A conning tower was an armoured observation post on a warship from where the vessel was controlled during a battle. The phrase was derived from the verb con which means to navigate. A hoplite wearing a helmet, a breastplate and greaves (and nothing else). ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga class cruiser. ...
Modern warships are typically controlled from a combat information centre, which is a protected location within the hull under such circumstances.
A conning tower can also be the raised bridge of a submarine. In modern submarines, the conning tower is enclosed in a streamlined sail. Command bridge of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier Bridge of the brigantine LEtoile The bridge of a ship is an area or room where the ships navigational controls and other essential equipment related to ship operations are housed and operated. ... USS Los Angeles A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate underwater. ...
This is the conningtower, the abode of Captain Charles Gridley during the Battle of Manila Bay.
The bulkhead of the conningtower is double-walled, with the outer wall being five inches of armor and the inner wall being one inch.
The conningtower contains the main steering battle station (unused in the battle, as Dewey retained steering control in the pilot house), two engine order telegraphs, and voice tubes that communicated with the critical areas of the vessel, such as the engine rooms, steering, etc. Also a fire alarm could be sounded from this location.