The Swiftsure class battleships of the late Victorian era were broadside ironclads designed and built specifically for service as Flagships on the Pacific station. In appearance the two ships of the class, HMS Swiftsure and HMS Triumph, were very similar to HMS Audacious; under water their hulls were very similar to that of HMS Defence. The intention was to make the ships good performers under sail, while at the same time being stable ships and good gun platforms. The two ships spent some time in reserve, but in their active careers they took turns as flagship of the Pacific station.