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The end of the wooden ship: Why did the ironclad rewrite the rules of naval warfare?
The emergence of ironclads was not only a major revolution in naval technology, but also a complete change in naval warfare tactics. As traditional wooden ships became vulnerable to new explosive shells, the development of ironclads became an important indicator of naval power. In 1859, the launch of the French Navy's first ironclad ship "Glory" marked the beginning of a new era. Subsequently, the United Kingdom also built a number of all-iron warships.
"Ironclads have three main characteristics: metal hulls, steam propulsion, and main guns capable of firing explosive shells."
In the mid-19th century, the introduction of steam power made these warships no longer dependent on wind power. The first specially designed steam battleship was the "Napoleon" in 1850. Its rapid speed laid the foundation for France in the maritime race with Britain. At the same time, naval firepower was increased with the development of heavier artillery shells. The previous wooden warships were simply vulnerable to exploding shells, which drove the demand for iron ships by various naval nations.
With the success of the "Glory", navies from other countries around the world have followed suit. The British "Warrior" and "Black Prince" were also quickly built. Not only did these ships have faster speeds and stronger firepower, but they also began to differentiate the concept of "main armor" in design. This change made artillery fire more difficult. The hit rate and accuracy are greatly improved.
"The first naval battle of ironclad ships occurred in the American Civil War in 1862, which brought the era of traditional wooden ships to an end."
On March 9, 1862, the "Battle of the Ironclads" in the American Civil War, when the U.S. Navy's "Sea Surveillance" and the Confederate "Virginia" clashed, became an important milestone in history. This battle demonstrated the tenacity of the ironclads. The two ships attacked each other but failed to break through the other's armor protection, surprising the world.
The development of ironclad ships
In recent decades, the design and construction technology of ironclads has improved significantly. These ships have gradually become adapted to various types of battles, no longer limited to traditional naval battles, but have become ideal for coastal defense and ocean patrol. With the advancement of metal smelting technology, the protective capabilities and attack power of ironclad ships have been strengthened.
"By the end of the 19th century, the title of ironclad was gradually replaced by "battleship" or "armored cruiser", which symbolized a fundamental change in naval strategy. ”
Changes in tactics
The introduction of ironclads brought drastic changes to the strategies and techniques of naval warfare. In the attack strategy, the choice of distance between ships has become the key to determining the situation of the battle. The design of ships is evolving towards concentrated firepower and heavy armament. The old tactics of relying on large numbers of artillery were gradually replaced by a small number of ships with powerful firepower.
In addition, with the use of ironclads, many military designers began to rethink the positioning of battleships as weapons. Intentionally, the construction of ironclads marked a new form of naval warfare, which not only increased the firepower and protection of the ships, but also changed the tactical layout.
Future naval battle
Today's naval power is still improving, but the new rules of naval warfare created by ironclads are still in the past. The new generation of warships no longer relies solely on carbon steel or iron, but uses higher-tech materials and technologies. But what is certain is that the emergence of ironclads completely changed the course of naval history.
As naval power continues to evolve, will new technologies subvert the rules of naval warfare again?
