View source for CSS Missouri

{{Short description|Confederate States Navy casemate ironclad paddle steamer}}
{{For|similarly named ships, the southern U.S. state of Missouri, and other uses|Missouri (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = C.S. Ram MISSOURI.jpg
| Ship caption =Watercolor of ''Missouri''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Confederate States of America|1863}}
|Ship name=''Missouri''
|Ship namesake =[[Missouri]] 
| Ship country = Confederate States
| Ship ordered = 1 November 1862
| Ship laid down = December 1862
| Ship builder = 
| Ship launched = 14 April 1863
| Ship commissioned = 19 September 1863
| Ship fate = *Surrendered, 3 June 1865
*Sold, 29 November 1865
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Ship type = [[Casemate ironclad]]
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|183|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} ([[o/a]])
| Ship beam = {{convert|53|ft|8|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|8|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *Stern [[paddle wheel]]
*2 × [[Marine steam engine|steam engines]]
| Ship speed = {{cvt|10|mph}}
| Ship power = 4 × [[return-flue boiler]]s
| Ship armament = *1 × 11 in (281&nbsp;mm) [[smoothbore]] [[Dahlgren gun]]
*1 × 9 in (229&nbsp;mm) smoothbore Dahlgren gun
*1 × 32 pdr (14.5&nbsp;kg) smoothbore [[siege gun]]
| Ship armor = *[[Casemate]]: {{convert|4.5|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}
*[[Deck (ship)|Deck]]: {{convert|4.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
}}
|}

'''CSS{{refn|Confederate States Ship.<ref>Silverstone, p. xviii</ref>|group=Note}} ''Missouri''''' was a [[casemate ironclad]] built by the [[Confederate States Navy]] during the [[American Civil War]].  Her propulsion machinery was taken from an existing steamboat, her armor was railroad [[T-rail]]s, and she was armed with three captured cannon. She was difficult to steer and leaked badly. Additional equipment had to be added to allow her to reach her intended speed. Completed during 1863 on the [[Red River of the South|Red River]], she was trapped in the [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], area by low water and never saw combat.  The vessel's crew had desertion issues and some of her crewmen were pulled from the army. After traveling downriver for the first time, the ship was surrendered in June 1865 to the [[United States Navy]]—the last Confederate ironclad to be handed over—and sold in November.

==Description==
''Missouri'' was {{convert|183|ft|m|1}} long [[length overall|overall]], had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|53|ft|8|in|m|1}} and a [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|8|ft|6|in|m|1}}. Her [[casemate]] extended for most of the length of the ship and was {{convert|130|ft|6|in|m|1}} long. It partially enclosed her {{convert|22|ft|6|in|m|1|adj=on}} diameter stern [[paddle wheel]] in a recess at the aft end of the casemate; the upper {{convert|8|ft|4|in|m|1}} of the paddle wheel protruded above the casemate and was totally unprotected.<ref>Official Records, pp. 241–242</ref> 

The ship's propulsion machinery was taken from either the steamboats ''Grand Era'' or ''T. W. Roberts''. It consisted of two single-cylinder, [[poppet valve]] [[Marine steam engine|steam engine]]s with a [[bore (engine)|bore]] of {{convert|24|in|cm}} and a {{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|adj=on|1}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]].<ref>Bisbee, pp. 163–164, 167</ref> These used steam provided by four horizontal [[return-flue boiler]]s that were {{convert|26|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|40|in|m|abbr=on|0}} in diameter<ref name=c5>Canney, p. 65</ref> that were connected to a single [[funnel (ship)|funnel]].<ref name=s8>Still, p. 148</ref> Other machinery was taken from the supply vessel CSS ''Paul Jones''.<ref>Chatelain, p. 261</ref> During her initial [[sea trial]]s on 17 June 1863, she had a maximum speed of {{convert|6|mph}} going upstream<ref>Bisbee, p. 165</ref> only half the speed  as had been promised.<ref>Chatelain, p. 262</ref> After the installation of a [[donkey engine]] to power a {{convert|3|ft|adj=on}} fan, the [[bilge pump]]s and a [[capstan (nautical)|capstan]] a few months later, she reached a speed of {{convert|10|mph}} against a {{convert|2|-|3|mph|adj=on}} current.<ref>Bisbee, p. 166</ref>

