They are by the very talented William Geogehan, draughtsman working for the Smithsonian. We owe this gentleman a great deal. His drawings can be relied upon except in one case. His CSS Mississippi is wrong ,but he produced a very attractive and handsome ship, which unfortunately does not conform to the contact specs, nor to the evidence given at the enquiry by her constructors and officers. Those among us researching the ironclads would love to know what sources he based her on.
Yes indeed, rebuilt on the hull of the steamer Fingal. Her plan was based on that of the "small Mississippi" design, but with a longer ( by between 20 -25ft) casemate, as Fingals cylinders project above the deck as cut down.
Thanks for the information. David.
If I did get round to building it, I'd probably have a mid to dark grey hull, black funnel, Timber (tan?) masts, black yards.
All I know is that a G.N. Saunders was contracted to have 6 of these built in Europe. whether an individual or a company I don't know. Contract for 6 of these approved by the Confederate Congress 19/04/1862 with G. N. Sanders to be built in England, but not consummated. The guns were mounted in a short casemate amidships. An interesting design reminiscent of certain French ships in the later years of the 19th Century they were intended by J. L. Porter to be capable of carrying cargo, and fight their way through the blockade, as well as to act as commerce raiders, the weight calculations were almost certainly wrong, meaning they would not be able to carry cargo in fighting trim. Some thought was apparently given to trying to get these constructed in the South, but nothing came of the idea.
Bringing the