'Gunboat' Only?

[JPK Huson 1863]

I can't really look for this to see if it's been posted already, so if it has please excuse. The site said ' Gunboat on Jame River, 1864 ', but I'd have to think a photo this good of a gunboat is elsewhere, well identified?

 

[donna]

Another great photo.

 

[Carronade]

Looks like a converted ferryboat, of which there were quite a few, many named Commodore Someone. The few guns I can spot seem small. She's heeling over, and there's something on the far side, just above the small boat, that might be causing it. Can't make out what it is though.

 

[Republican Blues]

Looks like a converted ferry, much like the Hunchback.

Actually, that may very well be Hunchback

 

[Republican Blues]

On second thought the pilot houses are missing, so may not be......

 

[Carronade]

Nice photo of Hunchback, the gun appears heavier than in JPK's original. Look like sided 9" Dahlgrens and a banded Parrott rifle on a pivot, maybe a 100-pounder, a common arrangement on double-enders both purpose-built and converted. Apparently the rebel shore is to the left in this picture.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Nice pic, can't remember seeing that one before.

There were somewhere around 20-25 converted ferryboats pressed into service as gunboats; nearly all were sidewheelers, and nearly all could go either direction with equal facility. This was a valuable ability in tight spots like rivers and estuaries, and it inspired the numerous "double-ender" gunboats, purpose-built gunboats with rudders on both bow and stern. (Most were not true "double-enders" in the sense of being identical fore and aft, and the forward rudder was frequently smaller and would be used only when really needed.)

The ferries were typically sturdy, maneuverable, and (relatively) fast, making them good ersatz gunboats. Their principal weakness was that their engines were usually pretty vulnerable.

I'm not familiar enough with all the individual ferryboat gunboats to tell them apart by sight, though.

 

[TinCan]

I was just thinkin that she would have to be fast cause I can't see any evidence of armor at all.

 

[UKMarkw]

She's still in the water and there is another smaller boat on the leaning side, I think that structure on the top maybe trying to lift something which is causing the tilt

 

[Carronade]

This shot of the double-ender Winooski shows a distinct bow and stern, and the sailing rig and shrouds are clearly laid out for sailing forward.

Expired Image Removed

Square riggers could actually sail backwards, occasionally a useful trick in combat, and one reason for the preference for brigs over schooners in sailing navies. Not very relevant in the steam era though.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I was just thinkin that she would have to be fast cause I can't see any evidence of armor at all.

They fitted a number of them with protection around the pilothouses and the boilers, but I don't think either was standardized or universal.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

She's still in the water and there is another smaller boat on the leaning side, I think that structure on the top maybe trying to lift something which is causing the tilt

Either that or she might be aground...

 

[AndyHall]

I think she's likely aground in a tidal stretch of the river. The structure on top is the walking beam, part of the propulsion machinery.

Great view of the hinged plates shielding the gun decks, fore and aft. The awnings too, also, as well.

 

[DaveBrt]

I think she's likely aground in a tidal stretch of the river. The structure on top is the walking beam, part of the propulsion machinery.

Great view of the hinged plates shielding the gun decks, fore and aft. The awnings too, also, as well.

I agree, she is aground on a tidal flat.

 

[Carronade]

Just noticed, if you blow up the picture, the visible guns appear to be on army type carriages, with large spoked wheels. This was common, it allowed them to be moved quickly and brought to bear on any threat, but most references I've seen show a few light guns as backup to heavier ones like we see on Hunchback. In this case they seem to be the ship's main armament.

p.s. aground is a good explanation.

 

[AndyHall]

Just noticed, if you blow up the picture, the visible guns appear to be on army type carriages, with large spoked wheels. This was common, it allowed them to be moved quickly and brought to bear on any threat, but most references I've seen show a few light guns as backup to heavier ones like we see on Hunchback. In this case they seem to be the ship's main armament.

Good catch.

 

[UKMarkw]

Is it damaged on the near side above the wheel?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Yup, looks like she has a bit of a gash there.

 

[Carronade]

Good catch, looks like she scraped into something. That would be the widest part of the ship, if the "shields are up".

 

[AndyHall]

Yes, on the lightweight planking of the wheelbox. Hard to know if that's combat damage or evidence of a sharp encounter with a wharf.

That davit just forward of the suspended boat looks like it was on the losing end of a velocity/mass formula, too.