must have been quite a trial when the tide and the wind had their way!!!

[jf42]

But if common sense was common practice then who would have invested in things like the south sea bubble, tulipomania and many other grand schemes?

And no topics for students of military history to discuss.