John V. Quarstein

IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED
This Civil War lecture will take place in person in the Museum’s McMullen classroom and livestreamed simultaneously. Advance registration is required.

Presenter: John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center

About the lecture:
When the Civil War began, St. Louis industrialist James B. Eads recognized the need to control the many rivers flowing north to south. Eads offered the US Navy one of his workboats; instead, he was referred to the US Army. Commander John Rodgers, USN, was assigned to work with Eads to construct gunboats on the Mississippi. The pair established design criteria for building casemate ironclads, including speed, draft, motive power, and armament. Naval architect Samuel Moore Pook was given this information, and he developed the City-class of ironclads. Because of their distinctive shape, these seven vessels were called “Pook Turtles.” Ironclads like the USS Cairo, USS Mound City, and USS Carondelet provided the Western Gunboat Flotilla the protection and armament necessary to take control of the Mississippi River and its many tributaries. These vessels ensured the preservation of the Union.

Attendees are welcome to send any comments or questions to John, and he will answer them following his talk.

Image credit: Bombardment and Capture of Island Number Ten, 7 April 1862. Naval History and Heritage Command KN 96.

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Pre-registration is required.
For additional assistance, questions or support, please contact us at: [email protected].

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