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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

CSS Palmetto State

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal
Richmond class Ironclad Ram:
  • Built in January 1862 as the ironclad ram Palmetto State at Charleston, S.C.
  • Commissioned, CSS Palmetto State in September 1862, LCDR. J. Rutledge CSN in command
  • During the Civil War CSS Palmetto State
    Before dawn on 31 January 1863 CSS Palmetto State along with her sister ram CSS Chicora attacked the Union blockading forces off Charleston disabling USS Mercedita and USS Keystone State
    Palmetto State participated in the defense of Charleston during ADM. S. F. Du Pont's unsuccessful attack on the harbor forts, 1-7 April 1863
  • Final Disposition, Palmetto State was burned by the Confederates upon the evacuation of Charleston on 18 February 1865
    Specifications:
    Displacement unknown
    Length 150'
    Beam 34'
    Depth of Hold 14'
    Draft 12'
    Speed 8 kts
    Complement unknown
    Armament
    two 7" rifles
    two 9" smoothbores
    Propulsion steam
    • Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Palmetto State 86k Wash drawing by R.G. Skerrett, 1901, depicting CSS Palmetto State in the harbor at Charleston, S. C.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 75619 courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Palmetto State 70k Watercolor by Charles C. Cawson, circa 1862-63, of CSS Palmetto State featuring the names of the ship's officers.
    Names included in the work are in upper center:
    Duncan N. Ingraham (Flag Officer, Charleston Station);
    in upper left:
    First Lieutenant John Rutledge (Commanding Officer),
    First Lieutenant William H. Parker (Executive Officer),
    First Lieutenant Philip Porcher,
    First Lieutenant George S. Shyrock,
    Lieutenant Robert J. Bowen,
    Surgeon Arthur M. Lynch,
    Assistant Paymaster John S. Banks,
    First Assistant Engineer Marshall P. Jordan,
    Master Francis T. Chew,
    Pilot George O. Gladden, and
    Pilot Andrew Johnson;
    in upper right:
    Passed Midshipman Joseph P. Claybrook,
    Second Assistant Engineer William Ahern,
    Second Assistant Engineer John J. Darcy,
    Acting Third Assistant Engineer John C. Johnson,
    Acting Midshipman William P. Hamilton,
    Acting Midshipman Charles F. Sevier,
    Acting Midshipman Clarence Cary,
    Paymaster's Clerk George W. Carleton,
    Acting Master's Mate M.G. Porter,
    Boatswain Thomas Wilson, and
    Acting Gunner George M. Thompson.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 93044-KN (Color) courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Palmetto State 50k Wash drawing by Clary Ray, signed and dated 23 April 1897, off CSS Palmetto State.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 57837 courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Palmetto State 113k Nineteenth-Century photograph of a painting by Conrad Wise Chapman, depicting CSS Palmetto State and CSS Chicora in Charleston harbor, S.C., during the Civil War. Note the spar torpedo fitted to the ironclad in the right center. The original painting is in the Confederate Museum, Richmond, Virginia.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 55237    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Palmetto State 82k "The Charleston Iron-Clad Fleet"
    Line engraving, based on a sketch by A.P. Palmer, 21st South Carolina Volunteers, published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1863, page 76, depicting (rather inaccurately) CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State in Charleston harbor, S. C.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 55237    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Palmetto State 61k "The Rebel Rams engaging our Blockading Fleet off Charleston, South Carolina, January 31, 1863"
    Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1863, page 117, depicting CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State attacking USS Mercedita, with USS Keystone State at right
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 59304    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    CSS Palmetto State
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 7 June 2013