De Katholieke Illustratie. Zondags-Lektuur voor het Katholieke Nederlandsche Volk, No. 13, 1867
The Dutch magazine claimed that the floating battery type was an American invention but the idea was soon taken over by the British. It was a circular vessel with a hull of 3 feet oak wood with on top iron plates with a thickness of 15 centimeter. The guns shooting a 460 pound heavy projectile were divided over the ship at equal distance of each other. Diamer 218 feet. The battery could be turned using the hydrauic engine positoned beneath the mast and be handled by 2-3 engineers. Weight of the battery 90,000.
Commissioners considered floating batteries to suport the permanent fortifications defending the more important positios.President of the committee was rear admiral Sir Thomas Maitland. Several eminent shipbuilders were spoken. The stationary floating batteries possessed steadiness and light draught. “The expense of such a battery would be considerably greater than that of a masonry work bearing the same armament, and would be by no means so efficient, on many grounds. Stationary floating batteries would not only be more expensive in the first instance, but would involve a considerable annual outlay for maintenance, and would require periodical renewal at certain interval ; they are liable to be sunk by the concentrated fire of or collision with large ships, the approach of which cannot be guarded against at high water, owing to the great rise of tide on the coast of England; they cannot, under any circumstances, afford a perfectly steady platform for accurate fire, such as is now more than ever indispensable with rifled ordnance ; and they have not that advantage which is possessed by a casemated work, of affording good barrack accommodation. Your Commissioners therefore do not recommend the adoption of stationary floating batteries of this description, under any circumstances.”
However a moveable floating battery was far more perfect and suitable for defence pueposes with the following qualities: “ purposes. It may be described as a powerful iron-sided steam-vessel, capable alike of batteries. maintaining a fixed station or manœuvring in ageneral engagement, of sufficient size to afford a steady platform for working the guns, yet not so large as to be unmanageable in narrow waters; mounting from 12 to 20 guns, having a speed of from 8 to 10 knots, and of as light a draught of water as is consistent with othergood qualities. Vessels similar in dimensions, armament, and general description to that which they have recommended would be, in some instances, most serviceable as auxiliaries to the permanent fortifications for the defence of harbours and inner waters. They wouldbe free from many of the objections to which the stationary floating battery is liable, and would possess far greater advantages.”
Captain H.W. Tyler, R.E., Railway Department spoke over movebale floating batteries shaped as powerful iron-side steam vessels able to provide a fixed position or manoeuvring during a general engament, armed with 12-20 guns, light draught and a speed of 8-10 knots.
Sources
De Katholieke Illustratie. Zondags-Lektuur voor het Katholieke Nederlandsche Volk, No. 13, 1867.
Michael Scott. On the defence of Spithead including a description of a new system of submarine foundations. London, 1862.
Reports from commissioners. Vol. XXIII. Session 24 January-28 August 1860.
Reports from commissioners. Vol XXVII. Session 6 February-7 August 1862.
Accounts and papers. Vol XXXV. Session 4 February-29 July 1864.
Captain Cowper Phipps Coles. Reply to the Royal Commissioners’ Second Report on our National Defences. Portsea, 1861.
Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard. Vol. VIII. LOndon, 1865. No. XXX, evening meeting Monday 28 January 1864 p. 139 and so on.
Minutes of proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Vol. XXX. Session 1860-1861.