1-153-610 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'St Louis', Union gunboat, American Civil War, 1861-1865. The earliest ironclad gunboat designed by American engineer James B Eads (1820-1887) to be employed by the Union side. Although the 'St Louis' was sunk by a torpedo in 1863, Eads' ironclad ships were of considerable military value to the Union.