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Ironclad Collection

The ironclad warships of the 19th century revolutionized naval warfare, forever changing the course of history

Background imageIronclad Collection: USS Monitor and CSS Virginia ironclad naval battle

USS Monitor and CSS Virginia ironclad naval battle
Terrific Engagement Between the USS Monitor with 2 Guns, and the CSS Virginia (aka Merrimac) with 10 Guns, in Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862. The First Fight between Ironclad ships of War

Background imageIronclad Collection: Battle of Mobile Bay, Civil War, 1864

Battle of Mobile Bay, Civil War, 1864
Farraguts flagship USS " Hartford" colliding with the ironclad CSS " Tennessee" to secure Mobile Bay, 1864. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Background imageIronclad Collection: EVCW2A-00045

EVCW2A-00045
Frigate " Merrimac" before and after conversion into an iron-clad Confederate warship. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Battle of Pacocha; Action between HMS Shah and Ameth

The Battle of Pacocha; Action between HMS Shah and Ameth
Engraving showing the battle between HMS Shah and Amethyst and the Peruvian Ironclad turret ship Huascar on the 29th May 1877

Background imageIronclad Collection: CIVIL WAR: MOBILE BAY, 1864. The Confederate ironclad ram Tennessee

CIVIL WAR: MOBILE BAY, 1864. The Confederate ironclad ram Tennessee, captured at the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864

Background imageIronclad Collection: CIVIL WAR: VICKSBURG, 1863. Admiral David Porters fleet on the Mississippi River

CIVIL WAR: VICKSBURG, 1863. Admiral David Porters fleet on the Mississippi River, bombarding the Confederate blockade at Vicksburg, 16 April 1863. Lithograph by Currier and Ives, 1863

Background imageIronclad Collection: American Civil War, battle of ironclads

American Civil War, battle of ironclads
2603973 American Civil War, battle of ironclads; (add.info.: American Civil War: Engagement between the Confederate ironclad 'Merrimac' (also called 'Virginia')

Background imageIronclad Collection: Departure of the Prussian Ironclads from Plymouth, 1870 (engraving)

Departure of the Prussian Ironclads from Plymouth, 1870 (engraving)
1575650 Departure of the Prussian Ironclads from Plymouth, 1870 (engraving); (add.info.: Engraving depicts the departure of the Prussian ironclads from Plymouth)

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Italia

The Italia
5321274 The Italia; (add.info.: The Italia; Italian; naval ironclad warship. Illustration 1890.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Redoubtable

The Redoubtable
5310338 The Redoubtable; (add.info.: The Redoubtable; French naval ironclad warship. Illustration 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Battle of Lissa (sometimes called Battle of Vis) 20 July 1866

The Battle of Lissa (sometimes called Battle of Vis) 20 July 1866, in the Adriatic Sea near the Dalmatian island of
5304790 The Battle of Lissa (sometimes called Battle of Vis) 20 July 1866, in the Adriatic Sea near the Dalmatian island of Lissa ("Vis" in Croatian)

Background imageIronclad Collection: The French Ironclad 'Rochambeau' off Deal, 1870 (engraving)

The French Ironclad "Rochambeau" off Deal, 1870 (engraving)
1580786 The French Ironclad "Rochambeau" off Deal, 1870 (engraving); (add.info.: Engraving of the French Ironclad "Rochambeau")

Background imageIronclad Collection: Formidable was an Amiral Baudin-class ironclad battleship of the Marine nationale, 1890

Formidable was an Amiral Baudin-class ironclad battleship of the Marine nationale, 1890
3480842 Formidable was an Amiral Baudin-class ironclad battleship of the Marine nationale, 1890; (add.info.: Formidable was an Amiral Baudin-class ironclad battleship of the Marine nationale)

Background imageIronclad Collection: A Russian circular ironclad the Vice-Admiral Popoff, 1850

A Russian circular ironclad the Vice-Admiral Popoff, 1850
3330896 A Russian circular ironclad the Vice-Admiral Popoff, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a Russian circular ironclad the Vice-Admiral Popoff in the Nicolaieff Depositing Floating Dock)

