According to former French shipbuilder Ferrand was armour the potential winner in battles according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1905-1906 no. 8

An item referred to the Army&Navy Journal reporting that the former shipbuilder Ferrand stated that the navy which possessed the best protected ships would be the victor. Good protection was the main condition to survive on the battlefield and he was prepared to offer speed for costs reducing instead decreasing the armament of armour.