American ironclad construction in this period was dominated by monitors. New Ironsides remained an isolated example instead of beginning a continuous succession of ocean-going broadside ironclads. Ships acquired during the Civil War continued to supply much of the navy's strength for years afterwards. The later growth of the fleet in the 1890s followed a long gap, making direct predecessors for ships such as Texas and Maine difficult to identify.
Notable Point · 5:16:30-5:20:01
The gap after New Ironsides
Monitor construction and prolonged reliance on Civil War ships left a gap between New Ironsides and the later American ocean-going fleet.