Virginia II
CSS Virginia II, a 197-foot long ironclad ram, was built at Richmond, Virginia, and completed in 1864. She served on the James River for her entire career. During 1864, the ironclad participated in engagements at Trent's Reach on 21 June, Dutch Gap on 13 August and 22 October and Signal Hill on 17 August.
On 23-24 January 1865, Virginia II took part in a Confederate Navy attempt to force the obstructions at Trent's Reach and attack Federal bases further down the river. This daring effort failed when CSS Richmond and Virginia II went aground. They were only able to escape after suffering considerable damage from the fire of USS Onondaga and shore batteries. When Richmond was evacuated on 3 April 1865, CSS Virginia II was one of several Confederate Navy ships that had to be destroyed to prevent their capture.
This page features all our views related to CSS Virginia II.
|
Photo #: NH 76391 Confederate 180-Foot Ironclad Gunboat Plan drawing, including the inboard profile, decks and two hull cross sections, inscribed at the top: "180 Ft. Iron Clad Gun Boat. As Altered July 6th 1863 ... Wm. A. Graves". This plan may represent CSS Virginia (# 2). For reference, see "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships", Volume II, page 490. The original is plan # 81-12-2E in Record Group 19 at the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 106KB; 1200 x 520 pixels |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 59187 "The Rebel Iron-Clad Fleet Forcing the Obstructions in James River", 23 January 1865 Line engraving, based on a sketch by A.R. Waud, published in "Harper's Weekly", 11 February 1865, page 81. It depicts the Confederate ironclads Virginia II, Richmond and Fredericksburg attempting to run past the obstructions at Trent's Reach to attack Federal positions along the James River. |
 |
|
Photo #: LC-B8171-3350 CSS Jamestown and CSS Virginia II Sunk in the James River, Virginia, near Drewry's Bluff, circa April 1865. Jamestown, whose paddlebox tops are visible in the center, was sunk as an obstruction off Drewry's Bluff on 15 May 1862. Virginia II was destroyed when the Confederates evacuated Richmond on 3 April 1865. Photographed by Matthew Brady. Collections of the Library of Congress. |
 |
|
Photo #: LC-B8171-3152 CSS Virginia II (1864-1865) Smokestack removed from the ship after it had been damaged. Probably photographed at Richmond, Virginia, sometime after the city was captured by Union Forces in April 1865. Photographed by Matthew Brady. Collections of the Library of Congress. |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 42239 CSS Virginia II (1864-1865) Smokestack removed from the ship after it had been damaged. Probably photographed at Richmond, Virginia, sometime after the city was captured by Union Forces in April 1865. The original photograph is the left side of a stereograph pair. A stereo pair version of this image is available as Photo # NH 42239-A Online Image of stereo pair: 65KB; 675 x 360 pixels |
 |
