Arkansas discovered on 14 July that steam escaping from her machinery had dampened the forward magazine's powder. The crew had to stop, unload the affected powder, dry it in the sun, and reload before proceeding toward Haines Bluff. The incident connects poor machinery installation directly to combat readiness rather than treating propulsion and armament as separate systems. It also shows how little margin Brown had while trying to preserve surprise for the dawn attack on Union ships.
Notable Point · 3:39-4:02
Steam leakage dampens Arkansas's powder
Escaping steam reaches the forward magazine, forcing Arkansas to stop and dry her powder in the sun before the planned attack.