Background imageIronclad Collection: John Ericsson's sketch for turret ship, 1890

John Ericsson's sketch for turret ship, 1890
2603982 John Ericsson's sketch for turret ship, 1890; (add.info.: John Ericsson's sketch for his revolving turret ship 'Monitor')

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Jean-Bart

The Jean-Bart
5321276 The Jean-Bart; (add.info.: The Jean-Bart; French first class Battle cruiser; 1889.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageIronclad Collection: American Civil War, battle of ironclads

American Civil War, battle of ironclads
2603974 American Civil War, battle of ironclads; (add.info.: American Civil War: Engagement between the Confederate ironclad 'Merrimac' (also called 'Virginia')

Background imageIronclad Collection: St Louis', James Buchanan Eads' earliest ironclad gunboat employed by Unionist (northern)

St Louis', James Buchanan Eads' earliest ironclad gunboat employed by Unionist (northern)
533268 St Louis', James Buchanan Eads' earliest ironclad gunboat employed by Unionist (northern) side in American Civil War 1861-1865, 1865 (engraving); (add.info.: St Louis')

Background imageIronclad Collection: French naval exercises: Submarine 'Dorade' surfacing to tell an ironclad that it has been 'sunk'

French naval exercises: Submarine 'Dorade' surfacing to tell an ironclad that it has been 'sunk'
530657 French naval exercises: Submarine 'Dorade' surfacing to tell an ironclad that it has been 'sunk'. Illustration from Le Petit Journal, Paris, 1908

Background imageIronclad Collection: Our ironclad fleet: launch of the Royal Alfred screw-frigate at Portsmouth, on Saturday last, 1864

Our ironclad fleet: launch of the Royal Alfred screw-frigate at Portsmouth, on Saturday last, 1864. Royal Navy warship. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.

Background imageIronclad Collection: Our Iron-Clad Fleet: H.M. Steam-Frigate Achilles off Folly Point, Chatham, 1864. Creator: Unknown

Our Iron-Clad Fleet: H.M. Steam-Frigate Achilles off Folly Point, Chatham, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Our Iron-Clad Fleet: H.M. Steam-Frigate Achilles off Folly Point, Chatham, 1864. 'Our Engraving gives a view of that fine warship the Achilles

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Duilio, Italian Ironclad, recently launched at Castellamare, Bay of Naples, 1876

The Duilio, Italian Ironclad, recently launched at Castellamare, Bay of Naples, 1876. Creator: Unknown
The Duilio, Italian Ironclad, recently launched at Castellamare, Bay of Naples, 1876. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. H. Cooke, of Rome

Background imageIronclad Collection: Launch of the Inflexible at Portsmouth Dockyard: stern view of the ship, 1876. Creator: J. R. W

Launch of the Inflexible at Portsmouth Dockyard: stern view of the ship, 1876. Creator: J. R. W
Launch of the Inflexible at Portsmouth Dockyard: stern view of the ship, 1876. Warship launched using electricity. Hammers and battering-rams were applied to the foremost blocks

Background imageIronclad Collection: Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Inflexible, 1876. Creator: Unknown

Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Inflexible, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Inflexible, 1876. The Inflexible is the greatest result yet attained by our naval architects and Board of Admiralty...[at] an estimated first cost of £521

Background imageIronclad Collection: French battleship Charles Martel, 1897 (20th century). Artist: Albert Sebille

French battleship Charles Martel, 1897 (20th century). Artist: Albert Sebille
French battleship Charles Martel, 1897 (20th century)

Background imageIronclad Collection: H.M.S. Alexandra, building at Chatham, 1876. Creator: Unknown

H.M.S. Alexandra, building at Chatham, 1876. Creator: Unknown
H.M.S. Alexandra, building [ie being built] at Chatham, 1876. Ironclad warship, ...one of the most powerful ships in the Royal Navy

Background imageIronclad Collection: Launch of the Russian circular ironclad Admiral Popoff, 1876. Creator: JR Wells