''Missouri''{{'}}s armor consisted of {{convert|4.5|in|mm|adj=mid|-thick|0}} railroad [[T-rail]]s, laid alternately with the crowns up and down. They were spiked to the backing of {{convert|23|in}} of [[Southern Yellow Pine|yellow pine]], but not closely together enough to give them a solid surface. On the sides of the ship, they were laid diagonally, but were vertical on the bow and stern faces of the casemate. The armor extended approximately {{convert|6|ft}} below the [[waterline]]. The casemate was sloped at an angle of 30°. The [[deck (ship)|deck]] fore and aft of the casemate was also protected by T-rails. At the forward end of the casemate was a [[pilothouse]] that was raised {{convert|19|in}} above the deck.<ref>Official Records, p. 241</ref> She was built of [[green wood|green timber]], [[Caulking|caulked]] with [[cotton]] and was riddled with leaks;<ref>Still, pp. 148–149</ref> the leaking was largely due to the use of the green timber.<ref>Bisbee, p. 167</ref> Despite her three [[rudder]]s, her stern wheel made her difficult to steer.<ref>Still, pp. 148–149</ref>

The casemate had eight [[Glossary of nautical terms (A-L)#G|gun ports]], two in the bow face and three on each side, although only three guns were mounted in the ship. A [[smoothbore]] {{convert|11|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[Dahlgren gun|Dahlgren]] [[pivot gun]] was mounted in the [[Port and starboard|starboard]] forward position. It could fire out of the starboard bow port or the forward starboard [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] port.<ref name=o2>Official Records, p. 242</ref> It weighed approximately {{convert|16000|lb}} and could fire a {{convert|136|lb|1|adj=on}} shell up to a range of {{convert|3650|yd}} at an elevation of 15°.<ref>Olmsted, et al., p. 90</ref> An old 32-pounder (14.5&nbsp;kg) [[siege gun]] was in the equivalent position on the port side of the ship.<ref name=c5/> The characteristics of this gun cannot be reliably determined because the United States produced a multitude of 32-pounder guns before the Civil War, but none of them were designated as siege guns.<ref>Olmsted, et al., pp. 7–59</ref> The third gun was a smoothbore {{convert|9|in|mm|adj=on|0}} Dahlgren pivot gun that could fire out of either of the two aft broadside gun ports. It weighed approximately {{convert|9200|lb}} and could fire a {{convert|72.5|lb|1|adj=on}} shell up to a range of {{convert|3357|yd}} at an elevation of 15°.<ref>Olmsted, et al., p. 87</ref> The two Dahlgren guns had been salvaged from the wreck of the Union ironclad [[USS Indianola|USS ''Indianola'']] and the 32-pounder piece was likely captured from the [[Gosport Navy Yard]].<ref>Chatelain, pp. 263, 294</ref> No guns were provided for the two center broadside gun ports.<ref name=c5/>  Different cannons were originally slated to be assigned to ''Missouri'', but those were intercepted by [[John C. Pemberton]] for use in the defenses of the [[Mississippi]] cities of [[Vicksburg, Mississippi|Vicksburg]] and [[Grand Gulf, Mississippi|Grand Gulf]].<ref>Chatelain, p. 263</ref>

==Construction and service==
The [[Confederate States Department of the Navy|Confederate Navy Department]] authorized the construction of one or more [[ironclad warship]]s at Shreveport on 3 October 1862 and [[Lieutenant (naval)|Lieutenant]] [[Jonathan H. Carter]] contracted for two ships on 1 November.<ref name=ks>Koehler & Stehman, p. 211</ref> One contract was placed with [[riverboat]] [[captain (nautical)|captain]]s Thomas Moore and John Smoker for one ironclad, with the other being awarded to George Fitch; the Fitch ironclad project was postponed in favor of the other and was eventually canceled. No complete blueprint of the ship is known to survive, but it is believed that she was designed by Chief Naval Constructor [[John L. Porter]].<ref>Chatelain, p. 260</ref> The contract with Moore and Smoker specified a cost of $336,500 to be paid in installments.<ref>Jeter, pp. 267–268</ref> The [[keel]] of the first ship was laid in December and she was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 14 April 1863. By June, she was complete enough for a trial run. The ship was turned over to the Confederate Navy on 12 September 1863<ref name=c5/> and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] a week later<ref>Chatelain, pp. 262–263</ref> after the high-water season on the Red River had ended,<ref>Quoted in Still, p. 148</ref> although she did not receive her guns until between November 1863 and March 1864.<ref name=c5/> Carter proposed to name the vessel ''Caddo'' after a [[Caddo|Native American tribe]], but it was instead decided to name her ''Missouri'' after [[Missouri|the state]] and its [[Confederate government of Missouri|erstwhile Confederate government]].<ref>Chatelain, pp. 261–262</ref> [[First Lieutenant]] Charles Fauntleroy was appointed as her captain, although he told Carter that "he hoped the damned boat would sink" and that he "never intended to serve on her if he could help it".<ref>Quoted in Still, p. 148</ref> He desired a command on an ocean-going vessel, rather than his assignment to the inland ironclad.<ref>Chatelain, p. 262</ref> Fauntleroy was transferred in July to command a [[blockade runner]], and Carter, who had previously commanded the gunboat [[CSS General Polk|CSS ''General Polk'']] and was in Shreveport on direct orders from [[Confederate States Secretary of the Navy]] [[Stephen R. Mallory]], was placed in command. Much of ''Missouri''{{'s}} crew was transferred from [[CSS Harriet Lane|CSS ''Harriet Lane'']],<ref>Chatelain, pp. 262–263</ref> while others were taken from the army. In mid-December 1863, Carter requested 72 crewmen, a blacksmith, and a carpenter for ''Missouri''.<ref>Jeter, p. 279</ref>  Crew conditions on the ironclad were unpleasant, and the ship's crew was plagued by desertions among the army men.<ref>Jeter, pp. 279–280</ref> Low water prevented ''Missouri'' from playing any part in the [[Red River Campaign]] of early 1864.<ref>Still, p. 149</ref>  Her movements were also hampered by a lack of fuel.<ref>Bisbee, p. 166–167</ref> In September, Carter commanded an unsuccessful attempt to seize the Federal [[gunboat]] {{USS|Rattler|1862|6}} using men from the crews of ''Missouri'' and [[CSS Webb|CSS ''Webb'']].<ref>Official Records, Vol. 26, p. 540</ref>

