Secret of CSS Alabama

[robinbird]

This is strictly not WW1 or WW2 but hope it is an acceptable post. CSS Alabama was built in secret by Cammell Laird here on Merseyside. One of its secrets was a funnel that could be lowered to make the warship appear as a civilian sailing ship. Was such a feature used in either war?

 

[_Sarcasticat_]

Given that specific aspect of Alabama's funnel was there to help to camouflage her as a sail-only ship in a time where sail merchant vessels and steam/steam-sail warships were of similar size and naturally looked similar despite the funnel (particularly at distance), I do not believe that having funnels like that of Alabama's would be as useful during a period where warships and merchant vessels are very distinct both in shape and in size.

 

[jstar]

Not a naval person, but you might want to look at 'Q ' ships, and the various forms of camoflague and concealment they used.

From https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Mystery-Ships/, there is this: "Ships were fitted with false funnels, guns were hidden in hen-coops and deck cargo, and the vessels were given hinged sides that could be quickly dropped to reveal the hefty 12 pounder guns ready to fire on the conning tower when the submarine emerged on the surface." And from the same source, some examples.

 

[Dilandu]

This is strictly not WW1 or WW2 but hope it is an acceptable post. CSS Alabama was built in secret by Cammell Laird here on Merseyside. One of its secrets was a funnel that could be lowered to make the warship appear as a civilian sailing ship. Was such a feature used in either war?

I actually suspect that it wasn't done to disguise her as sailship, but to reduce the drag when she sailed under sails. If I recall correctly, retractable funnels were popular in early steam era (as well as screws that could be dismounted from shaft and raised into special well, so they wouldn't create additional drag).

 

[Jemiba]

I would second Dilandu here.
Via https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-gun-that-sank-the-css-alabama.116029/, I found those photos, not showing CSS Alabama, but its conqueror, USS Kearsage. The caption says "Note the pulleys at the top of the funnel for raising an extension for better draught for the furnaces."