Shipwreck of the CSS Louisiana-- Part 2: Blown Up By Her Crew

Mechanics worked day and night on the east bank of the Mississippi River trying to get the vessel's machinery to work.

Trapped after the Union fleet passed by in April 24, 1862.  Hit by several shells while moored to the riverbank.  Was set afire near Fort St. Philip by its crew under orders id Captain John K. Mitchell on April 28, 1862, after Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson surrendered.

Was blown up with 10,000 pounds of gunpowder at 10:45 a.m. near Fort St. Philip's water battery and drifted downstream.  One soldier in Fort St. Philip was killed and one was wounded by fragments from the explosion.

In 1981, Clive Cussler used a gradiometer in a swamp off the main river channel and found a wreck directly off Fort St. Philip that he thought was the CSS Louisiana.

--Old B-Runner