TYPE AND NAME. | Displacement. | Guns.
--------------------------+---------------+------
| Tons. |
Screw Frigates. | |
Villa de Madrid | | 48
Almansa | | 48
Navas de Tolosa | | 48
Gerona | | 48
Asturias | | 51
Carmen | | 41
Lealtad | | 33
Concepcion | | 32
Blanca | | 38
--------------------------+---------------+------
Screw Corvettes. | |
Maria de Molina | | 18
Jorge Juan | | 3
Sanchez Barcaiztegui | | 3
Tornado | | 6
Consuelo | | 2
Vencedora | | 3
Narvaëz | | 3
Santa Lucia | | 3
Diana | | 5
Africa | | 3
--------------------------+---------------+------
Paddle-wheel Corvettes. | |
Ciudad de Cadiz | | 16
Isabel la Catolica | | 16
Colon | | 6
Blasco de Garay | | 6
Pizarro | | 6
Hernan Cortez | | 6
Churruca | | 2
Leon | | 2
Vulcano | | 6
Lepanto | | 2
Fernando el Catolico | | 3
Marquis del Douro | | 3
Liniers | | 2
Vigilante | | 2
Alerta | | 2
Conte del Venadito | | 2
Don Juan de Austria | | 1
Guadalquiver | | 1
Bazan | | 2
Maria | | 1
--------------------------+---------------+------
Transports. | |
San Quentin | 1,300 |
San Francisco de Borja | 1,300 |
Marquis de la Vitoria | 1,200 |
Patino | 1,200 |
Ferrol | 800 |
San Antonio | 600 |
--------------------------+---------------+------
Screw Gun-boats. | |
Telegrama | | 1
Criollo | | 1
Ardid | | 1
Indis | | 1
Caribe | | 1
Alarma | | 1
Descubridor | | 1
Yumuri | | 1
Pelicano | | 1
Cocodrillo | | 1
Salamandra | | 1
Fradera | | 1
Martin Alvarez | | 1
Somorrostro | | 2
Ebro | | 2
Bidassoa | | 2
Teruel | | 2
Nervion | | 2
Toledo | | 2
Tajo | | 2
Arianza | | 2
Turia | | 2
Segura | | 2
Altrevido | | 2
Mindanao | | 2
Calamianes | | 1
Paragua | | 1
Mindoro | | 1
Prueba | | 1
Guadiana | | 3
Sirena | | 3
Ligera | | 3
Favorita | | 3
Santa Filomena | | 2
Constancia | | 2
Valiente | | 2
Animosa | | 2
Prosperidad | | 2
Buenaventura | | 2
Caridad | | 2
Concordia | | 2
Edetna | | 2
Ceres | | 2
Activo | | 1
Cuba | | 1
Española | | 1
Argos | | 1
Lince | | 1
Centinela | | 1
Guardian | | 1
Vigia | | 1
Astuto | | 1
Almendares | | 1
Eco | | 1
Destello | | 1
Contramaestro | | 1
Marinero | | 1
Ericsson | | 1
Cazador | | 1
Canto | | 1
Gacela | | 1
Panay | | 1
Samar | | 1
Filipino | | 1
Bulusar | | 1
Jolo | | 1
Maribeles | | 1
Arayak | | 1
Pampanza | | 1
Bojeador | | 1
Albay | | 1
Manileno | | 1
Caviteno | | 1
Callao | | 1
--------------------------+---------------+------
JORGE JUAN.
Second-class corvette, single screw, full sail-power. Complete
all-around fire obtained by means of overhang in half-ports. Forecastle
gun sunk in a well so as to cover the slide, carriage, and crew.
[Illustration: JORGE JUAN.]
TURKEY.
ARMORED FLEET.
A = Length between Perpendiculars.
B = Breadth of Beam.
C = Maximum Draft.
D = Displacement.
E = Indicated Horse-power.
F = Maximum Speed.
G = Greatest Thickness of Armor.
H = Least Thickness of Armor.
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
TYPE AND NAME. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
|Ft.|Ft.| Ft. |Tons.| |Knots.| In.| In.
Casemate Frigates.
Mess Oudieh |833|59 | 25 |8,994|7,910| 13 |18½ | 7
Nuss Ratijeh |292|54 | 25½ |6,900|6,800| 13 |18¼ | 6
Assar i Tefvik |275|50 | 21 |3,143|3,100| 13½ | 8 | 5½
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
Broadside Frigates.
Azizie |293|56 | 25 |6,500| | 12 | 4½ | 3
Orchanie |293|56 | 25 |6,500| | 12 | 4½ | 3
Mahmudie |293|56 | 25 |6,500| | 12 | 4½ | 3
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
Casemate Frigates.
Osmanie |293|56 | 25 |6,500| | 12 | 4½ | 3
Feth i Bulend |235|42 | 18 |2,760| | 13½ | 9 | 4½
Mukademmi i Hair |235|42 | 18 |2,760| | 12½ | 9 | 4½
Idschlalie |210|40 | 17 |2,800| | 11 | 5¾ | 4
Assar i Shefket |210|40 | 17 |2,800| | 11½ | 5½ | 3
Nedschin i Shefket|210|40 | 17 |2,800| | 11½ | 5½ | 3
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
Redoubt Corvettes.
Avni Illah |230|36 | 17 |2,320| | 12½ | 6 | 4½
Muin i Zaffir |230|36 | 17 |2,320| | 12½ | 6 | 4½
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
Monitors.
Hufz i Rahman |204|43 | 9 |2,300| | 12 | 6 | 4½
Seifi | | | | 640| 404 | 7 | 2½ | 2½
Hezber | | | | 640| 404 | 7 | 2½ | 2½
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
Casemate Gun-boats.
Feth i Islam |100|25 | 6 | 328| 290 | 8 | 2½ | 2
Beurtlen |100|25 | 6 | 328| 290 | 8 | 2½ | 2
Semendire |100|25 | 6 | 328| 290 | 8 | 2½ | 2
Iskodra |100|25 | 6 | 328| 290 | 8 | 2½ | 2
Podgoritza |100|25 | 6 | 328| 290 | 8 | 2½ | 2
---------------------+---+---+------+-----+-----+------+----+----
I = Backing.
J = Date of Launch.
---------------------+----+----+------------------------
TYPE AND NAME. | I | J | BATTERY.
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
| In.|Year|
Casemate Frigates. | | |
Mess Oudieh | 10 |1875| XII 10-inch, III 7-inch Armstrong.
Nuss Ratijeh | 18 |1878| X 9-inch, II 7-inch ”
Assar i Tefvik | 9 |1868| VI 9-inch, II 8-inch ”
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
Broadside Frigates. | | |
Azizie | 10 |1864|
Orchanie | 10 |1864| XIV 7-inch, X 36-pdr. ”
Mahmudie | 10 |1864|
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
Casemate Frigates. | | |
Osmanie | 10 |1864| XIV 7-inch, X 36-pdr. ”
Feth i Bulend | 10 |1869| IV 9-inch, ”
Mukademmi i Hair | 10 |1872| IV 9-inch, I 7-inch ”
Idschlalie | 13 |1870| IV 9-inch, I 7-inch Armstrong.
Assar i Shefket | 10 |1869| V 9-inch ”
Nedschin i Shefket| 10 |1868| IV 9-inch ”
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
Redoubt Corvettes. | | |
Avni Illah | 10 |1868| IV 9-inch ”
+----+-----------------------------------------
Muin i Zaffir | 10 |1868| II 9-inch, II 7-inch,
| | | I 4¾-inch ”
---------------------+----+-----------------------------------------
Monitors. | | |
Hufz i Rahman | 10 |1868|
Seifi | 5½|1875| II 4¾-inch Krupp.
Hezber | 5½|1875|
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
Casemate Gun-boats. | | |
Feth i Islam | 10 |1864|
Beurtlen | 10 |1864|
Semendire | 10 |1864| II 4¾-inch Krupp.
Iskodra | 10 |1864|
Podgoritza | 10 |1864|
---------------------+----+----+------------------------------------
MESS OUDIEH. NUSS RATIJH.
Armored belt and casemate, ram bow, round stern, single screw, full
sail-power. Sister-ships to the Superb (English). The armored belt
rises to the height of the main-deck beams, but does not cover the
point of the ram. The casemate is of the same type as that of the
Hercules, but longer, the sides being recessed forward and abaft for
angular ports. Fore-and-aft fire is obtained from unprotected bow and
stern-guns on the spar-deck, working in single ports.
[Illustration: MESS OUDIEH.]
AZIZIE. MAHMUDIE. ORCHANIE. OSMANIE.
Completely armored broadside frigates, with a low redoubt or traverse
on the forecastle. Swan-breasted ram bow, round stern, single screw,
full sail-power. The bow traverse protects two forward guns, each
working in two ports, for bow and beam fire. This traverse rounds off
the spar-deck rail some distance abaft the stern, which is carried up
as a support for the bow-sprit. Armored pilot-house at the rear of the
traverse.
[Illustration: AZIZIE.]
ASSAR I TEFVIK.
Armored belt, casemate, and two barbette turrets. (See Victorieuse.)
Ram bow, dome stern, single screw, full sail-power. Built in France.
FETH I BULEND. MUKADEMME I HAIR.
Armored belt and casemate, ram bow. (See Mess oudijeh.)
IDSCHLALIE. ASSAR I SCHEFKET. NEDSCHIN I SCHEFKET.
Armored belt, casemate, and single barbette turret amidships, at
after-end of casemate. Ram bow, round stern, full sail-power.
AVNI ILLAH. MUIN I ZAFFIR.
Armored belt; two octagonal redoubts having an overhang and connected
by an armored curtain in such a manner as to give the plan the
appearance of a violin. Ram bow, no deck armor. Built at Constantinople.
[Illustration: AVNI ILLAH.]
HUFZ I RAHMAN.
Double-turreted monitor, the forward turret being larger than the after
one. Tripod masts. Traverse at the bow. The turrets are revolved by
hand-power.
HEZBER.
Single-turreted, light-draft monitor. American type.
FETH I ISLAM. BEURTLEN. SEMENDIRE.
[Illustration: BEURTLEN.]
Light-draft, armored belt and casemate vessel; casemate rising above
deck with ports on all sides.
TURKISH UNARMORED FLEET.
