kevin klein
Private
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2019
Was there sheet plate armor used or just strip armor?
2" plate was also rolled at the Shelby Iron Works in Shelby, Alabama and this plate was used on the CSS Tennessee along with other Mobile area vessels such as the CSS Nashville, CSS Huntsville and the CSS Tuscaloosa.In addition to Tredegar, there was Scofield & Markham at Atlanta. Two major sources of rolled iron plate, almost all 2" thick although CSS Mississippi's plate was 1.25" plate in three layers. I have not solved the reason why her iron wasn't 2". Eason Bros at Charleston had the capability but so far as is known didn't produce armour There was also a foundry at Mobile rifling guns, and this may have also produced plate as CSS Montgomerey carried 4.5 " iron - an odd thicknessLate in the war Charlotte Naval Ironworks was experimenting with 5" plate.
In the case of the Montgomery 3 x 1.5 inch plate? I know that pre-war one of the RR at New Orleans was using 1.5 inch strap iron. In Lt. Carter's Letter Book from Shreveport there is a reference to a mill being completed in NE Texas with a comment that it was 300 miles from Galveston and any production would have to be hauled by wagons drawn by livestock.In addition to Tredegar, there was Scofield & Markham at Atlanta. Two major sources of rolled iron plate, almost all 2" thick although CSS Mississippi's plate was 1.25" plate in three layers. I have not solved the reason why her iron wasn't 2". Eason Bros at Charleston had the capability but so far as is known didn't produce armour There was also a foundry at Mobile rifling guns, and this may have also produced plate as CSS Montgomerey carried 4.5 " iron - an odd thicknessLate in the war Charlotte Naval Ironworks was experimenting with 5" plate.
A section of the CSS Georgia's armor:View attachment 304271
It depended on circumstances and availability. As I recall, the Confederacy was able to roll up to 2 inch thick armor at Tredegar in Richmond; two layers of this were laid at right angles to each other to form the 4 inch overall armor plate on the first CSS Virginia. (This was generally not as strong as a single 4 inch plate.) In other cases, strap iron or actual sections of rails were used (above, in CSS Georgia). The United States was generally better off in its ability to roll heavy iron plate, but there was never enough to go around.
There was iron and coal production in NE Texas (north of Tyler), but the quality was mediocer and quantity was small. I don't recall hearing of a mill in the area.In the case of the Montgomery 3 x 1.5 inch plate? I know that pre-war one of the RR at New Orleans was using 1.5 inch strap iron. In Lt. Carter's Letter Book from Shreveport there is a reference to a mill being completed in NE Texas with a comment that it was 300 miles from Galveston and any production would have to be hauled by wagons drawn by livestock.
Hi Dave. Give me a day or two and I'll dig out the quote for you.There was iron and coal production in NE Texas (north of Tyler), but the quality was mediocer and quantity was small. I don't recall hearing of a mill in the area.
Good point, although why that should be when 2 x 2" and even 3 x2" had become standard, unless a stache of strap iron was available for the taking at the right time.In the case of the Montgomery 3 x 1.5 inch plate? I know that pre-war one of the RR at New Orleans was using 1.5 inch strap iron. In Lt. Carter's Letter Book from Shreveport there is a reference to a mill being completed in NE Texas with a comment that it was 300 miles from Galveston and any production would have to be hauled by wagons drawn by livestock.
Thank you I forgot Shelby and of course Etowah turned out plate which was rolled / re rolled at Atlanta.2" plate was also rolled at the Shelby Iron Works in Shelby, Alabama and this plate was used on the CSS Tennessee along with other Mobile area vessels such as the CSS Nashville, CSS Huntsville and the CSS Tuscaloosa.
I think this is a good point. Think how many boats had their woodwork and machinery essentially complete but just sat there waiting for iron. If you've got it, use it - regardless of type. With the loss of Atlanta did they think the pixies were going to deliver plate? Its a little Neaderthal, but reversed T-rail would have worked for me. One clinker may not have been the iron. They may have come up short on fasteners. Spiked rail is not a good idea. You need to bolt it. What I don't understand is why the incomplete hulls and Montgomery were not moved upriver from Mobile. The only answer I can come up with for the Montgomery is that they lacked crewmen. But they had a care-taking crew for the Baltic after they stripped her iron and Army gun crews had performed adequately in the Trans-Mississippi. Why didn't they use her for supporting fire for the southern forts to the east of Mobile?Good point, although why that should be when 2 x 2" and even 3 x2" had become standard, unless a stache of strap iron was available for the taking at the right time.
CSS Powell was apparently neither armed not armoured, although sent to Mobile for the purpose. CSS Montgomery was reported by the Union to be both armed and armoured. I think you are right ,they couldn't man the latter.I think this is a good point. Think how many boats had their woodwork and machinery essentially complete but just sat there waiting for iron. If you've got it, use it - regardless of type. With the loss of Atlanta did they think the pixies were going to deliver plate? Its a little Neaderthal, but reversed T-rail would have worked for me. One clinker may not have been the iron. They may have come up short on fasteners. Spiked rail is not a good idea. You need to bolt it. What I don't understand is why the incomplete hulls and Montgomery were not moved upriver from Mobile. The only answer I can come up with for the Montgomery is that they lacked crewmen. But they had a care-taking crew for the Baltic after they stripped her iron and Army gun crews had performed adequately in the Trans-Mississippi. Why didn't they use her for supporting fire for the southern forts to the east of Mobile?
As to why she wasn't given a temporary crew and sent to support the forts alongside CSS Nashville, I'm going to hazard a wild guess - I wonder if they had no ammunition (I'm guessing her guns were rifled and banded smoothbores) or even maybe no fuel?CSS Powell was apparently neither armed not armoured, although sent to Mobile for the purpose. CSS Montgomery was reported by the Union to be both armed and armoured. I think you are right ,they couldn't man the latter.
Perhaps because of the shortage of iron at Charleston. Lee's ram, started in 1862, never got iron before it's single use in Aug 1863. Lee was literally scouring the countryside farms for pig iron or anything else he could lay his hands on all through 1863. In that time, it seems just about all iron went to the ironclads made there. Just a thought.Eason Bros at Charleston had the capability but so far as is known didn't produce armour
When a ship is not used, my first thought is crew and second is leaking hull.As to why she wasn't given a temporary crew and sent to support the forts alongside CSS Nashville, I'm going to hazard a wild guess - I wonder if they had no ammunition (I'm guessing her guns were rifled and banded smoothbores) or even maybe no fuel?
Hi Littlefield - do you know how heavily they intended to iron the Torch?Perhaps because of the shortage of iron at Charleston. Lee's ram, started in 1862, never got iron before it's single use in Aug 1863. Lee was literally scouring the countryside farms for pig iron or anything else he could lay his hands on all through 1863. In that time, it seems just about all iron went to the ironclads made there. Just a thought.
Hi Littlefield - do you know how heavily they intended to iron the Torch?