Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-10
9ast6ils 'glni0n mo 9mrrifan
shlp. against RntterIes.


20 % - g s' ships against Batteries. M
- The question, how far ships are available to NOR
tar batteries on shore is so important in the present
contest between the Confederate and United States
that we Law before our readers extract upon
- this subject from late number Of The Westminster
-, .Reuieto: > q. -, ,---- i $50 e-.--r
Ea5a'i Ana here il may be as well to say few words
has on the reative power of ships against shore de>
81 eliza 81 fences for there Is vague notion existing that
ships 1msy silence batteries, or run by them with
- ,r sinpunity It is certainly possible that such an
event might happen tn ough NAL arrangements on
70 ~ shore. and sometimes 1t may Be impossible to avoid
ZL the chance IF such contingencies; but under
rfer ordinary circumstances the land defences viii
,T have enormous advantages. Batteries on shore,
go placed at height Of from 90 to, 49, or even zoo
sfae 81 feet above the water viii make most perfect
-7r practice and be little susceptible of injury from
sa theare efshpRns; II additional security be need
placed In hanking position, while their direct
- o front the is covered they scarcely be
opposed at all The battery presents only few
rr minute parts that vulnerable except q very
- heavy and concentrated cannonading, while every
A--l shot striking the ship will do or less pals
psbe damage; is the battery like the ship,
combustble, or liable to be sunk. The vessel
=, tanly may choose her position, but this would, of
90 course, be considered in the arrangements Of the
battery she may likewise retire at pleasure which
I'm is precisely the object which the battery intend
se ed 20 effect. But above ALL it is aaid BY those
who have confidence in the power of steam vessels
under such circumstances, they may passVthe bat
terry with rspIhIEy, and they may have shot proof
sides. The eject of the rapidty Of their passage
may be obvated where the passage is of any
~,
the difficulty Of hitting them in their course, how
ever rapid, Is not so great as would be imagined,
h-7 considering that the vessel will not run her own
e. length in the time of the shots fight TO herr there
foe, firing the gun 1obe1 her b0o It's alignment,
TIE shot viii be sure to strike her somewhere; but
very serious Impedment to great speed in the
immediate vicinity of the land will be the smoke
DR. - In most cases also, where bold course is ad
yocated the fact of the vessel having to return past
the same battery, and probably in a more or less
damaqed or even disalautled condition, is left out
HsI5 Of consideration
by the French into the possibility of rendering ships
mvunera6e by acoatiDg Of iron plates and If in any
1 oegree effective, the result will be of great impor-
Alee Ihere are SO many difficulties to be overcome,
aud ths cost VIII be enormous that it impossible
not 10 admire The determination of the French eff
feet this eC evinced IL the spirited efforts they
lls are making 70 sccomplshs Thefrst result to be
established is coating which shall be shot proof.
heavy shot from moderate ranges, striking the plates
d. fairly, have merely made dents in them, but when
81 r they have struck pear any joints they have usually
made extensive cracks, and displaced portions of
q g the plates; and where the surface has not
shown much injury the pIsnks within have been
broken By The conclusion, that best although
A they might not have suffered essentially from single
shot, any thing ike constant batteripgl on them
would rapidly break them up. But in addition to
Eos a this, Wtwort with his guns and with shot pre-
z~a pared foF the Purp0se-a stoex Of which may al
GA ways be at hand-Ras completely pierced through
these plates with q single shot; and it may be
@ fairly expected that the additional power which
will be given to artillery, BY inventions will
y more than keep pace with the protection afforded
by this defensive armor. The enormous weight of
TINS iron covering VIII also detract greatly from
the capabilty of the vessel for carrying s arms-
ment, provisions stores and, above all desirable
amount Of steam power and fuel Nor is it clear
how far 50 great weight, applied inso different a
manner from thatin which it usually adj listed may
not effect the vessels seaworhiness in bad weather
certainly on inquiries being made to the motion
at sea OF one Of these gun vessels, old seaman
with ClsapDI owing shake of the head observsd
that, IN toierabie breeze her Z oton was very
peculiar! Then again, the decks, net being cover
- ed with iron, are always vulnerable; and g fire
directed on the ship from elevated ground or from
distances requiring elevation, they will be as much,
or even more exposed than the sides. Any resist
auce likewise which be obtained for ships by
this means, can be much more readily obtained for
short batteries against them and with so much more
effect, that the weigh presents impeachment what
ever, and cost would be the only consideration,
@ The expense Of covering single frigste would be
tpo io .' o. very Powe[ battery on shore
fined situations, iron TeUeneds will eventually be
provided for all the more vulnerable parts of a
battery.