U.S. Civil war Ironclad paddler query

[ray dillon]

Hi,
  I intend building an ironclad paddler of the aforementioned period.In the interests of historical accuracy,I want to be as authentic as possible-two related Q`s:
   First:does anybody know what type of connections were used to fix the respective ends of the funnel/mast stays.....bullseyes and D shackles?.......adjustable screw-type shackles (bottlescrews)?...........hearts and lanyards?
   Secondly:were the stays made of hemp or stranded steel/iron.
 I can`t find any info about such minutiae anywhere,so any suggestions as to what would be appropriate for the Civil War ironclads would be greatfully received.
                                                                                                     Ray.