Barataria

[Mad Hungarian]

Seeking more information on CSS/USS Barataria... Maybe even some better images than the single, Harpers lithograph I've discovered with a Web search.

She is described as an "ironclad gunboat," but Mark's site and other references say she was only semi-protected, along the lines of a tinclad or perhaps a city class. She was captured at New Orleans and used by the Army until 1863,when she was transferred to the Navy. In July of '63, she apparently hits a snag, and her crew, unable to free her, burns her to prevent her falling back into Rebel hands. During her service, she supposedly mounted two twenty four pound howitzers.

Edit: Oops! Too much information on the brain lately. She was scuttled in April of 63, not July.

 

[CMWinkler]

Here's where I found the lithograph of which he was speaking: http://www.usskidd.com/ships-barataria.html

 

[rhettbutler1865]

I love to see the varying designs of the ironclads...so interesting.I'm waiting for my "Monitor" to compliment the "CSS Virginia"--handmade, nice-looking wooden models. (God knows, I don't have the patience to build one!) and I've never seen this one--Thanks!

 

[Mad Hungarian]

Thank you for the link, Cm. Was on Mobile and was unable to find it.
-Alex

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

From that engraving, I wonder if she had been a ferryboat. There would have been a fairly large deck to build the breastworks on. For comparison, here's a turn-of-the-century steam ferry on the Ohio River. Imagine tearing down the light railings and building up some timber walls to protect a few gun crews....

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[Mad Hungarian]

Not a bad thought, Mark.

 

[NeilL]

Here is some data, and a PDF of a model (I think the model is in the museum at Vicksburg); I have a set of plans drawn by David Meagher in 2012; I may be able to reduce and post a version:
Barataria (1857)

96' x 17.4' x 4.8' (96 feet long; between the stempost and rudderpost, so 120 or 125 feet is the total length including the wheel, I would say 120 feet. 17.4 is 17 feet 4 inches beam between the insides of the hull plus 2 feet on each side overhanging which makes 21 feet total beam and 4 feet 8 inches which is reduced to 3 feet 6 inches which may be due to the reduction/razing of the upper cabins when converted.)

In November 1861 enrolled at New Orleans. Owned by R. R. Barrow. Went to Confederate registry.

Also, after studying the lithgraph, I concluded the foredeck bulwark was likely hinged; Meagher agreed it was likely.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Here is some data, a a PDF of a model (I think the model is in the museum at Vicksburg);.

Great find.

I'm pretty sure that model is in the collections of the Old Depot Museum.
Maybe the museum staff could provide the model builder's contact info to @Mad Hungarian .

 

[Mad Hungarian]

Neil, I am indebted to you, sir. Thank you!

-Alex

 

[Mad Hungarian]

And that's an excellent idea. Thanks, 7th.

Today I've been working on a 3D model based primarily upon the lithograph. But this model will doubtless shed some new light!

 

[Mad Hungarian]

Wow! I came very close, based upon the lithograph, but this model provides some extra, useful information. Again , thanks so much, Neil!

 

[NeilL]

Wow! I came very close, based upon the lithograph, but this model provides some extra, useful information. Again , thanks so much, Neil!

My pleasure. I think the model has the bow bulwark too narrow; it should extend more to the sides, at least for the first four panels from the stem.

 

[rebelatsea]

Thanks Gents, I'd not seen that model. I do have a copy of the lithograph, but I'd love to see some plans.

 

[NeilL]

Here is a snapshot of part of Meagher's plans (external views) (I am hoping posting this is permitted; all rights are reserved in Mr. Meagher):

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I think we have two possible interpretations here.

Meagher and the model tend to be leaning toward a covered casemate; my interpretation of the lithograph (however accurate THAT is, of course) is one of bulwarks with an open "roof," as it were.

 

[NeilL]

I think we have two possible interpretations here.

Meagher and the model tend to be leaning toward a covered casemate; my interpretation of the lithograph (however accurate THAT is, of course) is one of bulwarks with an open "roof," as it were.

Mark, Do you mean the section aft of the pilothouse? What leads you to think it open, instead of planked/decked over?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

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I mean the forward half of the boat might be open to the sky. (The extreme bow certainly is; that seems to be a gun placed to fire en barbette, unless I'm misinterpreting the drawing.)

 

[NeilL]

Unfortunately, I think we will be left guessing. I have gone back-and-forth about the bow gun pictured, at times thinking they were not firing, but giving it the heave-ho to lighten the load, then back to firing, then back to ...

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

'Tis true, and one engraving isn't much to go on (and an engraving of a rather bizarre-looking boat, at that).

 

[Mad Hungarian]

I believe it may have been covered over as a sort of shelter for the gunnery crews, but admittedly, my first build of the ship was with an open bulwark. It was only after I saw that model that I decide perhaps a covered bulwark made more sense.

In terms of armament, she carried two 24 pounders in US Army and US Navy service. Light enough to be hoofed to different parts of the ship in order to be fired, I'd suspect, unless 24 pound howitzers weighed thousands of pounds more in the 1860s than the examples used later.