This weapon fired a shell weighing 500 pounds with a muzzle velocity of 2,040 ft/s (620 m/s), and could in theory penetrate an iron plate of thickness of 20.4 inches (520 mm) at a range of 1,000 yards (910 m).

The Elswick yards also experienced delays in producing the gun of 16.25 inches (413 mm) calibre, so in fact the times between laying down and completion of the Admirals and of Sans Pareil were closely comparable.

[10] Longitudinal bulkheads in forward compartments, which had contributed to the loss of Victoria by confining flooding to the damaged side, and increasing the capsizing effect, were removed during this refit.

[11] On 7 August 1889, Sans Pareil was returning from manoeuvres as part of the Channel Fleet and was at the head of a division of ships when she collided with the Schooner East Lothian, which was on a voyage from Nantes to Cardiff and was under tow from a tug.

[12][13] Sans Pareil's officer at the watch at the time of the collision was found guilty of negligently performing his duties at a court martial, and was severely reprimanded and dismissed from the ship.

[17] She took part in the fleet review held at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII,[18] and the following month went to Chatham Dockyard for a short refit,[19] resuming duty after a couple of weeks.

She was sold for scrap in 1907 as part of the fleet modernisation programme instigated by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Fisher, and dismantled at the dock on the River Ribble, Preston, Lancashire.