ironclads
Metal-plated warships
Ironclads were warships of the mid-19th century protected by iron or steel armor plating, revolutionary in naval warfare because they could withstand cannon fire that would destroy wooden vessels.
The term evokes the American Civil War, when the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia famously clashed.
As an adjective, ironclad means impossible to break or dispute: an ironclad contract, an ironclad alibi.
Medium-sized naval warship
- man-of-warArmed sailing vessel
- dreadnoughtHeavily armored warship type
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
- gunboatSmall armed naval vessel
cruiser · corvette · sloop-of-war · ram
Surface metal application
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- protectionGuarding against harm
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- shieldingProtecting from harm
casemate · turret · hull · riveted · laminated · waterline · citadel
Commitment to wed or attend
- cannonadeSustained artillery fire
- broadsideFierce written assault
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
ramming · gunfire · salvo · naval tactics · blockade running · close quarters · point-blank · shell
Refusing to give way
- impenetrableImpossible to pass through
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
- invincibleIncapable of being defeated
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
resolute · indomitable · airtight · bulletproof · watertight · binding · unassailable
frigate
Medium-sized naval warship
- man-of-warArmed sailing vessel
- dreadnoughtHeavily armored warship type
- battleshipArmored naval capital vessel
gunboat · cruiser · corvette · sloop-of-war · ram
plating
Surface metal application
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- protectionGuarding against harm
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
shielding · casemate · turret · hull · riveted · laminated · waterline · citadel
engagement
Commitment to wed or attend
- cannonadeSustained artillery fire
- broadsideFierce written assault
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
bombardment · ramming · gunfire · salvo · naval tactics · blockade running · close quarters · point-blank · shell · shot
unyielding
Refusing to give way
- impenetrableImpossible to pass through
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
- invincibleIncapable of being defeated
steadfast · resolute · indomitable · airtight · bulletproof · watertight · binding · unassailable
- Confederate WarfareRobert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, defensive warfare, cavalry raids, blockade running
- 1860sAbraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Appomattox, Confederacy, Confederate States
- naval historybattleships, naval battles, naval history, admiral, battleship
- naval warfarenaval battles, naval battle, battleship, destroyer, sea battles
- Asian NaviesPLAN, destroyers, frigates, submarines, submarine
- Civil War ShipsMonitor, Merrimack, Virginia, monitors, gunboats
ironcladswooden ships
Vessels built from lumber
wooden warships · wooden hulls · sailing ships · clipper ships
ironcladsships of the line
Heavy warships forming battle formations
tall ships · galleons · man-of-war · HMS Victory · square-riggers
- ironclad shipsMetal-hulled military vessels