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
TYPE AND NAME. | Tonnage. | Date of | Guns.
| | Launch. |
| Tons. | Year. |
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Ship of the Line. | | |
Fethie | 3,380 | 1855 | 67
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Frigates. | | |
Ertogrul | 3,344 | 1863 | 41
Hudavendighai | 2,897 | 1860 | 41
Selimie | 4,717 | 1865 | 55
Muhbiri Surur. | 1,477 | 1851 | 22
X (not yet named) | 1,621 | Building| 9
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Corvettes. | | |
Sinope | 800 | 1859 | 12
Brussa | 800 | 1859 | 12
Mensuré | 800 | 1863 | 12
Muzafer | 800 | 1863 | 12
Libnan | 800 | 1864 | 12
Edirné | 800 | 1859 | 12
Ismid | 800 | 1859 | 12
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Transports. | | |
Schaar i Nusret | 3,029 | 1869 | 2
Mevret i Nusreb | 3,029 | 1869 | 2
Sultanie | 2,902 | 1861 | 4
Babel | 1,733 | 1868 |
Taif | 1,609 | 1871 | 4
Assyr | 1,609 | 1875 | 4
Mukademie Nusret | 2,132 | 1875 |
Mukademie Scheref | 2,132 | 1875 |
Peiki Mesret | 2,132 | 1877 |
Rechbir i Zevfik | 2,132 | 1878 |
Feiz i Bahri | 1,490 | 1848 | 4
Essir i Djedid | 1,108 | 1841 | 6
Peiki Schfhet | 465 | 1853 | 4
Essei i Hair | 313 | 1839 | 4
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Sloops. | | |
Izzedin | 1,075 | 1865 | 4
Ismail | 1,075 | 1865 | 4
Zhalia | 1,075 | 1865 | 4
Fuad | 1,075 | 1865 | 4
Candia | 955 | 1863 | 6
Chania | 829 | 1863 | 3
Pertefi Prale | 909 | 1868 |
Rethmo | 777 | 1869 | 3
Arkadi | 767 | 1867 | 6
Mudai i Zafir | 1,385 | 1869 | 4
Essir i Nazret | 1,385 | 1869 | 4
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Schooners. | | |
Iskenderje | 609 | 1862 | 9
Zohaf | 609 | 1862 | 9
Mehrih | 609 | 1863 | 9
Uthraret | 609 | 1863 | 8
Beirut | 609 | 1859 | 12
Seddul Bahr | 609 | 1859 | 12
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Steamers. | | |
Sijar | 220 | 1865 | 4
Mossul | 220 | 1865 | 4
Istankieni | 203 | 1874 |
Jali Kioschk | 195 | 1869 | 1
Ninali Kavak | 195 | 1869 | 2
Intibah | 258 | 1866 | 4
Liver i Deyeh | 258 | 1866 | 4
Muschdi i Ressan | 258 | 1866 | 4
Schaheddin | 258 | 1866 | 4
Syrat | 184 | 1863 | 2
Suda | 184 | 1864 | 2
Bojana | 80 | | 2
Bai | | | 2
Eurgen | | | 2
-----------------------+----------+---------+----
Sultan’s Yacht, | | |
Surreja | 500 | 1865 | 4
-----------------------+----------+---------+----
Dispatch, Transport, | | |
and Service Steamers.| | |
Sulhie | 180 | 1868 |
Esser i Nezhet | 193 | 1847 | 2
Peik i Tjdscheret | 193 | 1845 | 4
Mermere | 153 | 1873 |
Eregli | 137 | 1873 |
Rustschuk | 112 | 1873 |
Jeni Kapu | 112 | 1873 |
Dschebali | 112 | 1873 |
Kabatsch | 112 | 1873 |
Tophané | 112 | 1873 |
Rassim Pasha | 77 | 1873 |
Dschitana | 78 | 1858 |
Funduklu | 77 | 1873 |
Oltenitscha | 78 | 1858 |
Rechber | 40 | 1863 |
-----------------------+----------+---------+---
DANUBE FLOTILLA.
-----------------------+----------+---------+---
Gun-boats. | | |
Schefket Nuna | 200 | 1864 | 4
Varna | 200 | 1869 | 4
Akka | 200 | 1869 | 4
-----------------------+----------+---------+------
Steamers. | | |
Chaireddin | 474 | | 2
Rodos | 203 | 1874 |
Isalahat | 120 | 1873 |
-----------------------+----------+---------+---
UNITED STATES.
IRON-CLAD FLEET.
A = Length between Perpendiculars.
B = Breadth of Beam.
C = Maximum Draft.
D = Displacement.
E = Indicated Horse-power.
F = Maximum Speed.
-------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+-------+------
TYPE AND NAME | A | B | C | D | E | F
-------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+-------+------
| Ft. | Ft.| Ft.| Tons. | |Knots.
Double-turreted Monitors.
Amphitrite | 250 | 55 | 14 | 3,815 | 1,800 | 12
Miantonomoh | 250 | 55 | 14 | 3,815 | 1,800 | 12
Puritan | 280 | 60 | 17 | 5,000 | 3,500 | 13
Monadnock | 250 | 60 | 14 | 3,815 | 1,800 | 12
Terror | 250 | 55 | 14 | 3,815 | 1,800 | 12
-------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+-------+------
Single-turreted Monitors.
Ajax | 225 | 44 | 13½| 2,100 | 350 | 8
Canonicus | 225 | 44 | 13½| 2,100 | 450 | 8
Camanche | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Catskill | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Dictator | 312 | 50 | 20½| 4,500 | 3,500 | 8
Jason | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Lehigh | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Mahopac | 225 | 44 | 13½| 2,100 | 450 | 8
Manhattan | 225 | 44 | 13½| 2,100 | 450 | 8
Montauk | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Nahant | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Nantucket | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Passaic | 200 | 46 | 11½| 1,875 | 350 | 8
Saugus | 225 | 44 | 13½| 2,100 | 450 | 8
-------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+-------+------
G = Armor Side.
H = Armor Turret.
I = Backing.
J = Date of Launch.
-------------------------+----+----+----+--------+------------------
TYPE AND NAME. | G | H | I | J | BATTERY.
-------------------------+----+----+----+--------+------------------
| In.| In.| In.| Year. |
Double-turreted Monitors.
Amphitrite | 7 | 10½| 8 |Building|
Miantonomoh | 7 | 10½| 8 | 1876 |
Puritan | | | |Building| IV 10-inch B.L.R.
Monadnock | 7 | 10½| 8 | ” |
Terror | 7 | 10½| 8 | ” |
-------------------------+----+----+----+--------+------------------
Single-turreted Monitors.
Ajax | 5 | 10 | 4 | 1865 |
Canonicus | 5 | 10 | 4 | 1864 |
Camanche | 5 | 11 | 6 | |
Catskill | 5 | 11 | 6 | 1863 |
Dictator | 6 | 15 | | |
Jason | 5 | 11 | 6 | | II 15-inch S.B.
Lehigh | 5 | 11 | 6 | 1863 |
Mahopac | 5 | 10 | 4 | 1863 |
Manhattan | 5 | 10 | 4 | |
Montauk | 5 | 11 | 6 | |
Nahant | 5 | 11 | 6 | 1863 |
Nantucket | 5 | 11 | 6 | 1863 |
Passaic | 5 | 11 | 6 | 1862 |
Saugus | 5 | 10 | 4 | |
-------------------------+----+----+----+--------+------------------
AMPHITRITE. MIANTONOMOH. PURITAN. MONADNOCK. TERROR.
Double-turreted, low-freeboard monitor vessels. No overhang. Turrets
suspended on a central spindle on the Ericsson system. Resting normally
on their bases, but elevated for revolving by means of hydraulic
presses. Conning tower on top of each turret. Light flying deck
between the turrets, with a ventilating shaft rising just abaft the
smoke-stack. Twin screws.
[Illustration: MIANTONOMOH.]
THE FIFTEEN SINGLE-TURRETED MONITORS.
Old-type, single-turreted, low-freeboard monitors. All except the
Dictator have an overhang. In some the turrets are raised by driving
wedges under the spindle; in others by hydraulic presses. Conning tower
on top of the turret. Laminated plating.
[Illustration: PASSAIC.]
INTREPID.
Armored torpedo vessel. Ram bow, round stern, twin screws, partial
sail-power. The armored belt, made up of five inches of laminated
plating, encircles the water-line to the height of the upper-deck
beams. The lower part of the smoke-stack is protected by a belt of
nine inches of laminated plating. The deck is made up of two ¾-inch
thicknesses of plate covered by a wooden deck. The pilot-house forward
is musket-proof. The hull is of iron, with a wood backing to the
armor of eleven inches. Aft is a light wooden superstructure, forming
quarters for officers. The vessel carries no guns and is provided with
torpedo-spars (one forward and four broadside).
[Illustration: INTREPID.]
ALARM.
Partially armored torpedo gun-boat. Ram bow, pointed stern. Mallory
steering-screw; no sail-power. The bow of the vessel is provided with
an armored traverse of four inches thickness, the remainder of the hull
being unprotected. One 15-inch smooth-bore is carried forward, firing
only straight ahead. It is the intention to replace this by a 10-inch
rifle. The hull is of iron and double, with cellular compartments
and water-tight compartments in addition. Three torpedo-spars are
projected. One from the snout of the ram a distance of 30 feet, and
one from each beam 17 feet. Musket-proof pilot-house aft. Steel ⅜-inch
deck-plate under a wooden deck.
[Illustration: ALARM.]
UNITED STATES GENERAL-SERVICE FLEET.
A = Length between Perpendiculars.
B = Breadth of Beam.
C = Maximum Draft.
D = Displacement.
E = Indicated Horse-power.
F = Maximum Speed.
G = Date of Launch.
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
TYPE AND NAME. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
| Ft. | Ft.| Ft. | Tons. | |Knots| Year
Frigates.
Colorado | 264 | 53 | 23¼ | 4,772 | 997 | 9 | 1855
Franklin | 270 | 54 | 25½ | 5,162 | 2,000 | 10 | 1865
Minnesota | 265 | 51 | 24 | 4,833 | 993 | 9 | 1855
Wabash | 262 | 51 | 23½ | 4,774 | 1,039 | 10 | 1855
Tennessee | 335 | 45 | 22½ | 4,105 | 2,500 | 10 | 1865
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
Corvettes.
