Paddle wheels were exposed to gunfire and occupied valuable broadside space, whereas a screw and its shafting could sit below the gun deck. Designers explored mounting extra forward-firing guns ahead of each paddle box, though this seems unlikely to have offered much advantage in an era of broadside-oriented tactics. Independently driven port and starboard wheels could turn a paddle ship tightly or even work against one another. The comparison shows that screws offered decisive protection and armament advantages for ocean warships without making every paddle characteristic inferior.
Chapter · 9:43-13:16
Why ocean-going warships favored the screw
Exposed wheels cost broadside space, but independently driven paddles offered tight maneuvering and prompted attempts to exploit their unusual hull layout.