Navy Department
Bureau of Yards and Docks, September 16, 1862
Sir:
The undersigned, constituting a board
appointed by your order of the 8th ultimo, proceeded to the
duty assigned to them, in accordance with the first section
of an act of Congress, approved 3d of August 1861, directing
the Secretary of the Navy "to appoint a board of three
skillful naval officers to investigate the plans and specifications
that may be submitted for the construction or completing of
iron-clad steamships or steam batteries to be built; and there
is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated, the sum of one million five hundred
thousand dollars."
Distrustful of our ability to discharge
this duty, which the law requires should be performed by three
skillful naval officers, we approach the subject with diffidence,
having no experience and but scanty knowledge in this branch
of naval architecture.
Application was made to the department
for a naval constructor, to be placed under our orders, with
whom we might consult; but it appears that they are all so employed
on important service that none could be assigned to this duty.
The construction of iron-clad steamships
of war is now zealously claiming the attention of foreign naval
powers. France led off; England followed, and is now somewhat
extensively engaged in the system; and other powers seem to
emulate their example, though on a smaller scale.
Opinions differ amongst naval and scientific
men as to the policy of adopting iron armature for ships-of-war.
For coast and harbor defense they are undoubtedly formidable
adjuncts to fortifications on land. As cruising vessels, however,
we are sceptical as to their advantages and ultimate adoption.
But whilst other nations are endeavoring to perfect them, we
must not remain idle.
The enormous load of iron, as so much
additional weight to the vessel; the great breadth of beam necessary
to give her stability; the short supply of coal she will be
able to stow in bunkers; the greater power required to propel
her and the largely increased cost of construction, are objections
to this class of vessels as cruisers which we believe it is
difficult successfully to overcome. For river and harbor service
we consider iron-clad vessels of light draught, or floating
batteries thus shielded as very important; and we feel at this
moment the necessity of them on some or our rivers and inlets
to enforce obedience to the laws. We, however, do not hesitate
to express the opinion, notwithstanding all we have heard or
seen written on the subject, that no ship or floating battery,
however heavily she may be plated, can cope successfully with
a properly constructed fortification of masonry. The one is
fixed and immovable, and though constructed of a material which
may be battered by shot, can be covered, if need be, by the
same or much heavier armor than a floating vessel can bear,
whilst the other is subject to disturbances by winds and waves,
and to the powerful effects of tides and currents.
Armored ships or batteries may be employed
advantageously to pass fortifications on land for ulterior objects
of attack, or run a blockade, or to reduce temporary batteries
on the shores of rivers and the approaches to our harbors.
From what we know of the comparative
advantages and disadvantages of ships constructed of wood over
those of iron, we are clearly of opinion that no iron-clad vessel
of equal displacement can be made to obtain the same speed as
one not thus encumbered, because her form would be better adapted
to speed. Her form and dimensions, the unyielding nature of
the shield, detract materially in a heavy sea from the life,
buoyancy, and spring which a ship built of wood possesses.
Wooden ships may be said to be but coffins
for their crews when brought in conflict with iron-clad vessels;
but the speed of the former, we take for granted, being greater
than that of the latter, they can readily choose their position,
and keep out of harm's way entirely.
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