Laird, Son & Company were noted British shipbuilders known for their structurally sound and sometimes innovative vessels. From 1829 to 1947 over 1,100 ships were launched into the Mersey River from their facilities at Birkenhead near in Liverpool.
One of these ships was the steamer Denbigh built in 1860 which became a famous blockade-runner and the CSS Alabama.
In 1863, Laird Sons were building iron hulled, armored warships that were intended for the Confederacy, but never delivered. They were known as the so-called Laird Rams. Their construction caused an international dispute which was only resolved when the British Navy seized them and put them into service as the HMS Wivern and HMS Scorpion (originally the CSS Mississippi and CSS North Carolina respectively).
They both featured twin turrets and telescoping funnels along with 3 to 4.5 inch side armor. They were superior to anything the US Navy had at the time. Both remained in service with the Royal Navy into the 20th century.
Sure Could've Used These Two Ships. --B-R'er
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