Lancaster | 236 | 46 | 19 | 3,291 | 2,000 | 9 | 1858
Brooklyn | 233 | 43 | 19 | 2,686 | 705 | 9 | 1858
Pensacola | 231 | 45 | 20 | 2,852 | 2,000 | 10 | 1858
Hartford | 225 | 44 | 18 | 2,826 | 696 | 8 | 1858
Richmond | 225 | 43 | 17 | 2,604 | 2,000 | 9 | 1858
Trenton | 253 | 48 | 21¾ | 3,900 | 3,500 | 13 | 1876
Powhatan | | | 18¾ | 3,980 | 1,500 | 10 | 1850
Alaska | 251 | 38 | 17½ | 2,394 | 1,150 | 12½ | 1868
Benicia | 251 | 38 | 17½ | 2,394 | 1,150 | 9 | 1868
Omaha | 251 | 38 | 17½ | 2,394 | 1,150 | 12½ | 1868
Plymouth | 251 | 38 | 17½ | 2,394 | 1,150 | 12½ | 1868
Lackawanna | 234 | 38 | 17½ | 2,526 | 1,304 | 9½ | 1862
Ticonderoga | 234 | 38 | 17½ | 2,526 | 1,304 | 12 | 1862
Canandaigua | 225 | 38 | 15 | 2,128 | 1,304 | 8¾ | 1862
Monongahela | 225 | 38 | 17½ | 2,078 | 1,304 | 8½ | 1863
Shenandoah | 225 | 38 | 17½ | 2,070 | 1,304 | 8½ | 1863
Juniata | 205 | 38 | 16 | 1,934 | 1,304 | 8 | 1861
Ossipee | 205 | 38 | 17½ | 1,934 | 1,304 | 8 | 1862
Quinnebaug | 216 | 30 | 11¾ | 1,113 | 1,132 | 11½ | 1875
Swatara | 216 | 30 | 18 | 1,113 | 1,132 | 11½ | 1873
Galena | 216 | 32 | 18 | 1,900 | 1,132 | 12½ | 1877
Vandalia | 220 | 38 | 17½ | 2,080 | 1,132 | 12½ | 1874
Marion | 220 | 38 | 18 | 1,900 | 1,132 | 12½ | 1873
Mohican | 216 | 30 | 18 | 1,900 | 1,132 | 12½ |Building
Iroquois | 199 | 34 | 11¾ | 1,488 | 813 | 11½ | 1858
Wachusetts | 199 | 34 | 12½ | 1,488 | 717 | 10 | 1861
Wyoming | 199 | 33 | 11 | 1,475 | 717 | 9¾ | 1858
Tuscarora | 199 | 33 | 12¾ | 1,457 | 717 | 9 | 1862
Kearsarge | 199 | 34 | 12¼ | 1,461 | 822 | 9¾ | 1862
Adams | 185 | 35 | 16½ | 1,375 | 800 | 11½ | 1874
Alliance | 185 | 35 | 16 | 1,375 | 800 | 11½ | 1875
Essex | 185 | 35 | 16¼ | 1,375 | 800 | 10½ | 1874
Enterprise | 185 | 35 | 16 | 1,375 | 800 | 11½ | 1874
Nipsic | 185 | 35 | 12½ | 1,375 | 800 | 11½ | 1878
Narragansett| | | | 1,235 | 1,000 | 9½ | 1858
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
2d Class Corvettes.
Alert | 175 | 28 | 13¾ | 1,020 | 560 | 9½ | 1874
Ranger | 175 | 28 | 13½ | 1,020 | 560 | 9½ | 1874
Kansas | 180 | 30 | 13½ | 900 | 670 | 9½ | 1864
Saco | 180 | 30 | 13½ | 900 | 670 | 9½ | 1865
Shawmut | 180 | 30 | 13½ | 900 | 670 | 9 | 1865
Yantic | 180 | 30 | 13¾ | 900 | 670 | 9½ | 1878
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
Paddle Steamers.
Ashuelot | | | | 1,370 | 1,468 | 8 | 1864
Monocacy | | | | 1,370 | 1,468 | 8 | 1864
Michigan | | | | 685 | 750 | 9 | 1844
Rio Bravo | | | | | | 6 |Purchased
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
Torpedo Vessels.
Alarm | 173 | 28 | 11 | 720 | 800 | 11 | 1873
Intrepid | 170 | 35 | 12 | 1,123 | 800 | 9 | 1874
----------------+-----+----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
TYPE AND NAME. | BATTERY.
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
Frigates. |
Colorado | I 11-inch, XLII 9-inch, II 100-pdrs., II 20-pdrs.
Franklin | I 11-inch, XXXVIII 9-inch, IV 100-pdrs.
+---------------------------------------------------
Minnesota |
Wabash | I 11-inch, XLII 9-inch, II 100-pdrs.
+---------------------------------------------------
Tennessee |
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
Corvettes. |
Lancaster | II 11-inch, XX 9-inch.
+---------------------------------------------------
Brooklyn | II 11-inch, XVIII 9-inch, II 60-pdrs.
Pensacola |
+---------------------------------------------------
Hartford | II 11-inch, XVI 9-inch, II 20-pdrs.
Richmond |XII 9-inch, II 100-pdrs., I 20-pdrs.
Trenton | XI 8-inch, II 20-pdrs. Rifles.
Powhatan | I 11-inch, XIV 9-inch, II 100-pdrs.
+---------------------------------------------------
Alaska |
Benicia | I 11-inch, X 9-inch,
Omaha | I 60-pdr., II 20-pdrs.
Plymouth |
+---------------------------------------------------
Lackawanna | II 11-inch, VIII 9-inch, II 20-pdrs.
Ticonderoga | II ” VIII ” I 60-pdr., II 20-pdrs.
Canandaigua | II ” VIII ” II 20-pdrs.
Monongahela | II ” VIII ” I 60-pdr.
Shenandoah | II ” VIII ” I ” II 20-pdrs.
+---------------------------------------------------
Juniata | I 11-inch, VI 9-inch,
Ossipee | I 60-pdr.
+---------------------------------------------------
Quinnebaug | I 8-inch, I 60-pdr. (rifles),
Swatara | VI 9-inch.
+---------------------------------------------------
Galena |
+---------------------------------------------------
Vandalia | I 11-inch, VI 9-inch, I 60-pdr.
Marion |
+---------------------------------------------------
Mohican |
+---------------------------------------------------
Iroquois | II 11-inch, IV 9-inch, III 20-pdrs.
Wachusetts | II 11-inch, IV 9-inch, I 60-pdr.
Wyoming | II ” IV ” I 20-pdr.
+---------------------------------------------------
Tuscarora | II 11-inch, IV 9-inch, II 20-pdr.
Kearsarge |
+---------------------------------------------------
Adams |
Alliance |
Essex | I 11-inch, IV 9-inch, I 60-pdr.
Enterprise |
Nipsic |
+---------------------------------------------------
Narragansett| II 11-inch, IV 9-inch, II 20-pdrs.
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
2d Class Corvettes.
Alert |
Ranger |
Kansas | I 11-inch, II 9-inch, I 60-pdr.
Saco |
Shawmut |
Yantic |
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
Paddle Steamers.|
Ashuelot | IV 8-inch, II 60-pdrs., II 20-pdrs.
Monocacy |
+---------------------------------------------------
Michigan | VIII 20-pdrs.
Rio Bravo | Howitzers.
----------------+---------------------------------------------------
Torpedo Vessels.|
Alarm | I 15-inch.
Intrepid | No guns.
----------------+-------------------------------------
---------------+--------------
TYPE AND NAME. | Displacement.
---------------+--------------
| Tons.
Gun-boats. |
Palos | 306
Dispatch | 730
Fortune | 306
Mayflower | 306
Leyden | 306
Nina | 306
Pinta | 306
Speedwell | 306
Triana | 306
Standish | 306
Catalpa | 191
Pilgrim | 168
---------------+--------------
These Gun-boats are at present unarmed, and, with the exception of the
Palos and Dispatch, are used as Tenders at dock-yards. The Palos is in
service in China; the Dispatch is in service as a cruising gun-boat.
TENNESSEE.
Iron-braced, wooden, rapid steam frigate. Straight bow, strengthened
and provided with a bronze ram; round stern, single screw, full
sail-power. No heavy bow-fire.
TRENTON.
Iron-braced, wooden, first-class corvette (second-rate frigate).
Ram bow, round stern, single screw, full sail-power. Bow-fire fully
developed from four 8-inch rifles. Bower and sheet chains coming in
on the berth-deck, leaving the forward part of the gun-deck clear for
working the forward guns. Gun-deck battery of eight 8-inch rifles in
broadside; spar-deck battery, two 8-inch pivot-guns forward giving bow
and beam fire, and one 8-inch pivot-gun aft giving stern and beam fire.
[Illustration: TRENTON.]
POWHATAN.
Old-fashioned wooden paddle-wheel frigate.
ASHUELOT. MONOCACY.
Iron, paddle-wheel, double-ender corvettes. These vessels were
originally provided with a rudder at each end, but the forward one
is removed. They can carry in addition to their present armament
one 11-inch pivot forward and one 11-inch pivot aft. Musket-proof
pilot-house on the hurricane-deck.
[Illustration: ASHUELOT.]
MICHIGAN.
Old-fashioned iron, paddle-wheel gun-boat carrying a battery of
boat-guns.
RIO BRAVO.
Light-draft river steamer carrying a battery of boat-guns. (Purchased.)
DISPATCH
Rapid dispatch vessel carrying a battery of boat-guns. (Purchased.)
The remainder of the fleet is made up of the ordinary general-service
type of corvettes and gun-boats.
[Illustration: ALASKA.]
[Illustration: ESSEX.]
[Illustration: PINTA.]
THE PRINCIPAL
NAVAL BATTLES OF TWENTY YEARS.
1860-1880.
I. BOMBARDMENTS OF EARTHWORKS.
II. BOMBARDMENTS OF MASONRY FORTS.
III. PASSAGES OF FORTS.
IV. DASHES.
V. ASSAULTS.
VI. DELIBERATE GENERAL ACTIONS.
VII. IRON-CLADS AGAINST WOODEN VESSELS.
VIII. DUELS.
BOMBARDMENTS OF EARTHWORKS.
_Earthworks at Hatteras Inlet, August 28 and 29, 1861._
FEDERAL.
WOODEN SQUADRON.
Guns.
Minnesota 46
Wabash 45
Susquehanna 17
Sailing Corvette Cumberland 24
Pawnee 15
Monticello 6
Harriet Lane 5
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Clark._—Water-battery mounting 5 guns.
_Fort Hatteras._—Earthwork mounting 20 guns.
Early on the morning of the 28th, the Wabash, with the Cumberland in
tow, led in to attack Fort Clark, followed by the Minnesota and later
by the Susquehanna. This battery was bombarded for three hours, the
ships passing and repassing, when it was deserted and not reoccupied.
The remainder of the squadron were employed during the forenoon landing
troops, but owing to the rough surf only landed 300 men, who occupied
and raised a flag on Fort Clark, but took no part in the action at
any time. Late in the afternoon fire from the whole fleet was opened
on Fort Hatteras and continued for two hours, when the ships drew
out of action for the night. At 8 a.m. next day, the frigates led
in and opened the engagement, continuing it for three hours, when
Fort Hatteras surrendered. Six hundred and seventy prisoners were
taken in addition to the forts with their armaments. The gun-boats
were slightly injured, and four or five men wounded. Loss of the
Confederates unknown beyond 18 wounded prisoners.
_Earthworks at Hilton Head, November 7, 1861._
FEDERAL.
MAIN SQUADRON.
Guns.
Wabash 45
Susquehanna 17
Mohican 7
Seminole 6
Pawnee 15
Unadilla 6
Ottawa 5
Pembina 4
Vandalia 22
(In tow of a light gun-boat.)
FLANKING SQUADRON.
Bienville 11
Seneca 4
Curlew 6
Penguin 9
Augusta 10
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Walker._—II 6-inch rifles, XII 32-pdrs., I 10-inch,
II 8-inch, III 7-inch, I 42-pdr., II 12-pdrs.,
smooth-bores = 23 guns.
_Fort Beauregard._—VIII 32-pdrs., I 6-inch rifle, V 42-pdrs.,
I 10-inch, I 8-inch, II 24-pdrs.,
II 6-pdrs. = 20 guns.
