|View single post by Texas Defender|
|Posted: Tue Nov 12th, 2013 05:42 pm||
The oar powered propulsion system was impractical and was eventually replaced by a screw system.
I believe that the original mission would have been to destroy CSN ironclads before they could attack the wooden blockaders. But after the CSS VIRGINIA was scuttled, the sub's mission became the destruction of river obstacles and bridges. In this it was not successful when it was attempted in 1862.
It just didn't fit in with the general concept of how the U.S. Navy of that day was operating, and it was looked upon with skepticism. Whether it might have eventually proved itself to be of value using the new propulsion system in 1863 or thereafter can never be known.
Here is an article detailing its history, its specifications, and its revolutionary features:
Last edited on Tue Nov 12th, 2013 06:13 pm by Texas Defender