HMS Orion (1879)

HMS Orion was a British ironclad battleship built for the Royal Navy in the late 1870s. She was the lead ship of her class, which also included HMS Belleisle. The Orion-class ships were designed as relatively inexpensive, second-class battleships suitable for service in foreign stations, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Far East.

Orion displaced 6,800 tons and was armed with four 12.5-inch muzzle-loading rifles in two twin turrets placed en echelon to maximize end-on fire. She also carried smaller guns for defense against torpedo boats. Her armor scheme consisted of a complete waterline belt of compound armor, as well as armored barbettes protecting the turrets.

The Orion's career was relatively uneventful, primarily serving in the Mediterranean Fleet. She was considered a steady gun platform but was also criticized for being wet and slow. She underwent a refit in the late 1880s, receiving new breech-loading guns and improved torpedo defenses. By the late 1890s, Orion was considered obsolete. She was relegated to harbor service and eventually sold for scrap in 1913. The Orion represented a transitional period in naval design, reflecting the shift from muzzle-loading to breech-loading guns and the increasing importance of torpedoes.