Launch of the Russian circular ironclad Admiral Popoff, 1876. Creator: JR Wells
Launch of the Russian circular ironclad Admiral Popoff, 1876....the launch of the Admiral Popoff...took place...at the port of Nicolaieff, which is situated on the river Bug

Background imageIronclad Collection: Coup d'etat in Portugal; Revolutionary artillery unit responding to fire from the warships

Coup d'etat in Portugal; Revolutionary artillery unit responding to fire from the warships... 1917 Creator: Unknown
Coup d'etat in Portugal; Revolutionary artillery unit responding to fire from the warships "Vasco-de-Gama" and "Guadiana" loyal to the regular government, 1917

Background imageIronclad Collection: Building the great steam-frigate 'Warrior' at the Thames Ironworks, Blackwall, 1860. Creator: Smyth

Building the great steam-frigate "Warrior" at the Thames Ironworks, Blackwall, 1860. Creator: Smyth
Building the great steam-frigate "Warrior" at the Thames Ironworks, Blackwall, 1860. Admiral Sir Baldwin Wake Walker, Surveyor of the Navy

Background imageIronclad Collection: Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Temeraire, launched at Chatham on Tuesday last, 1876. Creator: JR Wells

Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Temeraire, launched at Chatham on Tuesday last, 1876. Creator: JR Wells
Our Ironclad Fleet: H.M.S. Temeraire, launched at Chatham on Tuesday last, 1876. Her maindeck guns will be broadside, but she will have on her upper deck a "barbette" battery...She will

Background imageIronclad Collection: The German Manoevers in Schleswig-Holstein; Torpedo boats attacking a squadron of Ironclads

The German Manoevers in Schleswig-Holstein; Torpedo boats attacking a squadron of Ironclads, 1890 Creator: Unknown
'The German Manoevers in Schleswig-Holstein; Torpedo boats attacking a squadron of Ironclads off Flensburg, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42

Background imageIronclad Collection: 'The Graphic, Front Cover Saturday, November 22, 1890, 1890. Creator: Unknown

'The Graphic, Front Cover Saturday, November 22, 1890, 1890. Creator: Unknown
'The Graphic, Front Cover Saturday, November 22, 1890, 1890.From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

Background imageIronclad Collection: 'An Autumn Cruise with the Channel Squadron; An Ironclad in a heavy sea making 'Neptunes Beard's'

'An Autumn Cruise with the Channel Squadron; An Ironclad in a heavy sea making "Neptunes Beard's", 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42

Background imageIronclad Collection: 'Launching the new Italian Ironclad 'La Sardegna' at Spezia, 1890. Creator: Charles William Wyllie

'Launching the new Italian Ironclad "La Sardegna" at Spezia, 1890. Creator: Charles William Wyllie
'Launching the new Italian Ironclad "La Sardegna" at Spezia, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

Background imageIronclad Collection: Visit of the King of Portugal to the Channel Squadron off Lisbon, 1886. Creator: Unknown

Visit of the King of Portugal to the Channel Squadron off Lisbon, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Visit of the King of Portugal to the Channel Squadron off Lisbon, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Background imageIronclad Collection: The new iron-clad fleet: launch at Chatham Dockyard of H.M.S. frigate Royal Oak, 50 guns, 1862

The new iron-clad fleet: launch at Chatham Dockyard of H.M.S. frigate Royal Oak, 50 guns, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The new iron-clad fleet: launch at Chatham Dockyard of H.M.S. frigate Royal Oak, 50 guns, 1862....the first completed of a new class of wooden vessels in the course of construction under the special

Background imageIronclad Collection: The new iron-clad fleet: stem of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862

The new iron-clad fleet: stem of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The new iron-clad fleet: stem of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862. The construction of this gigantic iron frigate, under the superintendence of Mr. 0. W

Background imageIronclad Collection: The new iron-clad fleet: framing of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862

The new iron-clad fleet: framing of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The new iron-clad fleet: framing of Her Majesty's steam-frigate Achilles, 50 guns, 1862. The construction of this gigantic iron frigate, under the superintendence of Mr. 0. W

Background imageIronclad Collection: Ironclads in stormy weather. The behaviour of large ironclad warships in rough weather at sea is

