CSS Arkansas

A drawing of C. S. S. Arkansas by R. G. Skerrett
History
Confederate States of AmericaConfederate States
NameArkansas
NamesakeState of Arkansas
OrderedAugust 24, 1861
BuilderJohn T. Shirley, Memphis, Tennessee
Laid downOctober 1861
LaunchedApril 1862
CommissionedApril 25, 1862
FateDestroyed by her crew, August 6, 1862
General characteristics
Class and typeArkansas-class ironclad
Displacement1,200 long tons (1,200 t) (designed)
Length165 ft (50.3 m)
Beam35 ft (10.7 m)
Draft11.5 ft (3.5 m) (designed)
Installed power6 boilers
Propulsion2 shafts; 2 direct-acting steam engines
Speed8 mph (7.0 kn)
Complement232 officers and men
Armament
Armor
  • Casemate: Railroad iron over wood and compressed cotton
  • Pilothouse: 2 in (51 mm)
  • Casemate roof: 0.5 in (13 mm)
  • Casemate stern: Thin iron sheets

CSS Arkansas was the lead ship of her class of two casemate ironclads built for the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. Completed in 1862, she saw combat in the Western Theater when she steamed through a United States Navy fleet at Vicksburg in July. Arkansas was set on fire and destroyed by her crew after her engines broke down several weeks later. Her remains lie under a levee above Baton Rouge, Louisiana at 30°29′14″N 91°12′5″W / 30.48722°N 91.20139°W / 30.48722; -91.20139.