The CSS Selma was originally named CSS Florida, but the name was changed when the cruiser entered service and took the name. The Selma was commanded by Lt. Peter U. Murphey (Murphy).
On February 5, 1863, the Selma was steaming down Mobile Bay with 100 extra men, looking to board a blockader and capture it. It hit a snag and sank in 8-foot deep water. It was pumped out and repaired and back in service by February 13th.
The CSS Selma was plagued with desertion problems and at one point, its crew was reported to be down to just 15.
The following year, it was one of just four Confederate ships defending Mobile Bay during Farragut's attack: CSS Morgan, CSS Gaines and the ironclad CSS Tennessee. The Selma was raked by the USS Hartford in the battle and then Farragut ordered the USS Metacomet cut loose (it had been lashed alongside the Hartford for the passage by Fort Morgan) and it chased the Selma into shallow water after an hour-long running fight.
The Confederate ship surrendered with the loss of seven men killed and eight wounded, including Murphey. The CSS Selma then became the USS Selma for a year' service.
This is a follow up entry to a story from May 20, 2013, in this blog and October 12, 2011, in my Saw the Elephant Blog. It all started with a lawsuit for Lt. Murphey's sword at Macon, Georgia's Cannonball House.
Don't Get Snagged. --Old B-R'er
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