CSS Chicora Civil War Ironclad

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.

She was destroyed by the Confederates when Charleston was evacuated on February 18, 1865.

CSA Civil War Ironclads
CSS Albemarle
CSS Arkansas
CSS Atlanta
CSS Charleston
CSS Columbia
CSS Fredericksburg
CSS Georgia
CSS Huntsville
CSS Louisiana
CSS Mannassas
CSS Muscogee/JacksonCSS Nashville
CSS Neuse
CSS Palmetto State
CSS Richmond
CSS Savannah
CSS Tennessee
CSS Texas
CSS Virginia
CSS Virginia II
US Civil War Ironclads
USS Cairo
USS Monitor

The CSS Chicora was destroyed to prevent capture on the Cooper River above Charleston Harbor on February 18, 1865. The wreck removed shortly after 1870.

These museum-quality scale Civil War replicas of one of history's most famous warships produced as Limited Edition ironclad models of the famous CSS Virginia, are certain to enthrall even the most discriminating naval historian or Civil War buff