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The Monitor vessels were of course limited to (calm) coastal waters and were really only possible because of the increases in motive technology. Petroleum fuels were really no-existant at the turn of the century. Coal consumption until metalurgy advances allowed boiler efficiency improvements.
There were turreted designs using sails by the mid 1800s, but they used sails for journeys and steam for tactical manouver.
The trouble with sails is all the string! The re-enforcement and staying of the masts and control of the canvas basically means your centre-line mounted turrets are going to do a lot of damage to your own vessel.
Remember they used chain shot to cripple the ability to move and fight.
When you get right down to it, they did a heck of a job with the technology at hand.
Best
Les
__________________
Best
Les
My train of thought has been replaced by a bumper car.
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