Cotton Bales in Battle

Before the Clifton Steamboat Museum was built in 1995, many of the Robert Hass’s models were housed in, my grandfather and museum founder, David Hearn Jr’s office.  As a little girl, I loved to go up to his office to look at all of the models.  I was always fascinated by the tiny details on the model war ships such as the cannon balls or cotton bales on the CSS Bell and the Bayou City.

CSS Josiah A. Bell
Commanded by Captain Charles H. Fowler
Model built by Robert Hass of Lumberton

Why are there cotton bales on a war ship you may ask.  When the Civil War began, the South did not have adequate war ships.  The Confederates transformed steamboats by lining them with cotton bales to protect the crew and sensitive machinery.  The weapons of the age had difficulty penetrating even one of these tightly-packed bales of cotton; when wet they were very difficult to set on fire.  As a current Navy Wife myself, I am glad that todays war ships are protected by steel rather than cotton.

This modern cotton bale weighing 450 pounds demonstrates the size and appearance of a bale of cotton as it may have looked during the Civil War.

Contact us at 409 842-3162 to schedule your tour of these ships and more at the Clifton Steamboat Museum.