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CSS Tennessee, a 1273-ton ironclad ram, was built at
Selma, Alabama. Launched in February 1863, her outfitting was
completed at Mobile, where she was commissioned in February 1864.
As flagship of Admiral Franklin
Buchanan, she was by far the strongest unit of the naval part
of the defenses of Mobile Bay. To counter her, the Federal Navy
had to bring ironclad monitors to the Gulf of Mexico.
On 5 August 1864, Tennessee battled against Rear Admiral
David Glasgow Farragut's fleet as it steamed past Forts Morgan
and Gaines into Mobile Bay. Though she was able to inflict some
damage on the Federal ships, Farragut successfully entered the
Bay and anchored beyond the reach of the Confederate forts' guns.
Admiral Buchanan then took his ship up toward the Union warships,
engaging them in an intense battle that ended with Tennessee
surrounded by her enemies and battered into surrender.
The former Confederate ironclad was promptly taken into the
Union Navy as USS Tennessee. With her combat damage quickly
repaired, she was employed during operations to capture Fort Morgan
later in August. In the autumn of 1864, Tennessee was sent
to New Orleans, Louisiana, for further repairs. She subsequently
served with the U.S. Navy's Mississippi Squadron until after the
end of the Civil War. Decommissioned in August 1865, USS Tennessee
was sold for scrapping in November 1867.
This page features, or provides links to, all our views of
the Confederate ironclad ram Tennessee, including those
taken after she became a U.S. Navy ship.
For other views relating to CSS Tennessee, see:
CSS Tennessee -- in the Battle
of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
The Online Library also contains pictures of the following
officers who served on board CSS Tennessee:
Admiral
Franklin Buchanan, CSN;
Commander
James D. Johnston, CSN; and
Surgeon
Daniel B. Conrad, CSN.
Photo #: NH 83805-KN (Color)
CSS Tennessee (1864-1864)
Watercolor by F. Muller, circa 1900.
Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.
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The following images depict Tennessee after she was
captured in the Battle of Mobile Bay and taken into the U.S. Navy:
Photo #: NH 60335
USS Tennessee (1864-1867)
Port quarter view, probably taken off New Orleans, Louisiana,
circa 1865.
She was formerly CSS Tennessee (1864-1864).
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Photo #: NH 51951
USS Tennessee (1864-1867)
Photographed circa 1865, probably off New Orleans, Louisiana.
She was formerly CSS Tennessee (1864-1864).
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Photo #: NH 60336
USS Tennessee (1864-1867)
Port broadside view, probably taken off New Orleans, Louisiana,
circa 1865.
She was formerly CSS Tennessee (1864-1864).
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Photo #: NH 60337
USS Tennessee (1864-1867)
Starboard side view, probably taken in the Mississippi River,
circa 1865.
She was formerly CSS Tennessee (1864-1864).
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Photo #: NH 61434
USS Tennessee (1864-1867, formerly CSS Tennessee)
Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 3 February
1866 as part of a group of engravings entitled "The Iron-Clad
Navy of the United States".
See Photo # NH 73986
for the entire group of engravings.
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The following image shows a gun that was captured with CSS
Tennessee in 1864
Photo #: KN-27603 (Color)
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Old weapons on exhibit in East Willard Park, circa Summer 1978.
This area was rebuilt to another design in 1981-82, with the
artifacts rearranged. Many of them, including all the missiles,
were removed in or before the year 2000.
The gun in the center is a 10-inch Brooke smoothbore from CSS
Columbia. A Confederate 5-inch Whitworth rifle is at right,
and a double-banded 7-inch Brooke rifle (captured on CSS Tennessee)
is at left.
A prototype launcher for "Terrier" missiles is behind
these guns. In the center background is a "Regulus II"
missile. Buildings 111 and 106 are in the distance.
This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center
in January 1979.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph.
Online Image: 143KB; 740 x 595 pixels
Reproductions of this image may also be available through
the National Archives photographic
reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-27603 |
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For other views relating to CSS Tennessee, see:
CSS Tennessee -- in the Battle
of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
The Online Library also contains pictures of the following
officers who served on board CSS Tennessee:
Admiral
Franklin Buchanan, CSN;
Commander
James D. Johnston, CSN; and
Surgeon
Daniel B. Conrad, CSN.
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