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Admiralty internal memo from late 1862


On the lessons of the American War and related events

On Strategy

Blockading is and remains an effective economic weapon.
When a foreign power has a large navy, an early step in the blockade is to pin as many vessels as possible in port.
Identification of major ports is essential, and the blockade should start with the most important ports first.
Ships of the corvette class are important for blockading work and for escort through enemy commerce raiding.
When blockading an area containing shipyards, provision should be made of at least one heavy ship of force for each shipyard, with a minimum of one spare vessel in case of rotation. This should be in addition to the normal estimates of force required. Ironclads are desired if possible, and it should be endeavoured that the dispatch of such ships of force not harm the defence of the United Kingdom or her colonies.
Commerce raiding has become less effective against steam vessels. Convoy should only be considered for vital cargoes.
The telegraph should be extended from the United Kingdom to Halifax as soon as possible.
The canals of Canada should be expanded. Alternative routes should be provided if possible.
Sail is still vital for ships expected to cruise.



On Defences

Reduction of fortifications offers greatly increased freedom of action in maintaining a blockade.
Fortifications not of the most modern type are easily reduced by ships with modern weapons. All our own forts should be built with room for growth in weapons and armour.
Small harbour defence ironclads are highly useful as they restrict the freedom of an attacker to reduce forts.
Forts should be able to prevent the entry of shells fired from any range their own guns cannot successfully command.
Mine belts are useful, but degrade quickly when submerged.


On Present Weapons

The smooth-bore cannon armed with shot is not effective against enemy ships, except at close range; exception is made for the 68-lber and 100-lber, which are high velocity weapons able to effectively pierce most modern armour.
Smooth-bore cannon armed with shell are able to do progressive damage to enemy ships.
Light wooden ships are much more vulnerable than heavy wooden ships to both shells and shot.
The contact fuze is far superior to the time fuze for shells.
All ships should carry some armour penetrating shells or shot for their heaviest guns.
The breech loading rifle is effective against wooden and unarmoured vessels at very long range.
The breech loading rifle is ineffective against armour due to the small size of the charge.
The breech loading rifle is extremely effective against fortifications of the current type.
The Martin's Shell is very effective when used on a wooden target.


On Future Building

The wooden ship is still useful, but is no longer a primary battle-line unit. Ironclad vessels are essential.
Plans should be drawn up for conversion in time of war of some two dozen suitable steam line of battle ships.
The ram has a place in modern combat, but that place is not as the primary weapon.
No more heavy wooden vessels should be constructed.
Iron hulled vessels should be investigated for all naval tasks.
The turret should be viewed as a replacement for the pivot gun, as a way to employ very heavy weapons on both broadsides.
Wooden backing for iron armour is critical.
Specialized ships built to defeat mines should be constructed.


Additional notes

The Great Eastern should be retained as a fleet auxiliary.
Experiments are required on the reaction of wooden, iron and part-armoured hulls to Palliser's Shells.
Procurement of a sturdy, reliable rifled breech loader capable of firing Palliser's Shells at a high powder load is seen as important, regardless of weight. (This last is underlined twice.)



Not all of these conclusions are correct, as it will later be determined; however, many of them are solidly reasoned.