- Date:
- 1865
- Original Format:
- Carte de Visite
- Item#:
- MES16438
- Photographer:
- H. C. Phillips
Charles Ellet (1810-1862)
Ellet became one of the country's outstanding engineers. Ellet also developed the idea of the "ram-boat." He was ignored until the Confederate ironclad "Merrimac" demonstrated the efficiency of the ram in 1862. Two weeks later Ellet was a colonel, preparing a ram-fleet. After sinking four Confederate boats at the Battle of Memphis, he received the city's surrender. Injured, Ellet died as his boat touched shore.