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18th September 2009, 11:58 AM | #1 |
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USS "Choctaw" (1864)
Here is my model of USS "Choctaw" (1864), probably the ugliest ironclad that ever disgraced the waters of the Mississipi during the American Civil War. She was slow, poorly armed and poorly protected (her armour included a layer of rubber). Yet, somehow, she proved useful at times...
A weird and amusing object, certainly, but somewhat disappointing as a warship. It shows mostly that the Union's shipbuilders were willing to try anything, and events proved that they were right. So, I am a little disappointed, but still this model did teach me a few things... Also, I did say that I would finish it. Thierry |
18th September 2009, 12:15 PM | #2 |
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Re: USS "Choctaw" (1864)
Nice model!
I've seen pictures of ACW ships and they seem very low in the water. This may seem like a silly question: Were these built with flat bottoms or was there a deep, shaped hull under the water? |
19th September 2009, 03:07 AM | #3 |
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Re: USS "Choctaw" (1864)
Thank you for the compliment :-)
About your question, most of these boats were designed for riverine operations only. So, they had as reduced a draught as possible, their hull was only as deep as was required to house their boilers and engines, and a high freeboard was not required; so it was kept to a minimum to reduce hull weight, and thereby draught. Also, a reduced freeboard made the boats smaller targets. In most cases the hull section was practically rectangular. |
19th September 2009, 04:39 PM | #4 |
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Re: USS "Choctaw" (1864)
That's very interesting, I would love to see a lined see-through of below the water line, but don't do it on my account.
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