Yes, George, Knowledge of the new materials, or rather lack thereof, made composite construction the most viable. The C.S.S. Shenandoah is a good example of the use of metals in frames, where the stresses would be localized, to the covering of Teak, where torsional forces could work between frame stations.

The small boats designed by Graves were constructed of a true steel. There is some chrome in the metal. Who did the melt is another question I hope to answer.