CSS Merrimack (Mon-1944)

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With the French surrender in 1940, the materiel that the French had hastily shipped overseas in the weeks before surrender became surplus to requirements for some years. Among this materiel were the five 15" quadruple turrets built for fitting to Alsace class battleships that were under construction. Four of the turrets became the Veracruz class ships while the fifth turret was used to build a monitor. The Comonwealth ships had all used twin turrets, so the Merrimack became virtually two monitors with one ship. Operational requirements for the Merimacks use in the Pacific required more speed and range than the British ships.

The ship was fitted with one of the old tripod masts previously fitted to the Georgia type ships. This gave the ship an old fashioned look but the height above water of the visual spotters gave this ship an advantage of being able to see further inland than the old fire support battleships. Radar for that it is good at sea, cannot see what is over the other side of the hill. Only eyeballs can do that.

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