At 8.30 a.m. the main squadron formed in line ahead, and passing
in between the forts turned towards Fort Walker, delivering their
broadsides as they passed within 600 yards. Turning, they passed
Fort Beauregard (across the channel and two miles from Fort Walker),
delivering broadsides. On the third time passing Fort Walker, it was
deserted and taken possession of. Fort Beauregard had been silenced
sooner and was taken possession of in the afternoon. The flanking
squadron had been sent to attack a flotilla of Confederate gun-boats,
which retreated up the river; they then took part in the general
engagement. Federal loss, 8 killed, 23 wounded. Duration of action,
five hours.
_Earthworks on the Mississippi, February 6, 1862._
FEDERAL.
VAN DIVISION—IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Cincinnati 13
Essex 7
Carondelet 13
St. Louis 13
REAR DIVISION—WOODEN GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Conestoga 7
Taylor 7
Lexington 7
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Henry._—Twenty guns, mostly of heavy calibre.
The squadron advanced in two divisions, line abreast, the iron-clads
leading, and opened fire at 1700 yards, slowing down and approaching
to 600 yards. Stopping at this position, the action continued for an
hour and a quarter, when the fort surrendered. During this engagement
the Cincinnati was struck 31 times, Essex 15 times, St. Louis 7 times,
Carondelet once. Casualties, 2 killed, 37 wounded, of whom 28 were
scalded by the steam from the boiler of the Essex, which was pierced.
_Earthworks at Roanoke Island, February 7, 1862._
FEDERAL.
GUN-BOAT FLEET.
Guns.
Stars and Stripes 5
Louisiana 5
Hetzel 2
Underwriter 4
Delaware 3
Valley City 5
Southfield 4
Hunchback 4
Morse 2
Whitehead 1
Seymour 2
Shawsheen 2
Lockwood 3
Ceres 2
Putnam 1
Brincker 1
Granite 1
CONFEDERATE.
Fort Bartow 8
” Blanchard 4
” Huger 12
” Ellis 4
” Forrest 9
Park Point water-battery 3
Eight light gun-boats mounting 17 guns.
The Federal fleet had convoyed a squadron of army transports carrying
17,000 men, for the purpose of landing them and then silencing the
batteries so that they could be captured by the troops. The fleet,
having taken up an irregular position owing to the shallow water,
opened fire at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. the landing of troops was commenced
and was completed before dark, when the fleet ceased firing. At
daylight on the 8th firing was recommenced. At 1 p.m. a row of
obstructions across the channel was broken through and the Confederate
gun-boats were driven up the river. By 3 p.m. the works were all
silenced and in the hands of the troops.
Loss, 6 killed, 17 wounded, eight of the latter by the explosion of a
rifled 80-pdr.
_Earthworks on the Mississippi, February 14, 1862._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD GUN BOATS.
Guns.
St. Louis 13
Carondelet 13
Louisville 13
Pittsburg 13
WOODEN.
Taylor 7
Conestoga 7
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Donelson._—A triple row of earthworks, one behind and above the
other, mounting in all 20 guns.
The gun-boats advanced in two divisions, line abreast, at 3 p.m., and
opened fire at 600 yards, holding their position for an hour and a
half, when they drifted out of action disabled, having only silenced
the water-battery: 10 killed, 44 wounded. The steering-gear of the St.
Louis and the Louisville was shot away, and the other vessels were
forced out of action on account of shots between wind and water.
_Earthworks on the James River, May 15, 1862._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLADS.
Guns.
Galena 6
Monitor 2
WOODEN.
Aroostook 6
Port Royal 6
Naugatuck 6
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Darling._—A strong earthwork, built on a perpendicular bluff
about 200 feet above the river, mounting 14 heavy guns.
[Illustration: CARONDELET.
United States Iron-clad River Gun-boat, used with great success during
the Civil War.]
The iron-clads moved up to within 600 yards, which was as close as they
could come and reach the fort with their guns. The wooden vessels came
to within about 1400 yards and the squadron anchored, and, springing
their broadsides on the fort, opened fire. The action continued four
hours, when the ammunition of the Galena giving out and no impression
having been made on the fort, the squadron drew out of action: 13
killed, 14 wounded. All the casualties except two wounded happened on
board the Galena, an experimental iron-clad. She was so much cut up
that her armor was removed and she was made a wooden gun-boat. The
Monitor was uninjured.
_Earthworks at Fort Hindman, January 10 and 11, 1863._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Louisville 13
Baron de Kalb 13
Cincinnati 13
Lexington 7
Black Hawk 6
Rattler 6
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Hindman_, Arkansas River.—A quadrangular earthwork, mounting 10
guns, two of the heaviest being in armored casemates.
At 5 p.m. of the 10th, the Louisville, De Kalb, and Cincinnati moved
up in line abreast to within 400 yards and opened fire. As soon as the
fire of the forts slackened the Lexington and Black Hawk moved up and
opened with shrapnel, while the Rattler passed up the river and took
the fort in enfilade. Ceased firing and drew out of action at dark. In
the morning the attack was renewed in the same manner, and the fort
surrendered in four hours. Casualties, 5 killed, 23 wounded. The two
casemates were completely shattered and every gun dismounted.
_Earthworks at Grand Gulf, April 29, 1863._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Louisville 13
Carondelet 13
Mound City 13
Pittsburg 13
Tuscumbia 5
Benton 16
Lafayette 6
CONFEDERATE.
_Grand Gulf Batteries_, Mississippi.—Consisting of one fort 75 feet
high, mounting four heavy rifles, and one fort farther down the river
mounting four heavy rifles.
The Louisville, Carondelet, Mound City, and Pittsburg moved down in
line ahead and attacked the lower battery, silencing it an hour, and
then moved up to the support of other vessels against the upper one.
The action continued five hours and a half, and the batteries being
silenced the flotilla drew out of action, expecting the army to assault
and take possession. This was not done, and the next day the flotilla
was ordered to attack again. The batteries were both found deserted
and the guns spiked, except three which had been dismounted by the
firing. Casualties: Lafayette, 1 wounded; Benton, 7 killed, 12 wounded;
Louisville, none; Tuscumbia, 5 killed, 24 wounded; Mound City, none;
Carondelet, none; Pittsburg, 6 killed, 12 wounded. The Benton was
hit 47 times; 12 shots pierced the ⅝-inch armor, 4 shots pierced the
2½-inch casemate armor, and 1 shot pierced the 1½-inch armor of the
pilot-house. Louisville hit 7 times, Tuscumbia 81 times, Pittsburg 35
times.
_Earthworks at Simonoseki, July 11, 16, and 20, 1863, and September 5,
1864._
These attacks were made by vessels of different nationalities on a
series of earthworks lining the narrow straits of Simonoseki, Japan.
July 11, the Dutch corvette Medusa entered the straits, and being fired
at opened fire on the batteries at a distance of 1200 yards. The action
continued one hour, when the Medusa drew out without having silenced
the batteries. Casualties, 4 killed, 5 wounded.
On the 10th, the United States corvette Wyoming entered the straits,
and on being fired at opened a return fire. Passing between two sailing
gun-boats on one side and a steam gun-boat on the other at pistol-shot
distance, she gave them both broadsides, sinking the sailing vessels
and blowing up the boiler of the steamer. Action continued an hour and
a half, when the Wyoming drew out without silencing the batteries.
Casualties, 4 killed, 7 wounded.
On the 20th, the French frigate Semiramis and corvette Tancrède
entered the strait, and on being fired at returned the fire. The first
broadside blew one of the earthworks to pieces. In two hours the forts
were silenced, and a landing party spiked the guns and blew up the
magazine.
On the 5th of September, 1864, an allied squadron of English, French,
Dutch, and American vessels, 16 in number, mounting 200 guns, and
carrying 3500 men, anchored in the straits and opened fire on the
batteries. The batteries were silenced and deserted in about two
hours. The next day a force of 2600 men was landed, the guns were
spiked and the fortifications were dismantled. Casualties, 12 killed,
60 wounded.
_Earthworks at Kagosima, August 15, 1863._
ENGLISH.
Guns.
Euryalus 35
Pearl 24
Perseus 17
Argus 6
Race-horse 4
Havoc 2
Coquette 2
JAPANESE.
KAGOSIMA DEFENCE.
One fort containing four guns.
One fort containing twenty guns.
The corvettes advanced in line ahead on the four-gun battery,
delivering their broadsides as they passed, silencing the fort and
leaving it to the care of the gun-boats. Passing on to within 1200
yards of the twenty-gun battery they bombarded it for six hours, having
to contend with a typhoon at the same time. During the action the city
of Kagosima was accidentally set on fire and nearly half of it was
burned. The fort was not silenced at dusk, when the squadron hauled out
of action, but the next morning the Japanese came to terms before the
attack was renewed.
_Earthworks off Charleston Harbor, July 18 and August 17, 1863._
FEDERAL.
INNER LINE—IRON-CLADS.
Guns.
Montauk 2
New Ironsides 20
Catskill 2
Nantucket 2
Weehawken 2
Patapsco 2
OUTER LINE—WOODEN GUN-BOATS.
Paul Jones 9
Ottawa 5
Seneca 4
Chippewa 6
Wissahicken 4
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Wagner_.—A strong earthwork, containing 10 heavy guns, and
supported by three 4-gun water-batteries.
On the 18th of July the iron-clads moved in line, taking up a position
abreast the fort and within 1200 yards, the gun-boats firing at long
range. At 4 p.m., the tide serving, the iron-clads moved in to 400
yards and completely silenced the fort. Drew out of action at dark, the
object of silencing the battery being accomplished. On August 17th the
iron-clads moved in abreast the fort to within 450 yards, and silenced
the fort in two hours. Drew out of action at noon, the object having
been accomplished.
_Earthworks at Fort McAllister, March 3, 1863._
FEDERAL.
MONITORS.
Guns.
Passaic 2
Patapsco 2
Nahant 2
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort McAllister._—A strong earthwork containing seven heavy guns and
one 11-inch mortar.
This attack was intended as a test of the strength of monitors to
resist a heavy fire. The monitors moved up in line ahead and opened
fire, continuing the action for eight hours at a distance of 1200
yards. The forts were not silenced. The Passaic was hit 9 times on the
side-armor, no damage; 13 hits on the deck-plating, the deck being
crushed through in three places; 5 hits on the turret, no damage; 2 on
the pilot-house, no damage; 1 on the roof of the turret, breaking a
beam; 4 through smoke-stack—34 hits in all; none killed or wounded.
Patapsco one hit on deck; no injury. Nahant no hits.
_Earthworks at Fort Fisher, December 24 and 25, 1864, and January 13
and 14, 1865._
FEDERAL.
FIRST LINE—IRON-CLADS.
Guns.
New Ironsides 20
Canonicus 2
Monadnock 4
Saugus 2
Mahopac 2
WOODEN GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Nyack 8
Unadilla 6
Huron 4
Pequot 8
Pontoosuc 6
Nereus 2
Kansas 8
SECOND LINE—FRIGATES.
Guns.
Wabash 45
Powhatan 19
Susquehanna 18
Colorado 45
Minnesota 46
CORVETTES.
Guns.
