Are you familiar with the tinclad vessels which were used by the Union Navy in the Civil War?

2016-03-11T12:11:46-05:00

Tinclads were altered river vessels employed by Union forces to move and protect supplies on the western rivers, especially the Red, Tennessee, Cumberland, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers. Tinclads were lightly armored, with wooden bulwarks and casemates that were largely proof against small arms fire.
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=30331

H-Net Reviews

Myron J. Smith. Tinclads in the Civil War: Union Light-Draught Gunboat Operations on Western Waters, 1862-1865. Jefferson: McFarland, 2009. 431 pp. $55.00 (paper), ISBN 978-0-7864-3579-1.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 11 at 2016 12:18 PM

2016-03-11T12:18:31-05:00

Progenitors of the riverine forces of the Vietnam era and today.

http://www.stripes.com/news/riverine-success-in-iraq-shows-need-for-naval-quick-reaction-force-1.195109

Riverine success in Iraq shows need for naval quick-reaction force

When the U.S. Navy’s Riverine forces were resurrected six years ago to secure Iraq’s rivers and coastal waterways, they functioned much as the highly decorated river rats of the Mekong Delta did in Vietnam. Their success has given new life to the unit and the strategy.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 11 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-03-11T12:31:10-05:00

I learned about tinclads when I was researching Grant's Vicksburg campaign. The ingenuity of soldiers and sailors has come up with amazingly practical solutions when the situation demanded it. There are countless unsung heroes who have helped move our military forces throughout the ages.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 11 at 2016 2:51 PM

2016-03-11T14:51:30-05:00

I have heard of these but it's always nice to go back, read and study more on this subject

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Mar 11 at 2016 3:36 PM

2016-03-11T15:36:23-05:00

Thanks - great history.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Mar 11 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-03-11T23:41:24-05:00

Very interesting LTC Stephen F.. I herd one might be on display someday?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Mar 12 at 2016 9:39 AM

2016-03-12T09:39:18-05:00

LTC Stephen F. Great post - I really liked reading about the civil war naval campaigns in my study of the civil war. Thanks

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 12 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-03-12T10:41:33-05:00

Yep. My Family used to Vacation at Ft Donelson. Great History.