Today in History:

Nashville (1863-1865)

CSS Nashville, an ironclad side-wheel steamer, was built at Montgomery, Alabama. Launched in mid-1863, she was taken to Mobile, Alabama, for fitting out, including the addition of armor plate taken from the dismantled ironclad CSS Baltic. However, this work had not been completed at the end of the Civil War, and Nashville was surrendered to Federal forces on 10 May 1865. She was taken into the U.S. Navy after the War, but remained incomplete and was sold at New Orleans in November 1867.

This page features our only views of the Confederate ironclad ram Nashville.

Photo #: NH 76387

Confederate Ironclad Nashville


Drawing made circa 1865. The incomplete Nashville was surrendered to Union forces on 10 May 1865.
The original drawing is in color. Written in pencil in its lower left is "Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, with respectful regards, His Obdt. Servant, Thornton A. Jenkins, Commodore, U.S. Navy.".

The original is plan # 81-12-2c in Record Group 19 at the U.S. National Archives.



Photo #: NH 45683

Confederate Ironclad Nashville


Contemporary sketch of the ship. The incomplete Nashville was surrendered to Union forces on 10 May 1865.



Photo #: NH 45682

Confederate Ironclad Nashville


Contemporary sketch of the ship.