CSS Arkansas (wreck) (Sunrise, Louisiana)

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C.S.S. Arkansas. Confederate ironclad scuttled by her crew, August 6, 1862. Wreck currently buried under levee at this point on the west bank of the Mississippi.

Construction began on the ironclad in Memphis, TN late 1861. Towed to Yazoo City, MS for completion in order to prevent her from falling into Union hands prior to the loss of Memphis. Work completed and ship commissioned late May, 1862.

Actively participated against Farragut’s squadron blockading Vicksburg, MS during early summer 1862. Ordered to support CS land operations against Baton Rouge August, 1862.

As was the case with many Confederate ironclads, her Achilles heel was her powerplant, which again failed as she was moving to intercept Union vessels at Baton Rouge. Crew was ordered ashore, after which the ship was torched in order to prevent her capture. Arkansas drifted downstream until the fire reached her magazines and blew the ship apart, August 6, 1862.

Wreck located by author Clive Cussler and NUMA archeological team in November, 1981.
www.numa.net/expeditions/manassas_louisiana_arkansas.ht...

 shipwreckconfederateinteresting placeAmerican Civil War 1861-1865