Warships, Innovation and Material Culture in the Imperial Age.
A Focus on HMS Warrior (1860)
Resumen
This study investigates HMS Warrior (1860), the Royal Navy’s first ocean-going iron-hulled warship, positioning it as a pivotal zone of future naval innovation despite being the most advanced warship at its launch. Built in response to the French ironclad Gloire, Warrior’s design emphasised the British admiralty’s vision for increased mobility and manoeuvrability over traditional broadside engagements, heralding a new era in naval strategy and architecture. The ship's design and service influenced the development of future warships, including monitor-style gun turrets and dreadnoughts. Utilising the National Museum of the Royal Navy's archives, this study explores Warrior's role as a “floating laboratory”, facilitating technological experimentation during its commission. The study also examines Warrior's socio-political implications, considering her as both a defensive response to French naval expansion and a symbol of British naval dominance. Warrior’s construction was driven by geopolitical rivalry and financial, political, and societal factors, reflecting the broader context of European naval arms races and imperial ambitions. This research aligns with the material culture and history of technology fields, emphasising the intersection of technological innovation and cultural expression. The study extends to Warrior’s current role as a museum piece, critiquing its presentation and public engagement through the lens of Eugene Ferguson’s work on technological artefacts in museums. Ultimately, this study aims to recontextualise Warrior as a historical object and an active agent in naval innovation and strategy. Integrating interdisciplinary approaches highlights the dynamic interplay between technology, society, and culture, and reaffirms Warrior's lasting impact on naval history and material culture.
Citas
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