Chuck- Even correct installation would not have prevented the machinery going out of alignment quickly. The machinery would skew under load, that is lose square with the power transferring cross-shaft. Mental image of several landsmen with marlinspikes dripping sweat while heaving the starboard cylinder bed as the engine guy checks the countershaft with a square and shoves a wad of bees wax into the bevel gears to check tooth mesh. This ritual was probably done more times than has been recorded.

The pressures of time ,as you mention, couldn't have contributed to a quality product. This said the run down the river by Capt. Brown and Crew stands as one of the great feats of any conflict, anywhere. Yes, consider the support available to Eads compared to those attempting to build on the Yazoo.