Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 10:44-12:01

An American ironclad squadron against Warrior

A hypothetical American squadron might mass enough ships to threaten Warrior, but Britain would respond with a squadron rather than leave her unsupported.

Fleet CompositionHMS Black PrinceHMS Warrior (1860)Royal NavyShips of the LineUS NavyUSS DictatorUSS DunderbergUSS New IronsidesUSS Puritan
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Question

Could a squadron of American Civil War ironclads overcome Warrior and Black Prince?

Short answer

Possibly only by concentration, but the Royal Navy would answer with additional ironclads and steam ships of the line, not an isolated pair.

Notes

The viewer combines New Ironsides with USS Puritan, USS Dictator, USS Dunderberg, and other American ironclads while conceding Warrior's superiority ship for ship. The reply argues that the comparison cannot freeze British force structure in place: Warrior and Black Prince could be reinforced by later ironclad frigates and numerous steam ships of the line. A fleet comparison therefore has to count the reinforcements and older heavy ships each navy could concentrate, rather than tally only the most famous hulls. The scenario tests force generation and fleet composition more than the superiority of one celebrated ship.