It is unnecessary in a popular subject of this description to dwell upon, or even to state, the minor differences which exist between the different types of rigged iron-clads. There are, however, some points of interest in connection with their armor and armament to be mentioned. In the design of the first group (speaking chronologically) were commenced those changes in the disposition of the armor which continue down to the present time, the British Admiralty being so mixed and so virtually irresponsible a body that it is not obliged to have a mind of its own for any great length of time, even when many of the same men continue in office. The _Warrior_, as we saw, and the sister ship _Black Prince_, had a central armored battery only; the same is true of those reduced _Warriors_, the _Defence_ and the _Resistance_. But the next succeeding ships of the _Warrior’s_ size, the _Minotaur_ and _Agincourt_, were fully armored from end to end; and the somewhat smaller ship the _Achilles_ was furnished with a complete belt at the water-line. The _Hector_ and _Valiant_ (improved _Defences_) had complete armor above the water, but, oddly enough, had part of the water-line at each end left unarmored. A third ship of the _Minotaur_ class, the _Northumberland_, was modified by the present writer at the bow and stern on his entering the Admiralty, the armor above water being there reduced, and an armored bow breastwork constructed. Within this armored breastwork were placed two heavy guns firing right ahead. With this exception, all these early ships, nine in number, were without any other protected guns than those of the broadside.