------------------------+-----+-----+---------------------------------- NAME. |Tons.|Guns.| Commanding Officer. ------------------------+-----+-----+---------------------------------- _Screw Gunboat._ | | | | | | Owasco | 507 | 2 |Lieutenant John Guest. | | | _Paddle-Wheel | | | Steamers._ | | | | | | Westfield } | 891 | 6 |Commander William B. Renshaw. Miami } Double- | 730 | 5 |Lieutenant A. Davis Harrell. Clifton } enders. | 892 | 7 |Lieutenant Charles H. Baldwin. Jackson } | 777 | 7 |Lieutenant Selim E. Woodworth. Harriet Lane | 619 | 3 |Lieutenant Jonathan M. Wainwright. ------------------------+-----+-----+---------------------------------- When the ships were inside, the flag-officer issued special instructions for their preparation for the river service. They were stripped to the topmasts, and landed all spars and rigging, except those necessary for the topsails, jib, and spanker. Everything forward was brought close in to the bowsprit, so as not to interfere with the forward range of the battery. Where it could be done, guns were especially mounted on the poop and forecastle, and howitzers placed in the tops, with iron bulwarks to protect their crews from musketry. The vessels were ordered to be trimmed by the head, so that if they took the bottom at all it would be forward. In a rapid current, like that of the Mississippi, a vessel which grounded aft would have her bow swept round at once and fall broadside to the stream, if she did not go ashore. To get her pointed right again would be troublesome; and the same consideration led to the order that, in case of accident to the engines involving loss of power to go ahead, no attempt should be made to turn the ship's head down stream. If the wind served she should be handled under sail; but if not, an anchor should be let go, with cable enough to keep her head up stream while permitting her to drop bodily down. Springs were prepared on each quarter; and, as the ships were to fight in quiet water, at short range, and in the dark, special care was taken so to secure the elevating screws that the guns should not work themselves to too great elevation.