The CSS Arkansas was arguably the most famous Confederate ironclad operating on rivers of the western theater.  She helped proved the value of ironclad concept to the Confederates through her exceptional performance against superior Federal forces in actions on the Yazoo and Mississippi Rivers.

Although she achieved her fame on rivers outside of Tennessee, readers may not realize that the Arkansas began her career in Tennessee.  Her keel was originally laid down at Fort Pickering, just south of Memphis, in October 1861, by J. T. Shirley.  In fact, she was one of a planned pair of such vessels scheduled to be completed by December 1861.

As with many other Confederate construction projects, scarcity of critical materials and the difficulty of delivering those materials seriously delayed completion of the large twin-screw ironclad.  In addition, there was a severe shortage of workmen skilled in the various trades needed to complete the work.  Perhaps General Beauregard's offer of free army workers might have speeded up the work, but Shipley did not take advantage of the offer.

When New Orleans fell in April 1861, the Confederates decided to move the incomplete Arkansas to a safer location (her less complete sister ship was destroyed on the stocks).  Consequently, she was towed up the Yazoo River to Greenwood, Mississippi, where she was eventually completed after further delays.  She set out under her own power in July 1862 toward a short but impressive career on the Yazoo and the Mississippi.

Specifications of CSS Arkansas:

Length: 165'
Beam: 35'
Draft: 11'6"
Armament: two 64-pounder; two rifled 32-pounder; two 100-pounder columbiads; two 6-inch naval guns

Confederate Warships

Last update:  December 5, 2001