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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
inside of the casemate about two feet from the side. This is the only shot that 
penetrated the wooden backing of the casemate, although there are numerous places 
on the inside, giving evidence of the effect of the shot. 
“There are visible between forty and fifty indentations and marks of shot on the 
hull, deck, and casemate, varying from very severe to slight; nine of the deepest 
indentations on the after part of the casemate, (evidently being eleven-inch shot,) 
and the marks of about thirty of other calibres on different parts of the vessel. 
“The smoke-stack was shot away, although it is not improbable the heavy 
ramming by the c Monongahela,’ ‘ Lackawanna,* and * Hartford,’ had previously 
prepared it for its fall. 
“ Three of the wrought-iron port shutters or slides were so much damaged by 
shot as to prevent the firing of the guns. 
“There are no external visible marks or evidence of injury inflicted upon the hull 
of the ‘Tennessee’ by the severe ramming by the ‘Monongahela,’ ‘Lackawanna,’ and 
‘ Hartford; ’ but inasmuch as the decks leak badly, and when there is a moderate sea 
running in the bay, her reported usual leakage of three inches an hour being now 
increased to five or six inches an hour, it is fairly to be inferred that the increased 
leakage is caused by the concussion of the vessels. 
“ The ‘ Tennessee ’ is in a state to do good service now. 
“ When these small repairs and additions shall have been made, the iron-clad 
* Tennessee ’ will be a most formidable vessel for harbour and river service, and for 
operating generally in smooth water, both offensively and defensively.” 
APPENDIX B. 
A Committee of five Naval Officers was appointed by the Admiralty on 27th April 
last to report on the merits of sea-going turret ships, and the following in their 
opinion are the advantages of this system. 
“ The distinctive advantages of this mode of armament appear to us to be :— 
“ («) That it is the most efficient mode of carrying and working very heavy guns 
in a sea way. 
“ A steadier platform is obtained, from which to fire. 
“ A gun mounted in a turret is higher out of the water, and being also in the 
centre of the ship, can therefore be fought longer and more efficiently in a sea-way 
than when mounted on the broadside. 
“ The extent to which the gun can be trained in a turret is only limited by the 
obstructions on the deck. 
“There is also greater facility of training than with broadside guns, as at 
present fitted. 
“ When under the fire of musketry the port in the turret can be turned away 
from the enemy, while the gun is being loaded. 
“ More elevation can be given to the guns on the turret system than on the 
broadside, as ports are now fitted. 
“ So far as being able to keep the gun when loaded always pointed towards the 
object, a greater rapidity of fire is obtained by the turret system, the captain of the 
