River obstructions.

[major bill]

In the post The Confederacy needed Hadrian Wall it was discussed if the Confederacy could have used river obstruction to keep the Union Navy at bay. Were there river obstructions that could have accomplished this? Chains, poles driven into the river bottom, sunken ships, and other methods are fine, but unless the obstructions are defended by troops and artillery, it is probable the Union could destroy obstructions faster than the Confederacy could build them. However, could the Confederacy have better deployed river obstruction methods?

 

[USS ALASKA]

Were there river obstructions that could have accomplished this?

Yes sir. Together with the methods you listed, mines ( 'Torpedoes' in ACW vernacular ) were used in rivers - both contact and electrically fired. They were also used on land to protect the approaches to whatever land batteries and fortifications that were on overwatch of the barriers.

However, could the Confederacy have better deployed river obstruction methods?

Sir, I believe they did the best they could with the limited resources available. Many local commanders wanted 'more' but there was nothing left to provide them with.

Please see...

Submerged Caissons of the ACW?? | The Naval War

A friend wrote to me today asking if I recognized a description of submerged caissons used during the ACW and provided a sketch showing how he interprets the description. My friend wrote, I want to enquire regarding a naval defence system that I came upon in the web some years ago and fool...

civilwartalk.com

River Obstructions to protect Wilmington | The Naval War

On a map of the Cape Fear River (Wilmington NC) from 1862, there are "river obstructions" in the river just south of Wilmington (see photos below). Does anyone know what those obstructions might have been, or how deep they were set? I would like to know how shallow a boat draft might need to be...

civilwartalk.com

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[USS ALASKA]

Sir, some good references that go into detail about Confederate maritime defenses and Union combined ops efforts to clear them - both successes and failures - are...

'Infernal Machines: The Story of Confederate Submarine and Mine Warfare' by Milton F. Perry

'The Impact Of Mine Warfare Upon US Naval Operations During The Civil War' by LCDR Edwin D. Lindgren USN

"**** the Torpedoes": A Short History of U.S. Naval Mine Countermeasures, 1777-1991 by Tamara Moser Melia

HTHs,
USS ALASKA

 

[DixieRifles]

One of the main defenses at Columbus Kentucky (and Belmont MO) was a chain strung across the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Chain

 

[DixieRifles]

One of the main defenses at Columbus Kentucky (and Belmont MO) was a chain strung across the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Chain

I forgot to add--- I think this use of a chain and the heavily defended forts were quite effective in stopping Grant and the US Navy from continuing to advance down the Mississippi River. I may not know all the factors involved in the decision but Grant branched off into the Tennessee River and penetrated the line of forts defending along the Tennessee border.