Hi,

I have that book, it actually spurred my interest in the ship.

Since ramming became the method of attack after the gun burst, was the bow reinforced in some way? I read many reports in the Official Records where the "rebel ram Bayou City" was said to have railroad or boiler iron on her bow. Was she ultimately strengthened along the same lines as say an Ellet Ram?

Also, looking back in "Cottonclads" I read a reference to the ships "snorting from high pressure steam", which rules out a walking beam engine.

But Frazier also lists the ships speed at 7 knots, which seems low for a unarmored ram.

Does anybody know the dimensions of a 1860's cotton bale?

Thanks