Thomas Gregg's Ironclad

grabcad

Thomas Gregg's Armor Clad Ball-proof Vessel model (US Patent X2081, 1814) was created in response to a congressional call for steam-powered warships during the War of 1812. Although never accepted by the U.S. government and no full-scale ship was produced, a model was filed at the US Patent Office. Tragically, this model was destroyed in the 1836 patent office fire and its patent renewed in 1837. As of now, no known model exists. Ahead of its time, its design resembled Confederate Ironclad CSS Merrimac, with similarities noted during the Civil War, and credit given to Gregg. One such article appeared in the New York Times. The model was made based on patent diagrams and shared many features with Robert Fulton's floating battery, Demologos, authorized for U.S. government construction in 1814 due to similar congressional calls that inspired Gregg's design. Patent specifications detailed the angled frame, elevating timbers, under-directing lower timbers, top deck, and gun-deck with adjustable bores. The power was applied between keels with a concave formed for receiving paddles, allowing reverse propulsion. The timber elevation and gearing were proportioned by the keel and tonnage of the ship.