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The History of Naval Battles: Part 3

History of Naval Battles - Part 1 and Part 2

The emergence of Naval technology in the middle 1800’s can trace it’s roots to the War of 1812. It was during this time that War Ships began adapting armor and new cannon technology that would shape the global design of not only newer generation fleets, but how naval warfare would be conducted for the next 200 years.​

U.S.Navy monitors forcing the surrender of

the casemate ironclad CSS Tennessee during

the Battle of Mobile Bay

The age of the Monitors 1857 -1889

In the mid 1850’s the Royal Navy began examining ways to improve how a ship protected her crew. New cannon technology in the form of rifled guns proved formidable against composite hulled and plated copper or steel hulled ironclads. France. who was also working on a design, launched the ironclad Gloire in 1859. The advent of the U.S. Civil war would see the launch of the Monitor. A Monitor can be roughly described as a small ship (in comparison to tall masted wooden and ironclad ships of that era), that is comprised mainly of steel, is steam driven, and has disproportionately large firepower relative to the vessel’s size. The Union shortly after learning of the launch of the confederate ironclad ship the C.S.S. Virginia (a heavily modified U.S.S. Merrimack) against the Navy’s wooden fleet in Chesapeake Harbor, placed into service the newly completed U.S.S Monitor. This set the state for one of the greatest 1v1 face offs in History during the battle of Hampton Roads. Over 2 days the two ships repeatably rammed and shot each other causing only superficial damage. This in the end, left both sides claiming victory, however demonstrating to the world that wooden sail powered ships, no matter how large and heavily gunned were in an instant... obsolete.

'Dreadnought' and 'Victory' at Portsmouth

by Henry J. Morgan.

The Dreadnought generation 1890-1938

War Ships of the Dreadnaught generation brought into existence improved technologies that would forever change surface warfare. Innovations such as turbine propulsion, gyro-stabilized torpedoes, submarines, and gun-fire control systems; combined with other naval breakthroughs like mines, radio communication, and ultimately air power. Would see the first formation of task groups. With the most successful navy being the one with the most variety of purpose built ship classes like minesweepers, subchasers, torpedo boats, submarines, and ultimately carriers. Naval structure was beginning to take shape.

The long distance generation 1938-1956

At the onset of WWII, navies began to develop from early task groups into massive fleets. This period of evolution can be characterized by the addition of long range radio, radar, and receiving replenishment (self sustaining fleet) while underway. This was due to the expansion of roles in ship design. In order to keep a Navy afloat and in combat, vessels of all roles were introduced. Oilers, haulers, repair ships, ammunition ships, and supply ships; kept the Navy fed, as healthy as could be expected and well reinforced. The design of new warships during this time shrank overall as technology advances allowed for ships to engage targets at ever increasing ranges and to travel much further distances faster. This was due to countries’ navies needing to cross vast oceans in order to advance the battles. Larger and slower vessels began to give way to speed, maneuverability, and technology. Submarines for example needed to be able to go longer distances while being submerged for longer periods in order to avoid aircraft or detection by the enemy. Radar also allowed for 24/hr combat and in any weather to be effective.

HMS Somerset of the Royal Navy.

The High speed generation 1957-1990

The High speed generation of ships came about as rapid advances in technology allowed for more and more effective roles to be filled by an increasingly smaller fleet. Things such as guided weapons, combat data systems and electronic warfare increased the overall response time both offensively and defensively in order to take effective action due to greater situational awareness. The incorporation of helicopter technology meant even greater roles could be played by increasingly smaller forces. The era of large surface and capital ships came to an end, as the age of modern technology (the software generation) began.

The history of naval warfare is a long and fascinating journey, a journey filled with hearts of oak and true heroism. Now, prepare to live the glory of the sea, full ahead, scrub the decks, coil the ropes and batten down the hatches, War Thunder’s game is stepping up a notch and we feel sure you will enjoy it.



Clayton Remy

Calm seas and a following wind to you all.