The problem with the ironclad Nashville seems to have been her framing. She was only ironed forward and at least two Confederate naval officers expressed concern about her hull hogging with additional ironing. She had huge paddle wheels which would have been difficult to protect. Most people don't realize that side-wheelers had two loading moments: the hull (hogging/sagging) and transverse sagging moments from the weight of the side-wheels. There is some doubt that she could have been safely ironed as planned on the shield. She performed effectively with fire support at Blakely. After the war, one Union officer expressed an opinion that she would have been in trouble in the open sea.