the ships

A logging of and – as I have time – details about the ships of naval importance during the American Civil War.

Chicora

One of two ironclads paid for by the ladies of Charleston who donated valuables to help pay for construction (see Palmetto State)
Put in action in late 1862 to help break the blockade of Charleston’s waterways
Sunk by Confederates in 1864 (? validate) to avoid capture

Built in England for the Confederate States of America in 1862
Screw sloop-of-war
A commercial raider. Claimed 60 prizes [and $6M]
Sunk off the coast of Cherbourg, France by the USS Kearsarge
Captained by Raphael Semmes who, along with 41 crew, escaped to England after ships destruction
Remains discovered in 1984 by the French Navy mine hunter Circe.

Photo Credit: CSS Alabama (1862-1864) – U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph [#NH85593-KN]

Submarine built by Horace L Hunley
First submarine to destroy an enemy ship
All three crews died aboard although several from the first crew were able to escape.
Lost off of Charleston after sinking the USS Housatonic with a spar torpedo
Remains discovered in 1995 by NUMA
Recovered August 8, 2000

Photo credit: Confederate Submarine H.L. Hunley (1863-1864) U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph [#NH999]

USS Keokuk

USS Monitor

USS Nahant

Palmetto State

One of two ironclads paid for by the ladies of Charleston who donated valuables to help pay for construction (see Chicora)
Put in action in late 1862 to help break the blockade of Charleston’s waterways
Sunk by Confederates in 1864 (? validate) to avoid capture

USS Passaic