Juniata 11
Shenandoah 10
Brooklyn 26
Ticonderoga 10
Tuscarora 10
Mohican 7
Vanderbilt 15
GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Seneca 4
Pawtuxet 4
Mackinaw 12
Maumee 4
Yantic 5
ADVANCED SQUADRON OF
SECOND LINE—GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Monticello 7
Rhode Island 11
Sassacus 6
Chippewa 6
Osceola 8
Tacony 6
St. Jago de Cuba 10
Fort Jackson 6
RESERVE LINE—GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Aries
Howquah
Wilderness
Cherokee
Vance
Anemone
Moccasin
Eolus
Gettysburg
Keystone State 13
Banshee
Emma
Lilian
Nansemond
Tristram Shandy
Britannia
Bignonia
Governor Buckingham
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Fisher_ and a range of isolated batteries containing 36 guns,
about one half being rifles.
At daylight the fleet steamed in in lines ahead, the first line
anchoring abreast the sea-face of the fort within 1300 yards, the
second line abreast the salient of the works at 1700 yards, the
advanced second line abreast the land-face attacking the outworks;
the reserve, out of fire, outside of the second line. The fort was
completely silenced in an hour and a quarter. Fire was kept up all day,
and 3000 troops were disembarked, but returned without attempting an
assault. The enemy’s fire was silenced so quickly that not a person
was injured in the fleet. Six 100-pdr. rifles exploded in the fleet,
killing 16 and wounding 23. Three gun-boats were partially disabled by
the fire from the fort, but went into action next day. On the 25th the
same positions were taken by the lines and the fort was silenced in one
hour. On January 13th the same positions were taken and the fort was
silenced in three hours. Fire was kept up all day, and 8000 troops were
landed in three hours. January 15th the same positions were taken, and
the fort was silenced in one hour. (For remainder of action of 15th,
see _Assaults_.) During these bombardments, every gun on the sea-face
(19) was dismounted or disabled.
_Earthworks on the Danube, May 6, 1877._
The Turkish double-turreted monitor Luft-i-Dyelil attacked a
water-battery on the Danube at a distance of 1800 yards. The Russians
replied with rifled field artillery. After an action of one hour the
monitor received a shot through her boiler, which blew up and sank the
ship. All but one man lost.
_Earthworks at Callao, May 2, 1866._
SPANISH.
ONE IRON-CLAD FRIGATE,
FIVE WOODEN FRIGATES,
ONE WOODEN GUN-BOAT.
Guns.
Numancia 33
Blanca 25
Resolucion 25
Berenguela 16
Villa de Madrid 52
Almansa 38
Vencedora 3
PERUVIAN.
_Defences of Callao._—Range of earthworks containing XV 32-pdrs., VI
60-pdrs., IV 9-inch rifles, II iron revolving turrets, IV 9-inch, II
light-draft monitors, II 6-inch rifles.
The fleet divided into three divisions for the attack of different
parts of the line of fortifications, and went into action in line ahead
at noon, taking positions at about 1600 yards’ distance and maintaining
an action of four hours, when the squadron drew out of action, not
having silenced the forts. One battery only silenced through the
bursting of a gun. Casualties in the fleet, 38 killed, 150 wounded.
The. Villa de Madrid was disabled early in the action by a shot
through her boiler. The Resolucion was disabled by a shot through the
water-line. Admiral Nuñez wounded.
RÉSUMÉ.
Total number of earthwork attacks noted, 21.
COMPLETE SUCCESS—8. Hatteras Inlet, Hilton Head, Fort Henry, Roanoke
Island, Fort Hindman, Grand Gulf, French at Simonoseki, Allies at
Simonoseki.
PARTIAL SUCCESS—6. Kagosima, Fort Wagner, three attacks on Fort Fisher,
second attack on Fort Wagner.
FAILURES—7. Fort Donelson, Fort Darling, Dutch at Simonoseki, Americans
at Simonoseki, Fort McAllister, Danube forts, Callao.
Of the partial successes, all six accomplished the objects of the
bombardment. In that of Kagosima the Japanese were brought to terms,
and the other five had for their object to silence the forts, which
they accomplished.
Of the failures, the two attacks on Simonoseki were retaliatory
measures, and would probably have succeeded had they been kept up
longer. Fort Darling and Fort McAllister were experimental tests,
although there are no grounds to believe that the forts would have been
silenced had the action been kept up longer. At Fort Donelson, the
Danube forts, and Callao the ships were beaten.
BOMBARDMENTS OF MASONRY FORTS.
_Attack on Fort Sumter, April 7, 1863._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD SQUADRON.
Guns.
Weehawken 2
Passaic 2
Montauk 2
Patapsco 2
New Ironsides 16
Catskill 2
Nantucket 2
Nahant 2
Keokuk 2
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Sumter_, 10 guns, supported by _Fort Moultrie_, 16 guns, and
earthworks adjacent mounting 43 guns.
The squadron went into action at 2 p.m. in line ahead, approaching
Fort Sumter as close as the obstructions would permit (from 500 to
1000 yards), and opened fire. The action lasted two hours, when the
fleet withdrew, not having silenced the fort. The Weehawken was hit 53
times, the side-armor being completely shattered in places, the deck
broken through once, 36 turret-bolts broken, and at one time the turret
was jammed. The Passaic was hit 35 times; her turret was disabled for
a time, and one turret-gun was completely disabled; the pilot-house
was knocked almost over. Montauk hit 14 times; no injury. Patapsco
hit 47 times; gun disabled. New Ironsides hit _about_ 50 times; one
port-shutter knocked off, otherwise uninjured. Catskill hit 20 times;
deck broken through. Nantucket hit 51 times; port-stopper jammed,
disabling one gun. Nahant hit 36 times; turret jammed, side-armor
badly shattered. Keokuk (casemated gun-boat) _pierced_ at and below
the water-line 19 times; turrets pierced and port-shutters knocked
away; vessel sank the next day. Casualties: Keokuk, 16 wounded; Nahant,
1 killed, 6 wounded; all by broken bolts flying in the turret or
pilot-house.
_Attack on Fort Sumter, August 22 and September 1, 1863._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD SQUADRON.
Guns.
Weehawken 2
Montauk 2
Nahant 2
Passaic 2
Patapsco 2
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Sumter_, supported by _Fort Moultrie_.
Squadron went into action at 3 a.m. within 800 yards of Sumter, keeping
up a steady fire for three hours. Only six shots fired from Sumter in
return, but a heavy fire kept up from Moultrie. Fleet drew out, not
having drawn the fire of Sumter. On the night of September 1st the
squadron moved in again and bombarded Sumter for five hours. The fort
was almost dismantled, but still kept its garrison. Fort Moultrie
responded to the fire. The fleet withdrew, not having driven the
garrison from the fort.
_Bombardment of Mississippi Forts, April 18 to April 28, 1862._
FEDERAL.
Twenty mortar-schooners, each armed with a single mortar. For about one
hour and a half the forts were under the fire of Admiral Farragut’s
fleet of 17 vessels, mounting 188 guns.
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Jackson._—A masonry fort on the right bank of the Mississippi,
mounting 75 guns. _Fort St. Philip._—A masonry fort on the left bank of
the river, nearly opposite Fort Jackson, mounting 30 guns.
On the morning of April 18th the mortar-schooners were towed into
position in three divisions. The first and third (14 vessels) were
moored near the right bank of the river at a bend below Fort Jackson,
within 2800 yards of it, and protected by a thick wood, the mast-heads
of the schooners being trimmed with branches to conceal their exact
position. The second division was moored near the left bank of the
river, more exposed and 3700 yards from Fort Jackson. About 1 p.m. fire
was opened from all the mortars on Fort Jackson, and continued without
interruption until sunset. One mortar only was directed against Fort
St. Philip. At the end of the first day’s bombardment two guns had been
dismounted and a third heavy rifle broken in two in Fort St. Philip.
The citadel of Fort Jackson was set on fire. On the evening of the
18th the second division was transferred to the right bank, the left
one being too much exposed. On the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d the
bombardment was continued each day, one mortar-vessel being sunk by
a rifled shot from Fort Jackson on the 19th. On the night of the 23d
and early morning of the 24th an incessant fire was kept up whilst
Admiral Farragut’s fleet was passing the forts. On the 25th, 26th, and
part of the 27th the bombardment continued, and on the 28th both forts
capitulated. Fort Jackson was reduced almost to a ruin, over 800 bombs
having fallen in it. Several guns were dismounted and the casemates
were cracked through in all directions. Fort St. Philip was not much
injured, its fall being a necessary consequence of that of Fort Jackson.
RÉSUMÉ.
Total number of masonry attacks noted, 4. Successful, 1. Failures, 3.
Fort Sumter was, by repeated bombardments for two years, reduced nearly
to a total ruin, but was not abandoned until Charleston was captured
by General Sherman. Fort Moultrie never was silenced until it was
abandoned. Fort Jackson refused to surrender after six days’ constant
bombardment by a mortar fleet and an hour’s bombardment from a passing
fleet at from 60 to 300 yards, only capitulating at a second summons,
when the capture of New Orleans destroyed the last chance of relief.
PASSAGES OF FORTS.
_Passage of Fortifications below New Orleans, April 24, 1862._
FEDERAL.
WOODEN FLEETS.—FIRST DIVISION.
Guns.
Hartford 28
Brooklyn 26
Richmond 25
Sciota 3
Iroquois 7
Kennebec 4
Pinola 4
Itasca 4
Winona 4
SECOND DIVISION.
Pensacola 26
Mississippi 19
Cayuga 6
Oneida 10
Varuna 6
Katahdin 6
Kineo 6
Wissahickon 4
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Jackson_, 75 guns. _Fort St. Philip_, 30 guns. Above the forts,
two iron-clad rams and eighteen gun-boats. Below the forts, a heavy
boom of logs and chain across the river. The river current to be
stemmed runs at a speed of about six to seven knots.
On the night of the 22d, two gun-boats were sent up to break the
obstructions. The end of the chain was reached and successfully cut
under a heavy fire, making an opening wide enough to allow vessels
to pass. At 2 a.m. of the 24th the fleet got under way, forming two
lines, the first division to take Fort Jackson, and the second Fort
St. Philip. The chains were stopped up and down the sides in wake of
the boilers; decks were whitewashed and boarding-nettings triced up.
Coming under the fire of the forts, the fines were broken owing to the
strength of the current and the necessity for feeling the way up in the
channel, there being no pilots. The Hartford grounded abreast Fort St.
Philip, and whilst in this position a fire-raft was pushed against her,
setting her on fire aft. The raft was pushed clear, fire extinguished,
and the ship was worked off the shoal. She was hit 32 times; 3 killed,
10 wounded. The Brooklyn fouled the obstructions, and was held for
a short time under the fire of Fort St. Philip. Clearing these, she
was rammed by the ram Manassas, but the blow was a glancing one.
Immediately afterward a gun-boat was seen coming at her full speed.
The Brooklyn gave her the port broadside, and disabled her: killed,
9; wounded, 26. Richmond, killed, 2; wounded, 4. Sciota, wounded, 2.