In March 1865, the river began to rise and ''Missouri'' was able to leave the Shreveport area for the first time. She reached [[Alexandria, Louisiana]], on 8 April and anchored where she could defend the town.<ref>Still, p. 265</ref> In order to travel to Alexandria, fuel for the vessel had to be requisitioned from plantations along the way.<ref>Chatelain, p. 280</ref> Part of her crew was then transferred to ''Webb'',<ref>Chatelain, p. 282</ref> which made an unsuccessful attempt to escape into the [[Gulf of Mexico]] on April 23.<ref>Chatelain, pp. 283–286</ref> Carter surrendered the ship to Union forces on 3 June, the last Confederate ironclad to surrender.<ref>Still, p. 265</ref> After her armor was removed, ''Missouri'' was sold at public auction on 29 November at [[Mound City, Illinois]]<ref name=ks/> to be [[ship breaking|scrapped]].<ref>Bisbee, p. 168</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}  

==Citations==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last1=Bisbee |first1=Saxon T. |title=Engines of Rebellion: Confederate Ironclads and Steam Engineering in the American Civil War |publisher=University of Alabama Press |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama |isbn=978-0-81731-986-1|date=2018}}
*{{cite book |last1=Canney |first1=Donald L. |title=The Confederate Steam Navy 1861-1865 |date=2015 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing|location=Atglen, Pennsylvania |isbn=978-0-7643-4824-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Chatelain |first1=Neil P. |title=Defending the Arteries of Rebellion: Confederate Naval Operations in the Mississippi River Valley, 1861{{endash}}1865 |date=2020 |publisher=Savas Beatie |location=El Dorado Hills, California |isbn=978-1-61121-510-6}}
* {{cite journal |last=Jeter |first=Katherine Brash |title=Against All Odds: Lt. Jonathan H. Carter, CSN, and His Ironclad |date=1987 |journal=Louisiana History |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=263–288}}
*{{cite journal|last1=Koehler|first1=R. B.|first2=Dean|last2=Stehman|date=1987|title=Question 17/86 |journal=Warship International|name-list-style=amp|volume=XXIV |issue=2 |pages=211–212 |issn=0043-0374}}
* {{cite book|last1=Olmstead|first1=Edwin|last2=Stark|first2=Wayne E.|last3=Tucker |first3=Spencer C.|title=The Big Guns: Civil War Siege, Seacoast, and Naval Cannon |year=1997 |publisher=Museum Restoration Service|location=Alexandria Bay, New York|isbn=0-88855-012-X|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H.|title=Civil War Navies 1855-1883 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York|year=2006|series=The U.S. Navy Warship Series |isbn=0-415-97870-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Still |first=William N. Jr. |author-link=William N. Still Jr. |year=1985 |title=Iron Afloat: The Story of the Confederate Armorclads |orig-date=1971 |location=Columbia, South Carolina |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |isbn=0-87249-454-3}}
* {{cite book|last=United States|first=Naval War Records Office|title=Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion|url=http://dlxs2.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moawar;cc=moawar;view=toc;subview=short;idno=ofre0027|series=Series I|volume=27: Naval Forces on Western Waters (January 1, 1865 - September 6, 1865); Supply Vessels (January 1, 1865 - September 6, 1865)|year=1917|publisher=Government Printing Office|location=Washington, D. C.}}

==External links==
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/cfa7/missouri.htm United States Naval Historical Center - CSS ''Missouri'']
*[http://www.irononthered.com/missouri.htm CSS Missouri on www.irononthered.com]

{{CSN ironclads}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Missouri}}
[[Category:Ironclad warships of the Confederate States Navy]]
[[Category:1863 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Paddle steamers of the United States]]