[Webstral]

On the somewhat related subject of gunboats, there would be a real need for gunboats on the Mississippi and all the waterways the government hoped to control. Every warlord with two rifles to rub together would want to collect tolls from river traffic passing through his area. One might even see enterprising marauders trying to block river traffic to make off with the goods. Therefore, there would be a real need for protection on the river barges themselves and on separate gunboats.

There would be a need for gunboats on the Great Lakes, too. Communities all along the perimeter of the Great Lakes would have an advantage over landlocked communities because the Great Lakes would foster interdependence. Small and not-so-small gunboats would be needed to keep the lakes free of warlords and enterprising marauders.