24. Russia’s Round Ship
In 1874, the Russian Navy commissioned one of history’s weirdest and most controversial ships, the Novgorod monitor. Displacing 2500 tons, it had six steam engines that drove six propeller screws, but what stood out the most was the ship’s round hull. It gained a reputation as one of history’s worst-ever designed warships, and was compared to a floating soup dish for its clumsiness.
On the plus side, the Novgorod was largely immune to ramming – a common naval warfare tactic back then. It featured a nine-inch armored belt, its round shape deflected strikes, and its vital components were well inside the hull. It also sported a pair of eleven-inch guns, which were quite powerful for the era. Its shape and flat bottom also gave it a draft of only twelve feet, allowing it to operate close to the coastline in shallow waters. However, those advantages were outweighed by serious disadvantages.
