this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
114 points (100.0% liked)
HistoryPorn
4870 readers
261 users here now
If you would like to become a mod in this community, kindly PM the mod.
Relive the Past in Jaw-Dropping Detail!
HistoryPorn is for photographs (or, if it can be found, film) of the past, recent or distant! Give us a little snapshot of history!
Rules
- Be respectful and inclusive.
- No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
- Engage in constructive discussions.
- Share relevant content.
- Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
- Use appropriate language and tone.
- Report violations.
- Foster a continuous learning environment.
- No genocide or atrocity denialism.
Pictures of old artifacts and museum pieces should go to History Artifacts
Illustrations and paintings should go to History Drawings
Related Communities:
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
What is the reason? That seems so bad
Much lower cross-section for enemies to hit.
So there is more wooden ship under the water. That’s where the engine and coal and stuff is. So, you have a wooden ship made using civil war technology,, with people inside under the water. With iron plates fixed to the exposed part of the hull.
I’m sure it was safe enough, but just the idea seems less than ideal.
"safe enough" is relative. they weren't properly sea-going vessels; they could only handle relatively calm coastal waters. bad weather or just open water would prove problematic. that said, it being lower gave it better protection from threats. They were used to defend harbors, though, so it wasn't necessary for them to be sea worthy.
once you are in range of its 15 inch guns, all you can see is a pair of small, fortified towers flashing at you.. it would have been mostly a deterrent, just like any fortification..