Starting in 1860, the Royal Sardinian Navy began ordering ironclad warships for what would shortly become the Regia Marina (Royal Navy) following the unification of Italy the next year. The first of these vessels, the two vessels of the Formidabile class, were small broadside ironclads ordered from France and built to French designs. These were followed by the three Principe di Carignano-class ironclad, all of which were built in Italy; these were originally unarmored ships that were converted while under construction. Further orders abroad followed, with the two American-built Re d'Italia-class ironclads, the four French-built Regina Maria Pia-class ironclads, and the British-built ram Affondatore all being laid down between 1861 and 1863. Four more vessels in the first generation of