"Pontoon bridges - painted?" Topic

So what parts of the pontoon train was painted? Boats? Planking, or just left unpainted?

I have always assumed that major armies would have boats and pre-cut timber painted as per the famous phrase for recruits, "If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, salute it."

My exception to this is for the WSS where I read the Allied boats were made with copper skins.

An interesting link on pontoon bridges:

link

Judging from period photographs and art, planks were not painted. The boats appear to be natural wood as well. Some colorized ACW photos show the boats either a natural wood color, or aged and weathered to a grayish color. The canvas on canvas covered boats appears to have been left its natural color.

Interesting. I am kind of surprised that the boats were painted, to help protect the wood. Most boats are painted, even smaller water craft. Not painting the planking makes sense though.

Don Troiani's painting "Garryowen" shows the Irish Brigade crossing a pontoon bridge at Fredericksburg, however it's very hard to tell if he painted the float and the planks olive green or not.

As I said, I could understand if the planks were not painted. Paint on wood being splashed with water do not make for good footing.

Very interesting article.

The bridge at Fredericksburg

Take your pick.

Way cool. I like that look.