Ironclads in stormy weather. The behaviour of large ironclad warships in rough weather at sea is an important consideration for the British Royal Navy. Date: 1889

Background imageIronclad Collection: Defence Class Ironclad Warship on the River Mersey

Defence Class Ironclad Warship on the River Mersey Victorian period

Background imageIronclad Collection: Illumination of the Grand Canal, Venice

Illumination of the Grand Canal, Venice
The illumination of the Grand Canal in Venice, in honour of the launch of the new ironclad (warship) Francesco Morosini'. Date: 1885

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Royal Navy in the Victorian era: the evolution of the battleship during the Queens reign

The Royal Navy in the Victorian era: the evolution of the battleship during the Queens reign (photogravure)
6030867 The Royal Navy in the Victorian era: the evolution of the battleship during the Queens reign (photogravure) by Wright

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Anglo-Portuguese Crisis (engraving)

The Anglo-Portuguese Crisis (engraving)
1626747 The Anglo-Portuguese Crisis (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Anglo-Portuguese Crisis)

Background imageIronclad Collection: Visiting an Ironclad in a Gale-Trippers coming on Board (engraving)

Visiting an Ironclad in a Gale-Trippers coming on Board (engraving)
1055286 Visiting an Ironclad in a Gale-Trippers coming on Board (engraving) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Visiting an Ironclad in a Gale-Trippers coming on Board)

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Naval Manoeuvres (engraving)

The Naval Manoeuvres (engraving)
1036343 The Naval Manoeuvres (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Naval Manoeuvres)

Background imageIronclad Collection: The Autographic Telegraph, Sketches and Autograph Writings, sent by Telegraph (engraving)

The Autographic Telegraph, Sketches and Autograph Writings, sent by Telegraph (engraving)
1621728 The Autographic Telegraph, Sketches and Autograph Writings, sent by Telegraph (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Autographic Telegraph)

Background imageIronclad Collection: Far from Fog and Frost, Bluejackets bathing from an Ironclad in the Mediterranean (litho)

Far from Fog and Frost, Bluejackets bathing from an Ironclad in the Mediterranean (litho)
1037516 Far from Fog and Frost, Bluejackets bathing from an Ironclad in the Mediterranean (litho) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Far from Fog and Frost)

Background imageIronclad Collection: How we spent the Festive Season on Foreign Service (colour litho)

How we spent the Festive Season on Foreign Service (colour litho)
1046370 How we spent the Festive Season on Foreign Service (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: How we spent the Festive Season on Foreign Service)



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The ironclad warships of the 19th century revolutionized naval warfare, forever changing the course of history. One such iconic battle took place between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia during the Civil War in 1862. These formidable vessels clashed in a historic duel that marked a new era in naval combat. Fast forward to 1864, and another significant engagement occurred at Mobile Bay. The Battle of Mobile Bay saw Admiral David Farragut leading his Union fleet against Confederate forces, including the fearsome ironclad ram Tennessee. Despite facing heavy fire and treacherous torpedoes, Farragut famously declared, "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead. " His unwavering determination led to victory for the Union. Across the Atlantic Ocean, there were other notable encounters involving ironclads. In 1877, HMS Shah engaged Ameth during The Battle of Pacocha off Peru's coast. This clash demonstrated how these armored behemoths could project power across vast distances. Closer to home on England's River Mersey, Defence Class Ironclad Warships stood as imposing symbols of maritime strength and technological advancement. Their presence was awe-inspiring as they patrolled this vital waterway. Meanwhile, in Venice's Grand Canal, an illuminating spectacle unfolded with lights reflecting off its shimmering waters. Amidst this enchantment stood an ironclad vessel - a testament to man's ingenuity melded with military might. During Queen Victoria's reign, battleships evolved under Royal Navy guidance. Photogravures captured their transformation from wooden-hulled ships to powerful iron-plated fortresses sailing proudly under Her Majesty's flag. Not all interactions involving ironclads were confrontational; some were diplomatic endeavors aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully. Engravings depict moments like "Visiting an Ironclad in a Gale, " where dignitaries braved stormy weather to foster understanding between nations.