Some More on the CSS Chattahooche

From the June 6, 2023, Georgia Public Radio "Are sunken ships from the Civil War still lying in the Chattahoochee?  What a historian says"  by Kelby Hutchinson.

During the Battle of Columbus (Georgia) on April 16, 1865 (Lee had surrendered in Virginia on April 9), two Confederate warships were destroyed.  One was the ironclad CSS Jackson (also called the CSS Muscogee).  The other was the CSS Chattahoochee.

Part of the CSS Chattahoochee still remains at the bottom of its namesake river.  The bow end is still somewhere down below.  The National Civil War Naval Museum is in possession of the stern portion.  The ship was set on fire by its own crew to prevent it falling into enemy hands.

In 1984, East Carolina University and the Confederate Naval Museum (as the National Civil War Naval Museum was then known as) set out to locate the remains of the Chattahoochee, determine its condition and figure out its potential for research, recovery and exhibition.

That report in next post.

The CSS Chattahoochee, Certainly a Hard-Luck Ship.  --Old B-R'er

Ironclad CSS Jackson and CSS Chattahoochee Destroyed at Columbus, Georgia

APRIL 17TH, 1865:  The Confederate ironclad Jackson (previously CSS Muscogee) was destroyed at Columbus, Georgia, after Union forces overran Southern defenses at the city in an attack that began the preceding night.

Major General George H. Thomas reported:  "The rebel ram Jackson, nearly ready for sea, and carrying six 7-inch [rifled] guns, fell into our hands and was destroyed, as well as the navy yard, founderies, the arsenal and armory, sword and pistol factory... all of which were burned."

Twelve miles below the city the Union troops found the burned hulk of CSS Chattahoochee, which the Confederates themselves had destroyed.  The navy yard at Columbus had been a key facility in the building of machinery for Southern ironclads.

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago-- February 26th to 27th, 1864: CSS Muscogee

FEBRUARY 26-27TH, 1864: Boat expedition from the USS Tahoma destroyed a large Confederate government salt works on Goose Creek near St. Marks, Florida. //// FEBRUARY 27TH, 1864: The USS Roebuck seized British blockade-running sloop Nina with cargo of liquors and coffee and schooner Rebel with cargo of salt, liquor and cotton at Indian Inlet, Florida. //// Lt. David Porter McCorkle, CSN, wrote Catesby ap R. Jones about the progress on the CSS Muscogee at the Columbus, Georgia, naval station: "The Muscogee draws too much water; she has to be altered. It will be a long time before the Muscogee will be ready...." On 16 March, the editor of the Columbus, Georgia, Enquirer bitterly invited the public to "take a stroll below the wharf to see how much money has been wasted on a slanting 'discular looking craft." The Muscogee looked like an ark, and "nothing short of a flood will float it." //// --Old B-Runner