Armored Steam Ram

these are pictures of the USN's armored steam ram USS Katahdin 1896-1909. in the latter part of the 19th century there was a movement in many naval circles to revive the ancient ram in steam form. Katahdin was the USN's version. entirely impractical in an age of armored heavily armed steam ships the USN and the Royal Navy both built examples. the main problem was they weren't fast enough to catch and ram anything like a battleship or armored cruiser before they were sunk by gunfire. in any case the modern battleships or cruisers of the time could outrun the ram. good thing they didn't build but the one for the USN. the sailors hated it, in any kind of sea the water washed over the vessel and everyone had to remain below in the heat and humidity, not pleasant. the Katahdin was mostly kept in reserve and finally sunk by gunfire as a target ship. the last picture is a drawing showing the Katahdin doing what she was meant for but never accomplished.