Engines of Rebellion: Confederate Ironclads and Steam Engineering in the Civil War
By Saxon T. Bisbee (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2018)
Reviewed by Joseph Miechle
Hampton Roads Naval Museum Educator
Saxon Bisbee has done a thorough and outstanding job of relating the histories behind the construction of 27 Confederate ironclads in his recent monograph, “Engines of Rebellion: Confederate Ironclads and Steam Engineering in the American Civil War.” Mr. Bisbee has combed through archival holdings scattered across the United States in order to compile a fascinating understanding of how the new Confederate States aggressively pursued an ironclad construction program. The book not only draws upon original plans, drawings, journals and previous secondary sources, but also more recent archeological discoveries to produce perhaps the most comprehensive analysis of Confederate ironclad engineering to date. While extremely insightful to those interested in the micro-histories of Civil War engineering, this book may not appeal to the average reader due to the inherent complexities of engineering. It is important to note that this book acknowledges that the Confederacy had some ironclads constructed for them outside the country but deliberately does not include them in discussion.
The well-supported argument of the book is that despite steam engineering being a relatively new technology, lack of major manufacturing facilities in the south, and starting with no navy at all to begin with, the Confederate ironclad construction program was relatively successful. The ships utilized mostly existing machinery, yet they spurred advancements in propulsion and design for years afterward. The book is not only an exhaustive study on the design and procurement of the machinery of the Confederate ironclads but also draws on some rare primary accounts of Confederate engineers and shipbuilders. The book provides ample insight to the difficulties they faced in adapting under-powered engines for use on ships substantially different than they were originally designed for.
Plan drawing, including the
inboard profile, decks and two hull cross sections, inscribed at the top, "180
Ft. Iron Clad Gun Boat. As Altered July 6th 1863 ... Wm. A. Graves," which appears on page 134 of the book. This plan
may represent CSS Virginia II, which was built in Richmond, Virginia, and participated with the other James River Squadron ironclads CSS Richmond and CSS Fredericksburg in the Battle of Trent's Reach. The original is plan #
81-12-2E in Record Group 19 at the U.S. National Archives. (Naval History
and Heritage Command image)
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If you have ever wondered how the ironclad ships of the Confederacy were constructed and powered, this book will prove to be a phenomenal resource to the serious scholar of the Civil War Navy or those interested in 19th century steam engineering. For the lay reader, while a bit overwhelming, the book still tells the story from construction to disposition of all of the Confederate ironclads that were constructed in the Confederate States. The appendix itself is a fine quick glance resource for understanding the “bare bones” of Confederate Ironclad steam machinery, as well as serving as a great list of the ships by various groupings. As previously mentioned, the glossary certainly helped this reader understand the content, and the notes and bibliography are helpful and complete as well. This book would make a fine addition to a reader’s library.
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