(USS) MONITOR *launched*! :-)
January 2nd, 2009 From
>X-Authentication-Warning: ecom5.ecn.bgu.edu: mslrc owned process doing -bs
>Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 17:17:37 -0600 (CST)
>From: “Louis R. Coatney”
>X-Sender: mslrc@ecom5.ecn.bgu.edu
>To: CARDMODEL-L@home.ease.lsoft.com, Mahan@microwrks.com,
> MarHst-L@qucdn.queensu.ca, NavalWarR@aol.com,
> MilHst-L@ukanvm.cc.ukans.edu, CONSIM-L@net.uni-c.dk,
> H-High-S@h-net.msu.edu, H-South@h-net.msu.edu
>Subject: (USS) MONITOR *launched*! 🙂
>Precendence: bulk
>Sender: mahan-owner@microworks.net
>Reply-To: mahan@microworks.net
>
>
> OK! My cardstock model ship plan for the MONITOR is *up* on my
> webpage … at
> www.wiu.edu/users/mslrc/
>
> Follow the instructions carefully, about downloading the file
> and bringing it up on your own viewer, to print it off.
>
> The 1:200 scale is *nice* … although you can reduce it as much
> as you wish, of course.
>
> I had to redesign the hull: the fold-over approach resulted in too
> much warpage, and a waterline hull that large, flat, and thin
> warps easily, unless it is *anchored* to a perfectly flat surface
> during its building.
>
> Otherwise, MONITOR is S I M P L E to build ! ! Trust me. 🙂
>
> I’ll do MERRIMAC/CSS VIRGINIA and the game system right after
> Thanksgiving.
>
> Lou (Coatney, mslrc@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu)
>
>******
>
> I have completed my design of the USS MONITOR (1862). It’s crude
> … designed for ease of assembly … but I can do more later.
>
> It is amazing how hard a time I had getting *any* drawings of MERRIMAC/
> CSS VIRGINIA. (My thanks to my Virginia source. 🙂 ) … and
> it too will be a “simplified” representation.
>
> MONITOR’s turret looks *tiny* on its deck — no wonder the “cheesebox
> on a raft” description.
>
> MERRIMAC/CSS VIRGINIA was actually wierd: Its foredeck and quarter
> deck were *AWASH* … leaving only the armored casemate as its
> flotation. I guess you could say it was a semi-submersible. 🙂
> What’s more, as it used up ammunition … ballast … its more
> vulnerable submarine hull raised up out of the water. (MONITOR
> was a *far* superior, “dedicated” design. Ericson *was* a genius.)
>
> These things really *were* straight out of Jules Verne: “Infernal
> Machines,” to be sure. And the *drama* of the story: … working
> night and day to get to sea before the enemy ‘clad.
>
> Oh, … Did I mention I’m going to be putting M&M up on my webpage
> FOR FREE? 🙂 … along with *very* simple rules, so that kids can
> do down-and-dirty-naval-wargaming-on-the-floor … of their classrooms.
> I wonder if Fred Reisinger might be interested, for ERIC, too.
> (GERMAN EAGLE VS. RUSSIAN BEAR is already on ERIC … at ED 361 256.)
>
> It will be interesting to see if this popularizes the naval history
> (and simulations) at all. If nothing else, it will be a good
> ‘with-the-kids holiday project.
>
> Lou
> Coatney, mslrc@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu
> www.wiu.edu/users/mslrc/