- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
Capt. William H. Parker was commander of the CSS Beaufort, which accompanied the Virginia, during both its appearances at Hampton Roads, 8 & 9 March 1862. He had been a lieutenant on the USS Merrimac during a Pacific cruise in 1847-8, and thus had a special interest in the vessel as he witnessed her conversion into the ironclad CSS Virginia. He gives a very detailed description of the conversion, and of Virginia's iron defenses in his 1883, Recollections of a naval officer, 1841-1865.
One part of his description surprises me. Every illustration I've ever seen of the Virginia shows the fore and after deck fully exposed, with a freeboard of perhaps a foot or so. But, on pp. 248f, Parker relates:
"Now as this iron was put on, the whole structure sunk, and when she was ready for battle her ends, which extended about 50 feet forward and abaft the shield, were submerged to the depth of several inches and could not be seen. I have reason to recollect this, for I had occasion to go close alongside her several times in the Beaufort on the 8th of March, and I was always fearful of getting on top of her extremities. I could not see where she commenced or ended!"
I've never noticed this in any other description of this ship (admittedly I have not read many). If accurate, this would make her appearance extraordinary, indeed, and render all the illustrations inaccurate. Do any other sources corroborate this?
jno
One part of his description surprises me. Every illustration I've ever seen of the Virginia shows the fore and after deck fully exposed, with a freeboard of perhaps a foot or so. But, on pp. 248f, Parker relates:
"Now as this iron was put on, the whole structure sunk, and when she was ready for battle her ends, which extended about 50 feet forward and abaft the shield, were submerged to the depth of several inches and could not be seen. I have reason to recollect this, for I had occasion to go close alongside her several times in the Beaufort on the 8th of March, and I was always fearful of getting on top of her extremities. I could not see where she commenced or ended!"
I've never noticed this in any other description of this ship (admittedly I have not read many). If accurate, this would make her appearance extraordinary, indeed, and render all the illustrations inaccurate. Do any other sources corroborate this?
jno