Iroquois, killed, 8; wounded, 24. Kennebec fouled the obstructions,
and did not get clear until the fleet had passed up; returned to the
lower anchorage. Pinola, killed, 3; wounded, 8. Itasca received a shot
through her boiler abreast the forts, and drifted down helpless out
of action; wounded, 3. The Winona was fouled by the Itasca in getting
under way, and did not make the attempt until the fleet had passed,
when she was obliged to turn back: killed, 6; wounded, 4. Pensacola,
killed, 4; wounded, 33. Mississippi, just after passing the forts, was
rammed on the quarter by the Manassas, injured, but not cut through:
killed, 2; wounded, 6. Cayuga—the leading vessel in the fight—after
passing the forts was attacked by three gun-boats at once: one on the
starboard beam she disabled by a broadside; one on the port-bow was
driven off by the bow-pivot; one on the port-quarter was taken in hand
by the Varuna before she could do harm: wounded, 6. Oneida, just after
passing the forts, discovered a gun-boat trying to cross her bow; ran
her down and sank her at once: wounded, 3. Varuna, after passing the
forts, disabled two gun-boats; was then rammed twice by one gun-boat,
and once by another; finding her sinking, her commander ran her ashore,
disabling completely both the gun-boats that had rammed him: killed,
3; wounded, 9. Katahdin, uninjured. Kineo, wounded, 8. Wissahickon,
uninjured. Total: killed, 37; wounded, 147. The Mississippi, after
clearing the fight, was ordered to ram the Manassas, which was seen
coming up the river. Running down towards her, the Manassas sheered
broad off and ran ashore, receiving two broadsides, which disabled
her and set her on fire. She drifted down the river and blew up.
Fourteen vessels out of seventeen passed the forts. Of those failing
to pass, one was disabled. Of those that passed, one was sunk. Of the
Confederate flotilla eleven were captured, and eight—including the ram
Manassas—were destroyed. The second ram (Louisiana) did not engage for
some reason. Two days afterward, while the flag of truce was flying at
the capitulation of the forts, she was set on fire and turned adrift to
explode amongst the mortar squadron. She blew up before reaching it.
The fleet that passed the forts went into action on the next day
(25th), silenced a line of earthworks, and passing up to New Orleans
received its surrender.
_Passage of Forts, Mississippi River, June 28, 1862._
FEDERAL.
Guns.
Richmond 25
Hartford 28
Brooklyn 26
Iroquois 7
Oneida 10
Wissahickon 4
Sciota 3
Winona 4
Pinola 4
Katahdin 6
Kennebec 4
CONFEDERATE.
Triple line of earthworks at Vicksburg, mounting about 30 guns.
At 4 a.m. the squadron, steaming up the river in double line ahead
(large ships inside with the smaller ones abreast the intervals),
came under the fire of the enemy at a distance of 600 yards. The rate
of steaming was about three miles per hour. Three ships (Brooklyn,
Kennebec, and Katahdin) failed to pass. The Brooklyn, getting fouled
with the mortar flotilla, was detained, and under a misapprehension of
orders stopped to silence the battery, and dropped down after daylight.
The Kennebec held her position astern of the Brooklyn. The Katahdin,
having no orders at all, followed the motions of the Brooklyn.
Casualties in the part of the squadron which passed: killed, 15;
wounded, 30. Duration, two hours; distance gone while under fire, three
miles.
_Passage of Forts, Mississippi River, March 14, 1863._
FEDERAL.
WOODEN SQUADRON.
Guns.
Hartford 28
Richmond 25
Monongahela 14
Mississippi 19
Albatross 7
Genesee 8
Kineo 6
CONFEDERATE.
_Earthworks at Port Hudson._—A line of earthworks extending at
intervals a distance of about three miles, and mounting 70 guns, most
all of heavy calibre.
At 9 p.m. of the 24th, signal was made to weigh anchor and pass the
forts up-stream. The vessels except the Mississippi were lashed in
pairs (Hartford and Albatross, Richmond and Genesee, Monongahela and
Kineo). The mortar fleet below the forts opened a heavy fire on the
works, and two light gun-boats took up an enfilading position and
shelled the water-batteries. The Hartford passed up without trouble.
The Richmond (slowest vessel in the squadron) reached a bend of the
river where she was directly within the cross-fire of the batteries,
but could not stem the current even with the help of her tow, so she
was obliged to turn and go back. The Monongahela reached the bend
and the current forced her ashore for about half an hour; getting
off finally she started ahead, but was obliged to stop her engine on
account of the heating of the journals; drifted down again out of
range. The Mississippi ran aground at the bend, but could not be gotten
off. After working for half an hour, her guns were spiked, the ship was
fired and deserted, and she blew up. Casualties: killed, 12; wounded,
35; missing, 63. One steam frigate lost.
_Passage of Fort Morgan, August 5, 1864._
FEDERAL.
MONITORS.
Guns.
Tecumseh 2
Manhattan 2
Winnebago 4
Chickasaw 4
CORVETTES.
Brooklyn 26
Hartford 28
Richmond 25
Lackawanna 14
Monongahela 14
Ossipee 12
Oneida 10
GUN-BOATS.
Octarora 10
Metacomet 10
Port Royal 6
Seminole 6
Kennebec 4
Itasca 4
Galena 6
CONFEDERATE.
_Fort Morgan._—A masonry fort containing 30 guns. Iron-clad ram
Tennessee (six 7-inch rifles). Gun-boats Selma, Morgan, and Gaines. A
line of torpedoes and pile obstructions across the channel.
[Illustration: Before the Action.]
[Illustration: After the Action.]
[Illustration: Section through Pilot-House.
CONFEDERATE RAM TENNESSEE.]
At 5.30 a.m. the fleet got under way and steamed in in two lines ahead,
the four monitors in the starboard line slightly leading and nearest
the fort. The port line of wooden ships showed the corvettes towards
the fort, with each one having a gun-boat lasted along the port side.
The fort opened fire at 7.30, the leading ship (Tecumseh) being within
1400 yards. Just abreast the fort the Tecumseh fouled a torpedo and
was sunk. The Brooklyn (leading the second line) stopped her engines
and threw the line into disorder, but the Hartford pushing on ahead
restored the line and led the way in, all the ships passing the fort.
On clearing the narrow channel, the gun-boats were cast off and gave
chase to the Confederate gun-boats, the Metacomet capturing the Selma,
the other two vessels escaping under the fort. At 8.45 the fleet was
all in the bay beyond the fort. The Tennessee then made a rush at the
Hartford, and Admiral Farragut made the signal to attack with guns and
rams. The Monongahela struck the ram first, a square blow, making no
impression, but breaking off its own ram. The Lackawanna then struck
a fair blow with no impression, but staving its own bow. The Hartford
then rammed, striking a glancing blow and swinging alongside, giving a
full broadside without effect. The Lackawanna and Hartford then bore
down together but collided, the Hartford’s side being cut down almost
to the water’s edge by the Lackawanna. The Lackawanna, Monongahela,
and Ossipee then bore down at full speed, but sheered off at seeing a
white flag hoisted. During the ramming, the monitors got under the
stern of the ram and bombarded her casemate with effect. Casualties:
killed, 52; wounded, 170. Monitor Tecumseh sunk with all hands except
11. Corvette Oneida disabled abreast the fort by a shot through the
boiler, but dragged through the action by her consort. The injuries
to the bows of the ramming ships and to the Hartford’s side were not
so severe as to at all disable them. Captured, armored ram Tennessee,
wooden gun-boat Selma, 280 prisoners. The steering-gear and smoke-stack
of the ram were shot away, the port-shutters were jammed so as to
disable the guns, and the ship’s frame was racked so as to make her
leak, but not badly. The ramming vessels left no marks.
_Passage of the Vicksburg Batteries, April 16, 1863._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Benton 16
Lafayette 6
Louisville 13
Mound City 13
Pittsburg 13
Carondelet 13
Tuscumbia 5
General Price 2
Three army transports.
CONFEDERATE.
_Vicksburg Batteries_.—47 heavy guns.
The vessels started from up the river in line ahead, with the
transports in rear, the Tuscumbia acting as rear-guard to prevent the
transports turning back when once under fire. Leaving the anchorage at
10.30 p.m., they steamed slowly down until coming within sight of the
batteries, when they stopped their engines and drifted. The leading
vessel was discovered abreast the first battery and fire was opened.
The fleet then started ahead fast returning the fire. Two transports
turned and started back, but were driven down again by the Tuscumbia,
the three vessels suffering severely in the manœuvring, but passing
down successfully. Casualties, 12 wounded. Each gun-boat carried a
barge-loaded with coal, on the off side. Two barges were sunk, the
remainder were carried through safely. One of the transports was
disabled, but was taken in tow under fire and brought safely through.
Time under fire, one hour.
RÉSUMÉ.
Total number of battles passing fortifications, 5. Successful, 3.
Partially successful, 2. Of the latter, one failed on account of a
misunderstanding of orders, and one on account of the strength of
current rendering the ships unmanageable. In all cases the ships passed
the main line of fortifications at a distance of less than 600 yards,
and all were subjected to a severe well-aimed fire.
ASSAULTS.
_Assault on Fort Sumter, September 8, 1863._
At 10 p.m., September 8th, a landing party of 300 sailors and 100
marines was put in boats, taken in tow by a tug-boat, and towed to
within 1000 yards of the breach at Fort Sumter. One division of 20 men
was sent to the north-east face to make a feint, while the main body
landed at the breach. Through a general misunderstanding the boats
went in irregularly, but a few boats’ crews landed, and, no support
being given, they were captured. The expedition was a total failure, no
assault being made. Casualties: 3 killed, 27 wounded, 130 prisoners, 11
missing.
_Assault on Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865._
The assaulting column, composed of 1600 sailors and 400 marines, formed
about a mile from the face of the fort (the fire of the fort being
kept under by a heavy bombardment from the fleet) in four lines. The,
marines forming the first line, were deployed as skirmishers, and
advanced along the beach to a line of rifle-pits and occupied them
within 600 yards of the sea-face of the fort. The other three lines
advanced by the left flank (parallel to each other) along the beach,
reaching the marines, and the column lay down while the fleet shelled
the works, the marine line coming abreast the second line of sailors.
At the word “Charge,” the column rose and charged by the flank to
the stockade, extending from the salient of the fort to the water’s
edge. Instead of keeping on past the stockade and then charging by
the right flank up to the ditch, which would have brought the lines
in proper position, the heads of the column turned up at the stockade
and became mixed together. The charge was continued to the parapet,
but the confusion of the wrong movement caused a break, ending in a
panic, and the whole column retreated under a heavy fire from the fort,
leaving about 60 men under the protection of the head of the stockade,
who entrenched themselves there and stayed until the fort was taken
by the troops entering at the other end of the fort. The assault was
a failure in everything except as far as deceiving the besieged, who
mistook it for the main assault, and thus permitted the 8000 troops at
another point to gain a foothold. Casualties: killed, 80; wounded, 228;
missing, 22.
