Quote:
Originally Posted by swaghauler
An added "what if" is... "What if the Captain had taken the Gun manufacturer's advice?" The Navy was told that those Dahlgrens were made with a newer process and could withstand loading a "double charge" of powder to push the projectile faster. The Navy erred on the side of caution and never "double charged" the cannon during firing. A higher velocity shot might have penetrated the CSS Virginia's hull.
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That is a valid what-if, but one where I don't think it would have made a difference. Solid shot from a Dahlgren is surprisingly ineffective, largely because they're short (less than 12 calibers in length except for the 8" at 12.54 calibers). For any caliber from 9" to 15", Pen with a kinetic energy shot is 9/8/7/4. With
Virginia's 41 armor on the casemate, you'd need at least Pen 30 to inflict minor damage on a 12, and I don't think doubling powder will lead to a 333% increase in Pen to get close range shots up to 30. With the cannon of the time, the only things with a realistic chance to damage the casemate are the 15" Dahlgren and the 15" or 20" Rodman (which were shore artillery only AFAIK), all firing shell. Black powder and iron guns just couldn't get the velocity for that kind of armor-piercing capability.