CSS Virginia
United States Navy, then Confederate States Navy
| Type | Ironclad |
|---|---|
| War | American Civil War |
| Main guns | 2 × 7-inch (178 mm) Brooke rifles |
Service
| 1856–1862 | Merrimack | |
| from 1862 | Virginia Rebuilt as an ironclad on the burned hull |
Built on the burned hull of the Union frigate Merrimack. Sank Cumberland and Congress at Hampton Roads and fought Monitor the next day. Blown up by her crew in May 1862 when Norfolk fell.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 2 × 7-inch (178 mm) Brooke rifles
- 2 × 6.4-inch (160 mm) Brooke rifles
- 6 × 9-inch (229 mm) Dahlgren smoothbores
- 2 × 12-pounder (5 kg) howitzers
Armour
- Belt: 1–3 in (25–76 mm)
- Deck: 1 in (25 mm)
- Casemate: 4 in (102 mm)
| Commissioned | February 17, 1862 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | about 4,000 long tons (4,100 t) |
| Length | 275 ft (83.8 m) |
| Speed | 5–6 knots (9.3–11.1 km/h; 5.8–6.9 mph) |
| Complement | about 320 officers and men |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Commissioned
February 17, 1862
8–9 March 1862
Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan, who had no captain under him, was wounded on 8 March; Lt. Catesby ap R. Jones, her executive officer, fought her on 9 March. Lost her ram in Cumberland, had her funnel riddled and two guns disabled; two killed
Fate
Scuttled May 11, 1862
(36°54′25″N 76°20′37″W / 36.90694°N 76.34361°W / 36.90694; -76.34361)