You should have more faith in the automation tech of the 1940s... I mean really... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QHizDkrFqg (Only bitter because Automation is what pays my bills, lol!)
FunkEngine
2020-10-10 05:35:16 +0000 UTC
I would think the reason not to "cut down" an existing warship to a battery ironclad was that truly seaworthy and battle line ships were in high demand that early on (A LOT of forts to overawe and a LOT of sea to cover). Roanoke was eventually taken in hand and given 3 turrets, but she drew far too much water to be useful in shore (and was a scary deathtrap offshore. The flip side was Virginia herself, despite Union worries, she could never have gotten to Washington. Albemarle and Tennessee were re-purposed for bombardment duty after they were captured (and Albemarle got raised).