sentences:  The sloped section of the deck connected it to the lower edge of the main armored belt, which was in the central citadel where it protected the ships' ammunition magazines and the propulsion system.Connecting the sloped deck to the lower edge of the belt provided additional protection to the ships' interiors for shells that penetrated the belt.Forward and aft of the main battery turrets, the belt was reduced to ; the bow and stern were not protected with any armor.