Fictional Or Nonfictional?

[SMCB1_W7]

After asking a senior member where to post it was suggested I try here.

I came across an interesting water craft (the only way I can describe what I don't know) its labeled as "Chata" and what googling I did only turned up reference's to Paraguayan ones used against Brazil.

So I'm confused as to why its a 3D file with what are appearing to be two Union ironclads, anyone able to point me in the right direction.

I know there's the old "Rule of Cool" in wargaming but its still gotta be put the right category.

Cheers for your time.

 

[Booner]

After a little "fiddling" around on the internet, I think a "chata" is a small, flat bottomed river vessel. The name could be derived from the Portuguese name for flat (chato), or perhaps Spanish, as the term "barca chata" in Spanish means "flatboat." So based on both terms, I'm going with a chata is a small flat bottomed boat that would be used in rivers to tend larger vessels or to haul small amounts of cargo.

Welcome to our forum! We always appreciate newcomers, especially if they paint models!

 

[SMCB1_W7]

After a little "fiddling" around on the internet, I think a "chata" is a small, flat bottomed river vessel. The name could be derived from the Portuguese name for flat (chato), or perhaps Spanish, as the term "barca chata" in Spanish means "flatboat." So based on both terms, I'm going with a chata is a small flat bottomed boat that would be used in rivers to tend larger vessels or to haul small amounts of cargo.

Welcome to our forum! We always appreciate newcomers, especially if they paint models!

Thank you for your reply very interesting and a little more I've got to go on.

But would it or could it be river defence in the civil war?

 

[Booner]

Thank you for your reply very interesting and a little more I've got to go on.

But would it or could it be river defence in the civil war?

My knowledge of the Spanish language begins and ends with my local Mexican restaurant, but couldn't a small barge, something that has blunt bow and stern, be used to ferry troops or if you put a couple of artillery pieces on it become a floating battery? If you did this in South America, you might call it a "chata?"

You might wan to post your question in our Navel Warfare forum. I see we have a new post there today on Civil War Monitors.

 

[19thGeorgia]

Another meaning for Chata: 'sitting duck.'

 

[Pat Answer]

Another meaning for Chata: 'sitting duck.'

Didn't Paraguay get absolutely mangled in a war about the time of our own?

 

[SMCB1_W7]

Thank you for your assistance. I will look to repost over in the "Navel warfare" area, see if more can be found on the subject.

Although yes i suspect it could be used as a floating battery or troop ferry under the "Rule of cool" .

My knowledge of the Spanish language begins and ends with my local Mexican restaurant, but couldn't a small barge, something that has blunt bow and stern, be used to ferry troops or if you put a couple of artillery pieces on it become a floating battery? If you did this in South America, you might call it a "chata?"

You might wan to post your question in our Navel Warfare forum. I see we have a new post there today on Civil War Monitors.

 

[SMCB1_W7]

Didn't Paraguay get absolutely mangled in a war about the time of our own?

If it is the case then it might be the original developers of the 3D file including the ironclads got two areas of historical research mixed up?

 

[Lubliner]

What about using these as gunboats to protect army transports, in lieu of defining 'ferrying' as it is.
Lubliner.

 

[Pat Answer]

If it is the case then it might be the original developers of the 3D file including the ironclads got two areas of historical research mixed up?

It's possible. Then again there were a whole series of what can best be described as 'pre-ironclad' gunboat and other coastal defense experiments afloat in the US before the war. I'd have to thumb through Brent Nosworthy's The Bloody Crucible of Courage (2003) again...

 

[7thWisconsin]

Didn't Paraguay get absolutely mangled in a war about the time of our own?

In answer to your question: yes. The War of the Triple Alliance (or sometimes just called the Paraguayan War) was absolutely devastating. Paraguay lost nearly everything: nearly all of its military assets of all kinds, nearly all of its economy and somewhere between 60-70% of its population. Absolute nightmare.

 

[Rhea Cole]

In answer to your question: yes. The War of the Triple Alliance (or sometimes just called the Paraguayan War) was absolutely devastating. Paraguay lost nearly everything: nearly all of its military assets of all kinds, nearly all of its economy and somewhere between 60-70% of its population. Absolute nightmare.

The Battle of Riachuelo between the navies of the Empire of Brazil & Paraguay in 1865 was the turning point of the war. Up until then, the Paraguayan Army had things pretty much their own way. From that point onward, things went down hill fast.

The drawn out last ditch fight that all but depopulated regions of Paraguay is a cautionary tale for anyone who wonders what would have happened if Lincoln's murder had provoked retribution & a hard peace.

The description reads, 'View from above, of a Paraguayan barge.' in Portuguese. The order of battle from Riachuelo does not include that kind of craft. Have to confess that firing a large naval cannon broadside on a small raft would concentrate the mind.