Civil War CSS Manassas Ironclad

CSS Manassas was a small Confederate ironclad ram converted from the tug Enoch Train. Its low, rounded armored covering and projecting ram were intended to let it approach an enemy vessel and strike the hull. Manassas fought in the defenses of New Orleans, including the encounters around the Mississippi River forts, but was lost during the Union advance in 1862. The vessel represents an early attempt to exploit steam power and armor through ramming rather than through a large conventional gun battery. At the Head of the Passes in 1861, the ram’s appearance challenged Union vessels with an unfamiliar low-profile armored threat. During the following year’s fighting, stronger Union forces forced their way past the river defenses. Its small size and converted machinery restricted the ambitions embodied in the design.

Finish and color

Supplied unpainted and printed in the selected color. Choose from the available product color options.

Tabletop use

Suitable for period-appropriate custom scenarios in the Global War series of games by Historical Board Gaming and compatible Axis & Allies games. Use suitable scenario or house rules for unit statistics and any technology upgrades. This piece does not supply additional game rules.

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