_Assault on the Corean Forts, June 11, 1871._
The Monocacy (10 guns) and Palos (4 guns) steamed up the Salée River
and disembarked a landing party of 546 sailors and 105 marines,
taking with them a battery of seven boat-guns. Five forts were to be
captured, situated at distances of from half a mile to three miles.
The Monocacy, taking position abreast the first fort, shelled it
vigorously, protecting the landing party and driving the Coreans from
the earthworks and stone fort in about one hour. The landing party
entered without resistance, capturing and destroying two 32-pdrs.,
six 18-pdrs., and twenty smaller pieces, 2 and 4 pdrs. The advance
stopped for the night, the landing party going into camp outside
of the fort. At daylight of the 11th the advance recommenced, the
Monocacy keeping abreast and shelling the Coreans out of the second
fort, which was occupied and dismantled. The citadel about three miles
farther up the river was the next point to be captured, and had to be
taken by assault. Marching to the crest of a hill within 150 yards of
the citadel, the storming party were ordered to lie down for a rest,
the skirmishing line of marines keeping up a fire on the parapet. A
detachment of men and guns was sent to occupy a commanding position and
hold a large body of Coreans in check that was forming in rear, while
another detachment was sent to cut off the retreat from the citadel. A
deep ravine lay between the storming line and the fort, and the walls
of the citadel were twelve feet high, the only entrance being through a
small breach made by the fire of the Monocacy. The citadel was stormed,
and a foothold gained without a halt, and after a hard hand-to-hand
fight, was captured. With the fall of the citadel the other forts were
abandoned, whilst the detachment commanding the road of retreat of
the Coreans put them under a severe fire. The assault was a complete
success. Loss of the Coreans: killed, 243; wounded, unknown; prisoners,
22; five stone forts and 481 pieces of ordnance, comprising eleven
32-pdrs., fourteen 24-pdrs., two 20-pdrs., and the remainder 2 and 4
pdrs.; fifty flags, including the standard of the Generalissimo. Loss
of United States: killed, 3; wounded, 10.
RÉSUMÉ.
Number of assaults noted, 3. Failures, 2. Success, 1. Of the failures,
the first was too hastily planned to even make a commencement.
Everything was confusion from the time that the boats were cast off
from their tows. The second was primarily due to confusion of the
assaulting columns at the most critical moment, followed by a panic.
DELIBERATE GENERAL ACTIONS.
_Gun-boat Flotillas in the Mississippi, June 5, 1862._
FEDERAL.
IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Benton 13
Louisville 13
Carondelet 13
Cairo 13
St. Louis 13
RAMS.
Queen of the West 2
Monarch 2
CONFEDERATE.
IRON-CLAD GUN-BOATS.
Guns.
Lovell
Beauregard
Price
Thompson
Little Rebel
Sumter
Bragg
Van Dorn
On the morning of June 5th, the Federal flotilla descending the river
discovered the Confederate flotilla moored at the city of Memphis. The
latter formed in double line abreast below the city, and received the
attack. The Queen of the West, dashing from the Federal line, rammed
the Lovell and sank her at once. In getting clear she was rammed by the
Beauregard and seriously injured, though not disabled. The Beauregard
was rammed by the Monarch, and at the same time received a shot through
her boilers which disabled her; she drifted near the bank of the
river and sank. The Price was accidentally rammed and sunk by one of
her own flotilla. The Little Rebel was disabled by shot, run ashore
and abandoned. The Thompson was set on fire by shells and blown up.
The Sumter was captured. The Bragg was rammed and sunk. The Van Dorn
escaped down the river. Result: one Federal ram partially disabled; no
killed, no wounded. Four Confederate gun-boats sunk, one captured, one
blown up, one deserted, and one escaped. Killed and wounded unknown,
but many lost by drowning and scalding. Duration of action, twenty
minutes.
In this fight the Federal fleet had the advantage of fighting down
stream, being the ones to make the onset, and having the heavier
vessels and batteries. The Confederates took no advantage of the weak
steaming powers of the Federal gun-boats. Had they passed up stream,
re-formed, and forced the Federals to act on the defensive and fight up
stream, the result might have been different. Decisive action.
_Battle of Helgoland, May 9, 1864._
DANISH SQUADRON.
Guns.
Niels Juel 42
Jylland 44
Heimdal 16
AUSTRIAN SQUADRON.
Guns.
Schwartzenburg 48
Radetzky 31
Three Prussian gun-boats.
The two squadrons advanced in line ahead, the Danes coming up on
the beam of the Austrians. The Niels Juel joined action with the
Schwartzenburg, and the Jylland with the Radetzky, the Heimdal
attempting to reach the gun-boats, which steamed up on the unengaged
side of the frigates, causing the latter to steam in a circle. The
action was fought in this manner, steaming in a circle of which
the gun-boats were the centre and the Danes 600 yards outside the
Austrians, the Heimdal joining in the attack on the Radetzky. After
three hours, the Schwartzenburg was set on fire and the Austrians ran
for Helgoland, the Danes hauling off at the neutral-ground limit.
Indecisive action.
_Battle of Lissa, July 20, 1866._
AUSTRIAN FLEET.
IRON-CLAD FRIGATES.
Ferdinand Max.
Hapsburg.
Don Juan d’Austria.
Kaiser Max.
Prinz Eugen.
Salamander.
Drache.
WOODEN SQUADRON.
Five frigates.
One corvette.
Fourteen gun-boats.
ITALIAN IRON-CLAD FLEET.
Re d’Italia.
Re di Portugalo.
Principe di Carignano.
Ancona.
Castelfidardo.
Maria Pia.
San Martino.
Affondatore.
Palestro.
Varese, Terribile, and Formidabile not in action.
Wooden fleet did not come up.
The Austrians advanced in three echelonned lines ahead, the Ferdinand
Max (flag-ship) leading the right and advanced iron-clad line. The
wooden frigates formed the centre line, and the gun-boats the left
and rear. All in close order. The Italians on sighting the Austrian
fleet formed in single line ahead, open order, covering a distance of
over five miles. The head of the Italian line opened fire on coming
within gunshot. The Austrians, turning together eight points to port,
sent a broadside into the head of the Italian line and, resuming the
former course, immediately pierced the Italian line astern of the
third ship (between the Ancona and the Re d’Italia), half of his
iron-clads passing through this interval and the other half between the
Re d’Italia and the Palestro. The leading Italian division turned to
starboard to attack the Austrian wooden fleet, and Tegethoff to foil
this manœuvre turned and passed back through the same intervals. The
rest of the Italian fleet closing up on the broken Austrian line, and
the smoke concealing signals, the action became a mêlée. The Ferdinand
Max made two attempts to ram two different vessels, both being avoided
by the helm. A third attempt on the Re d’Italia was successful,
striking her under the counter and sinking her. At the time, the Re
was engaged with three Austrians on his bow and beam. The Italians
state that his steering-gear was shot away; the Austrians, that he was
backing.
Three Austrians (two iron-clads and one wooden frigate) concentrated
on the Palestro and set her on fire; she drew out of action and
blew up in about an hour. The San Martino, fighting in company with
the Re d’Italia, hauled out of action when the latter was sunk. The
Affondatore (flag-ship) made two ineffectual attempts to ram, but
her clumsy steering-gear and slow speed made the attempts abortive.
The Re di Portugalo made a fine attempt to ram the Kaiser Max, which
the latter avoided by turning _towards_ the Portugalo and going full
speed, the ships rubbing sides, bringing down the Kaiser’s fore-mast,
which fell on the smoke-stack and caught fire but was extinguished.
The Portugalo then ran the gauntlet of the two iron-clad divisions,
reaching her own line, and the Italian fleet hauled out of action, the
Austrians not chasing. The Italian loss was two iron-clads; killed,
650; wounded, 40. Austrians, 136 killed and wounded, of whom three
quarters belonged to the Kaiser Max. Partial success.
DASHES.
_Passes of the Mississippi, October 12, 1861._
At 4 a.m. the Confederate ram Manassas steamed suddenly into the
Federal squadron at anchor in the Passes below New Orleans—
Guns.
Richmond 25
Water Witch 3
Union 4
SAILING CORVETTES.
Vincennes 10
Preble 11
striking the Richmond a glancing blow. Chains were slipped at once, and
the Richmond avoided a second blow by sheering. The ram passed back
up the river. On the Confederate side the dash was a failure. On the
Federal side the Vincennes was run ashore, deserted, and accident only
saved the vessel, a train having been laid to her magazine and fired by
Commander Handy. The train is said to have been put out by one of the
crew before leaving, and the ship was hauled off after daylight.
_Mississippi River, above Vicksburg, July 15, 1862._
At about 7 a.m. the Confederate ram Arkansas made a dash down the river
through the Federal squadron lying at anchor.
Guns.
Hartford 28
Richmond 25
Oneida 10
Iroquois 7
Wissahickon 4
Winona 4
Sciota 4
As she passed through without attempting to ram, broadsides were
exchanged. The Arkansas was disabled, but not caught. Federal loss:
killed, 5; wounded, 16.
_Charleston Blockading Fleet, February 2, 1863._
At about 4 a.m. a Confederate iron-clad ram made a dash from the harbor
into the blockading squadron.
Guns.
Keystone State 13
Housatonic 13
Quaker City 9
Augusta 10
Mercedita 9
Memphis 7
Running at the Mercedita, she rammed her on the starboard beam, and
at the same time put a shot through her boiler, completely disabling
her. The ram then passed under her stern, demanded and received her
surrender, but did not take possession, the crew being paroled. The
Keystone State was then attacked, but avoided being rammed, although
she received a shot through her boilers, completely disabling her. The
ram then retired. Attack successful. Federal loss: killed, 24; wounded,
23; one crew paroled, two vessels disabled. Duration of attack, one
hour.
IRON-CLADS AGAINST WOODEN VESSELS.
_Hampton Roads, March 8, 1862._
On the morning of March 8th the Confederate ram Merrimac entered
Hampton Roads, where were lying at anchor the
STEAM FRIGATES.
Guns.
Minnesota 50
Roanoke 50
SAILING FRIGATES.
Congress 50
Cumberland 24
St. Lawrence 12
Running directly at the Cumberland, the ram struck her under the
counter, sinking her in fifteen minutes. Turning to the Congress, which
had slipped her cable and run ashore, the ram took a position under her
stern at 50 yards distance, and forced her to surrender after a fight
of an hour. Possession was not taken of her, and the ship was fired
and deserted, blowing up in a few hours. The Minnesota having grounded
where the Merrimac could not get at her, these two engaged at long
range, the Roanoke and St. Lawrence taking part for about four hours,
when the Merrimac drew out of action leaking badly from the effects of
ramming the Cumberland. Federal loss: 2 sailing frigates; killed, 247;
wounded, 90.
_Roanoke River, April 18, 1864._
At 11 p.m. of the 18th the Confederate ram Albemarle was discovered
coming down the Roanoke River. In obedience to previous instructions
from the Admiral, the two gun-boats present (Miami, 12 guns, and
Southfield, 4 guns) were lashed alongside each other to receive the
attack, the intention being to put the ram between the two vessels,
and while held by lashings fight her at point-blank on both sides.
