The middle of the 19th century was a time of fairly dramatic change when it came to the navies of the world. This was a transition from the standard sail powered ship of the line to steam power. In addition, there was the addition of iron-clad ships to this mix. Initially both changes were little more than add-ons to what had come before as truly all iron/steel ships were just in their infancy.

The first actual use of ocean going steam powered iron-clad ships was in the brief war between Austria and Italy in the year after the end of the American Civil War. While it is true that there were battles between iron-clad steam ships during that conflict, these ships were not true ocean-going ships but part of on-going riverine warfare between the two sides.

Moving to steam power was a major change in philosophy. While the steam engine was faster and more powerful than just using sail, it required a rather conspicuous amount of fuel and this fuel was coal. As some of you know, there are various grades of coal with the higher grade providing the greatest range per unit measure. The lower grades worked, but tended to provide less efficiency and also left a lot more residue. This meant that ocean-going navies had to stockpile coal at various locations around the world or bring what are basically coal cargo ships with them.

In addition, iron-clad ships were just that, regular wooden ships with a sheath of iron/steel. This was generally good enough for the initial round ball guns and ammunition, but the advance of breech-loading guns with armor piercing shells meant that more armor had to be added or the ships needed to be built entirely of steel. The inability of most guns to penetrate the iron cladding brought back a form of naval warfare that had not been around for centuries, and that was ramming. Hence the trend of installing rams on new build ships, a trait that lasted into the First World War. That is why many of the ships of the time did not have a clipper bow.

This book covers not only the changes in naval warfare of the time, but also the development of the then-modern warship and armament. It also gives a detailed examination of the battles of this short-lived war, the ships that participated, the tactics of both sides and the results of the conflict. The book has a lot of period photographs, maps and drawings of the ships that participated. In all a fascinating look at this time in naval history and one I know you will enjoy reading.

October 2025

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