CSS Chicora
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| History | |
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| Name: | Chicora |
| Ordered: | 1862 |
| Laid down: | March 1862 |
| Commissioned: | November 1862 |
| Decommissioned: | February 18, 1865 |
| Fate: | Burned to prevent capture |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | approximately 850 tons |
| Length: | 172.5 ft (52.6 m) |
| Beam: | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Draft: | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam engine |
| Speed: | 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) |
| Complement: | 150 officers and men |
| Armament: |
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CSS Chicora was a Confederate ironclad ram that fought in the American Civil War. She was built under contract at Charleston, South Carolina in 1862. James M. Eason built her to John L. Porter's plans, using up most of a $300,000 State appropriation for construction of marine batteries; Eason received a bonus for "skill and promptitude." Her iron shield was 4 inches (102 mm) thick, backed by 22 inches (559 mm) of oak and pine, with 2-inch (51 mm) armor at her ends. Keeled in March, she was commissioned in November, Commander John Randolph Tucker, CSN assuming command.
In thick, predawn haze on January 31, 1863, Chicora and CSS Palmetto State raided the Federal blockading force of unarmored ships lying just outside the entrance to Charleston Harbor. With ram and gun, Palmetto State forced USS Mercedita to surrender, then disabled USS Keystone State, who had to be towed to safety. Chicora meanwhile engaged other Union ships in a long-range gun duel, from which she emerged unscathed to withdraw victoriously to shelter inside the harbor.
She took part in the defense of the forts at Charleston on April 7 when they were attacked by a squadron of ironclad monitors under Rear Admiral Samuel Francis du Pont, USN. The Federal ships were forced to retire for repairs and did not resume the action.
Chicora was actively employed in the fighting around Charleston during 1863 and 1864. Her valuable services included the transporting of troops during the evacuation of Morris Island, and the bombardment of Forts Sumter, Gregg, and Wagner. In August 1863 she had the distinction of furnishing the first volunteer officer and crew for the Confederate Submarine Torpedo Boat H. L. Hunley.
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