Cottonclad warship

Cottonclads were a classification of steam-powered warships where a wooden ship was protected from enemy fire by bales of cotton lining its sides. Cottonclads were prevalent during the American Civil War, particularly in the Confederate States Navy for riverine and coastal service such as in the battles of Memphis,[1] Galveston,[2] and Sabine Pass.[3] Confederate tactics generally had cottonclads, which were outgunned by Union warships, steam at full speed towards enemy vessels, relying on the cotton to absorb fire. Once they were within firing range, they would open fire, and, if possible, ram or board the enemy.[2]

  1. ^ Blair, Jayne (2006). The Essential Civil War: A Handbook to the Battles, Armies, Navies and Commanders. McFarland. p. 265. ISBN 978-0786424726. cottonclad ship battle of memphis.
  2. ^ a b Sullivan, Roy (2007). Civil War in Texas and the Southwest. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781467829489.
  3. ^ Cotham, Edward T. Jr. (2010-01-01). Sabine Pass: The Confederacy's Thermopylae. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-78246-4.