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A resource for those interested in the study of America's Civil War
| Tuesday June 25, 1861 |
Confederacy Considers Building an Iron Clad
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, June 25, 1861.
Sir: In obedience to your order, we have carefully examined and
considered the various plans and propositions for constructing a
shot proof steam batter, and respectfully report that, in our
opinion, the steam frigate Merrimac, which is in such condition,
from the effect of fire, as to be useless for any other purpose,
without incurring a very heavy expense in her rebuilding, can be
made an efficient vessel of that character, mounting ten heavy
guns - two pivot and eight side guns of her original battery. And,
from the further consideration, that we cannot procure a suitable
engine and boilers for any other vessel without building them,
which would occupy too much time; it would appear that this is our
only chance to get a suitable vessel in a short time.
The bottom of the hull, boilers and heavy and costly parts of the
engine being but little injured, reduce the cost of construction to
about one third of the amount which would be required to
construct such a vessel anew.
We cannot, without further examination, make an accurate
estimate of the cost of the proposed work, but think it will be about
one hundred and ten thousand dollars, the most of which will be
for labour, the materials being nearly all on hand, in the yard,
except the iron plating to cover the shield.
The plan to be adopted in the arrangement of the shield for
glancing shot, mounting guns, arranging the hull and plating, to
be in accordance with the plan submitted for the approval of the
department.
We are, with much respect,
Your obedient servants,
WILLIAM P. WILLIAMSON, Chief Engineer.
JOHN M. BROOKE, Lieutenant.
JOHN L. PORTER, Naval Constructor.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, June 25, 1861.
Sir: In obedience to your order, we have carefully examined and
considered the various plans and propositions for constructing a
shot proof steam batter, and respectfully report that, in our
opinion, the steam frigate Merrimac, which is in such condition,
from the effect of fire, as to be useless for any other purpose,
without incurring a very heavy expense in her rebuilding, can be
made an efficient vessel of that character, mounting ten heavy
guns - two pivot and eight side guns of her original battery. And,
from the further consideration, that we cannot procure a suitable
engine and boilers for any other vessel without building them,
which would occupy too much time; it would appear that this is our
only chance to get a suitable vessel in a short time.
The bottom of the hull, boilers and heavy and costly parts of the
engine being but little injured, reduce the cost of construction to
about one third of the amount which would be required to
construct such a vessel anew.
We cannot, without further examination, make an accurate
estimate of the cost of the proposed work, but think it will be about
one hundred and ten thousand dollars, the most of which will be
for labour, the materials being nearly all on hand, in the yard,
except the iron plating to cover the shield.
The plan to be adopted in the arrangement of the shield for
glancing shot, mounting guns, arranging the hull and plating, to
be in accordance with the plan submitted for the approval of the
department.
We are, with much respect,
Your obedient servants,
WILLIAM P. WILLIAMSON, Chief Engineer.
JOHN M. BROOKE, Lieutenant.
JOHN L. PORTER, Naval Constructor.