THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
437 
APPENDIX A. 
The following extracts bear on the disputed point relative to the 
value of iron-clads, 
“ Our entire safety on the southern coast depends on these vessels (the 
* Ironsides ’ and Monitors). Without these the rebel iron-clads would quickly min 
the blockade and capture our land forces.”— Letter from Rear Admiral Dahlgren to 
the Secretary U.S. Navy 19 tk January, 1864. 
“ I am satisfied that if I had one iron-clad at this time, I could destroy their whole 
force in the bay, and reduce the forts at my leisure. The experience I had 
of the fight between the ‘Arkansas ’ and Admiral Davis’s vessels, on the Mississipi, 
showed plainly how unequal the contest is between iron-clads and wooden vessels in 
loss of life, unless you succeed in destroying the iron-clad. I therefore deeply regret 
that the department has not been able to give us one of the many iron-clads.” 
Letters from Rear Admiral Farragut to the Secretary U.S, Navy, 22nd January and 
§th May, 1864, ralative to attach on Mobile, 
Such were the expressed opinions of American naval officers of great 
experience, and the following extracts furnish, I think, conclusive evidence 
of the value of, even, makeshift armour :— 
The confederate iron-clad ram “ Albemarle,” was attacked by seven federal gun 
boats on 5th May 1864. The Secretary of the Navy in his report to the President 
of the U.S., states :—“ The action continued from 4.40 to 7.30 p.m., when darkness 
intervened, and the ‘ Albemarle ’ retreated up the river. Shot fell from her armour 
apparently without effect, and the efforts to run her down were unsuccessful.” 
This engagement took place chiefly at 150 yards range, and the following 
extracts are from the reports of the officers commanding the federal gunboats :— 
Captain Smith to Rear Admiral Lee:—* 
“The ram is certainly very formidable.the shot fired at him was seen 
to strike fire upon the casemates and hull, flying upwards and falling in the 
water without having had any perceptible effect upon the vessel.” 
The following ammunition was expended by Captain Smith’s gunboat on May 
5th, 1865 :— 
Twenty-three solid 9-inch shot, from IX-inch (S.B. guns), nineteen rounds with 13 lbs. and four 
rounds with 10 lbs. charges; twenty-seven solid shot from 100-pr. Parrott (R. gun), 10 lbs. charges, 
besides some rounds from small guns. 
Report of the Officer commanding the “Whitehead,”— 
“.I opened fire with the 100-pr. rifle, using solid shot first at a distance 
of 1000 yards but it was soon lessened to 400 yards.1 approached within 
200 yards of her. At this distance we succeeded in making some excellent shots, 
the projectiles used being solid chilled-end shot, which must have made a serious 
impression on the iron armour of the ram, as I judged from the appearance of the 
plating on her when viewed through a glass.” 
Ammunition expended :—17 solid shot from 100-pr. rifle with 10 lbs. charge. 
The officer commanding “ Miami” reports 
“At 20 minutes to five, I opened fire with solid shot and continued firing rapidly 
with good range. The ram was struck by us at almost our first fire, and I have to 
report, throughout the action, excellent firing by both divisions of these ships. 
“ Tor more than ten minutes we poured solid shot upon her as rapidly as we could 
fire.” 
