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practical purpose there would be all desirable rapidity of fire from the eleven-inch 
in turret. Thus it is to be presumed that there will be equality of ordnance power 
in the same number of eleven-inch guns as to rapidity of fire, whether in a turret 
or broadside ”. 
“ In common with all iron-clads, the scope of vision is much restricted, for the 
plain reason that in such vessels apertures of any size must be avoided. There 
are some other defects, but they are not inherent, and it is believed are susceptible 
of being remedied wholly or in part. So much for the monitors. 
“ The ‘Ironsides’ is a fine, powerful ship. Her armour has stood heavy battering 
very well, and her broadside of seven eleven-inch guns and one eight-inch rifle 
has always told with signal effect when opened on the enemy. Draught of water 
about 16^ to 16 feet. Speed six to seven knots, and crew about four hundred 
and forty men. 
“ The defects of the vessel are the unplated ends, which are consequently easily 
damaged by a raking fire, and involve the rudder and screw more or less, while she 
can return no fire in either direction. This was particularly and frequently incon¬ 
venient in attacking the works on Morris island, for at certain stages of the tide 
vessels tail nearly across the channel, and present bow and stern to the beach of 
Morris island, so that sometimes it was necessary to delay placing the vessel in 
position, and at others she would swing round very awkwardly when engaged. 
“The monitors, on the other hand, were almost equally well defended on all 
sides, and could fire in any direction. The ‘Ironsides’ was also open to descending 
shot, and her scope of fire too much restricted by badly placed ports. 
“The desire for comparison which rages just now can easily be satisfied by 
bringing the above data in juxtaposition. 
“ Just as they are, the ‘Ironsides’ is capable of a more rapid and concentrated fire, 
which, under the circumstances, made her guns more effective than the fifteen-inch 
of the monitors. On the other hand, she was restricted by draught to the mid¬ 
channel, was very vulnerable to a raking fire, and the direction of her own guns was 
very limited laterally. 
“ The monitors could operate in most of the channels—could direct their fire 
around the whole circle—and were almost equally well defended on all sides. 
“ The defects in both classes of vessels are susceptible of being remedied par¬ 
tially or entirely. The defence of the ‘Ironsides’ could be made complete, and that 
of the monitors equally so. The armament of the monitors could be perfected so 
as to give all desirable rapidity of fire, but by no contrivance could the ‘Ironsides’ be 
enabled to use much heavier guns than those mounted. Yet when such changes 
were made as experience has suggested, there still would remain to the monitors 
the lighter draught, choice of guns from the heaviest to the lightest, defensibility, 
and direction of fire around the whole circle; consequently the ability to carry a 
heavy battery into the least depth of water, with equal power of offence and defence 
in any direction, and that with half the number of guns carried in broadside by 
another vessel. 
“ The comparison now made is to be understood as having relation to existing 
circumstances, and not at all intended as conclusive in regard to the general merits 
of iron-clads. 
“ It is in this case that the action of the Navy Department is to be considered 
with reference to the selection of one class of vessels over another. 
“It is evident that it was not designed to adopt any one style exclusively, for 
of the three vessels first ordered two were of the ordinary broadside class—the 
‘Ironsides’ and the ‘Galena.’ The latter was quickly proved to be absolutely in¬ 
efficient, and so must any armoured steamer of that size. It is universally 
admitted that plates of less than four and a half (4^) inches cannot stand the shock 
of heavy projectiles, and vessels so armoured must be of considerable tonnage. 
“ I presume the department only intended to build such vessels as were best 
adapted to the service at the scene of war. 