After lashing, the gun-boats were headed for the Albemarle, going full
speed. The arrangement was perfect for a _test_ of the plan. The ram
scraping the port side of the Miami with her prow, struck the starboard
bow of the Southfield, staving her in forward; the forward lashings
were broken, and the gun-boats swung out of the angle of fire after
giving but one broadside. The ram backed clear to get room for a blow
at the Miami, but the latter, having swung head down stream, escaped.
The Southfield sank in about fifteen minutes. Federal loss: killed, 1;
wounded, 11; missing, 67; 1 gun-boat sunk.
_Albemarle Sound, May 5, 1864._
The squadron blockading Albemarle Sound had received orders that in
case the ram Albemarle appeared, the vessels were to form in double
line ahead.
Guns.
Miami 12
Ceres 4
Commodore Hull 6
Seymour 4
Mattabesset 6
Sassacus 6
Wyalusing 4
Whitehead 4
At 4.45 p.m. the Albemarle was sighted coming into the sound
accompanied by two small gun-boats. The squadron formed and steamed
to meet her, the Mattabesset and Sassacus delivering a broadside in
passing at 100 yards. The ram attempted to run the Sassacus down, but
the latter avoided her, being thrown out of the line in the manœuvre.
Being in the vicinity of one of the Confederate gun-boats, the Sassacus
gave her a broadside, received her surrender, and sent her out of
action to an anchorage. Turning to resume her place in line, the
Sassacus found herself in position to ram the Albemarle, and went at
her full speed, striking her fairly amidships, and heeling her over
considerably. The two vessels were in close contact for about ten
minutes, when the Sassacus swung alongside and received a shot through
her boilers, partially disabling her. The ram getting clear drew out
of action and steamed up the river, chased for some distance by the
squadron. Casualties on the Federal side: killed, 4; wounded, 25; 1
gun-boat disabled. Confederates: 1 gun-boat captured; 1 gun on the ram
disabled. The bow of the Sassacus was somewhat broken and twisted, but
not sufficient to leak.
_Black Sea, July 23, 1877._
On the morning of the 23d the Russian gun-boat Vesta (6 guns), cruising
in the sea, made out black smoke on the horizon at early daylight, and
steamed towards it. When within less than two miles she discovered
it to be the Turkish iron-clad frigate Assav-i-Tefvik (14 guns), and
turned to escape; a running fight ensued, lasting for two hours, the
Turk slowly overhauling the Vesta. When within about half a mile, a
shell from the Vesta exploded in the barbette turret of the Turk,
disabling its gun, killing and wounding most of the crew. The latter
then hauled on and the Vesta escaped. Action indecisive. Killed and
wounded about equal on both sides.
_Off Ylo, Peru, May 29, 1877._
The Peruvian iron-clad Huascar, having been taken possession of by a
party of insurgents, and having committed depredations against British
commercial vessels, was attacked off Iquique by the British frigate
Shah and the corvette Amethyst. The Huascar running into shoal water
prevented the close approach of the enemy, and the action was continued
for about three hours, during which time neither of the British vessels
was struck and no notable damage had been done to the Huascar. Just
before dark the Huascar cleared the shoals and ran down the coast
followed by the British until dark. One Whitehead torpedo was sent at
her, but ineffectually.
After dark a launch was sent into the bay of Ylo with Whitehead
torpedoes for the purpose of sinking the vessel, but she had escaped.
Action indecisive. Casualties: Peruvian, killed, 1; wounded, 1.
British, none. Neither vessel injured sufficiently to affect her
fighting power. The Huascar was manned by a raw crew, causing her fire
to be entirely ineffective.
_Iquique Harbor, May 21, 1879._
The Peruvian iron-clads Independencia and Huascar appeared off Iquique
Harbor on the morning of May 21st, finding there the Chilian gun-boats
Esmeralda and Covadonga. The latter on discovering the enemy ran into
shoal water, the iron-clads taking a position about 2000 yards away.
After a short action, the Covadonga (apparently with the intention of
dividing the fire and possibly escaping) attempted to run down the
coast, the Independencia giving chase. The Huascar continued to engage
the Esmeralda, and notwithstanding the short range, failed to hit her.
At length a shore battery drove the Esmeralda into deep water, and
before she could commence to manœuvre a shot from the Huascar disabled
her engines. The Huascar then rammed her three times, the first two
blows being total failures on account of stopping the ship too quick.
The third was a success, sinking the Esmeralda with her colors flying.
The Covadonga, keeping in shoal water as much as possible, ran for two
hours, the Independencia making three attempts to ram her and failing.
At the fourth attempt the ship was missed, and the Independencia
struck a rock and hung fast. The Covadonga at once turned, and taking
a position under the Peruvian’s stern, opened fire on him and forced
him to surrender. The Huascar appearing at this time, possession could
not be taken, and the Covadonga escaped. Attempts to haul the Peruvian
off the rocks proving unavailing, she was fired and burned. In this
action the Chilians lost the greatest number of men owing to the
sinking of the Esmeralda, but the loss of the Independencia more than
counterbalanced it.
DUELS.
_Monitor and Merrimac, March 9, 1862._
On the morning of the 9th the Merrimac steamed into Hampton Roads to
finish the destruction of the wooden squadron which she had attacked
the day previous (see page 166). The Monitor having arrived during the
night steamed out to meet her after she had approached within gunshot
of the Minnesota. After a short engagement at a distance of 200 yards,
the Merrimac attempted to ram or force a surrender of the Minnesota,
in doing which she ran ashore, and was for a short time exposed to
the full broadside fire of the frigate. Getting clear, she again
turned to the Monitor, and attempted to ram her, striking a slight
ineffectual blow. The Merrimac kept on down the channel, the Monitor
chasing for some distance, but hauling out of action when she found
her speed and artillery power not sufficient to bring the Merrimac to
terms. Casualties on the Monitor, 1 wounded, 2 temporarily disabled by
the shock of the projectiles striking the turret against which they
happened to be leaning. Action indecisive.
_Alabama and Hatteras, January 11, 1863._
The Hatteras (6 guns) proceeding to blockade duty off Galveston went
in chase of a sail on the morning of the 11th, and running close to
her, stopped and hailed. The answer returned was “Her Majesty’s Steamer
Vixen.” The Hatteras then lowered a boat and sent it alongside. Before
the boat was fairly started the hail came, “We are the Confederate
steamer Alabama,” accompanied by a broadside. The fire was returned at
once, and the Hatteras attempted to close and board, but could not.
In about five minutes she had been set on fire by one shell and her
boiler was pierced by another. The Alabama then took a position under
her stern, and in a few minutes forced her to surrender, the crew being
transferred to the Alabama, and the Hatteras left to burn and blow up.
Casualties: on the Hatteras, killed, 2; wounded, 5. Action decisive.
(For fighting power of ships, see page 172.)
_Weehawken and Atlanta, June 17, 1863._
At early daylight the Confederate ram Atlanta was seen coming down
the Wilmington River, and the Federal monitors Weehawken and Nahant
steamed in to meet her. The Atlanta opened fire at 1500 yards, and
a few moments afterwards grounded. The Weehawken approaching within
300 yards opened fire, and forced the surrender of the ram in fifteen
minutes. Five shots were fired by the Weehawken, all striking and three
penetrating the ram, killing and wounding many people at the guns. The
ram was taken possession of and sent in as a prize. Action decisive.
_Kearsarge and Alabama, June 19, 1864._
The Alabama steamed out of Cherbourg Harbor on the morning of the
19th to meet the Kearsarge in accordance with a challenge sent out
two days before. The Kearsarge, steaming out clear of neutral water,
turned when at a good distance and headed for the Alabama. The action
commenced at 1200 yards, the Alabama sending the first broadside, which
was immediately returned by the Kearsarge. The action continued for 65
minutes at a distance of 900 yards, the two ships steaming in a circle.
At the end of this time the Alabama surrendered, and in about twenty
minutes after sunk. Action decisive.
_Fighting Powers of the Hatteras, Alabama, and Kearsarge._
-----------------+------------------------+-------------------------
HATTERAS. | ALABAMA | KEARSARGE.
-----------------+------------------------+-------------------------
Battery. | Battery. | Battery.
I 20-pdr. rifle.| I 100-pdr. rifle. | I 30-pdr. rifle.
I 30-pdr. ” | I 68-pdr. ” | II 11-inch smooth-bores.
IV 32-pdr. | IV 32-pdr. | IV 32-pdr. ”
smooth-bores. | smooth-bores. |
| |
Battery Fought. | Battery Fought. | Battery Fought.
II rifles, | II rifles, | I rifle, II 11-inch,
II 32-pdrs. | III smooth-bores. | II 32-pdrs.
| |
Crew, 125 men. | Crew, about 170 men. | Crew, 163 men.
-----------------+------------------------+-------------------------
_Meteor and Bouvet, November 9, 1870._
On the morning of November 8th the French gun-boat Bouvet (5 guns)
steamed out of Havana and beyond the neutral limit to wait for the
Prussian gun-boat Meteor (3 guns) to come out in answer to a challenge.
The Meteor, after waiting in port twenty-four hours as prescribed by
law for the sailing of belligerent vessels, steamed out, and the action
commenced about two miles outside of the neutral limit, the Bouvet
firing the first gun. After a few manœuvres the Bouvet closed with the
intention of ramming, and was partially avoided, striking a glancing
blow abeam and slipping along, carrying away the Prussian’s main and
mizzen masts, the rigging fouling the Meteor’s screw. In return, the
Meteor put a shot through the Bouvet’s steam-chest, partially disabling
her. The latter made sail at once and escaped into neutral water, the
Meteor keeping up a fire but unable for a time to chase owing to the
fouled screw. Action indecisive on account of the proximity of neutral
water. Casualties: Bouvet, 3 wounded. Meteor, 3 killed; 1 wounded.
Duration of action, less than one hour.
RÉSUMÉ.
Number of duels noted, 5. Decisive, 3. Indecisive, 2. Of the indecisive
fights, one was due to lack of speed for overhauling the opponent
and continuing the action; the other to the temporary disability of
fouling the screw and the proximity of neutral water. In the decisive
actions, two were decided by sinking, although in both cases the ship
surrendered first.
_Action off Point Tetas, October 8, 1879._
At daylight on the 8th the Chilian iron-clad corvette Blanco Encalada
sighted the Peruvian iron-clad turret-ship Huascar, and gave chase. The
Huascar, running to the northward, and slowly distancing the Blanco,
was headed by the Chilian iron-clad corvette Almirante Cochrane. These
two ships then engaged, and in about half an hour the Blanco closed
and opened on the Huascar, placing her between two fires. After an
action of one hour and a half the Huascar surrendered, having been much
cut up, and having lost her three senior officers. Casualties: Blanco
Encalada, none. Almirante Cochrane, 2 killed, 10 wounded.
NOTE.—After careful research it has been found that in every case cited
in which boilers were penetrated by projectiles, the part of the boiler
hit was _above the water-line_.