The Confederate Ram, Arkansas

The Confederate Ram, ArkansasAuthor(s): F. P. RoseSource: The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 4 (Winter, 1953), pp. 333-339Published by: Arkansas Historical AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40037939 .

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THE CONFEDERATE RAM. ARKANSAS

By F. P. Rose Rogers, Arkansas

Probably few people in this State, even during the Civil War, ever knew of the existence of the Confederate Ram, Arkansas, much less of her brilliant and thrilling achievements, because her career was brief and unfortunate.

A report of the Secretary of the Confederate Navy, Mallory, on August 16, 1862; stated that

The abandonment of Memphis rendered . . . im- practicable, but the work upon the sloop-of-war Ar- kansas being further advanced, she was guided to the Yazoo and there completed. On the 14th (15th) day of July this vessel, under command of Lieutenant Isaac N. Brown, left her position for Vicksburg, where she arrived safetly after an engagement of several hours with 17 of the enemy's ships. Naval history records few deeds of greater heroism or higher professional ability than this achievement of the Arkansas.

Vicksburg is on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi where it makes a sharp bend enclosing a long narrow pen- insula. The railroad from Shreveport, Louisiana, reached the river at this point, and it was connected by ferry with the railroad from Vicksburg through Jackson, the State Capitol. About a hundred miles below Vicksburg is Port Hudson, on the same river and railways. Between these two points the Red River, flowing from the borders of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, empties into the Mis- sissippl. As the Confederates drew a large part of their supplies from Texas and the Red River basin, it was of the utmost importance for them to retain control of the Mississippi between Vicksburg and Port Hudson, especially after they had lost New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Mem- phis.

After taking New Orleans, in April, 1862, Farragut had gone up the river with some of his ships in May, and



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demanded the surrender of Vicksburg; but, though the place was then but slightly fortified, the demand was re- fused, and without a land force he could not take the city, as it was too high to be damaged by his guns. He ran the batteries in June, and communicated with the river fleet of Capt. Charles H. Davis. But all the while new batteries were being planted on the bluffs, and after a time it became exceedingly hazardous for any sort of craft to run down the gauntlet under their devastating fire.

The Arkansas was a shallow draft, strongly built and heavily armored craft developed for operation on the Mis- sissippi and its more shallow tributaries for the purpose of harassing and destroying troop and supply movements. They were commonly known as "rams" because of their ability, during an engagement with an enemy vessel, to collide with such force as to crush in the side of and sink an opponent without particular damage to themselves.

Her keel was laid in the Memphis ship yard and she was christened - apparently under an unlucky star - Ar- kansas, in October, 1861. The plans for her construction embodied the very latest ideas for such a type of craft, yet the progress made toward her completion was slow, owing to the emergencies of the war. Ship carpenters had to be brought from as far away as Richmond and Baltimore, and any person who could qualify as a carpenter, not in the army, was used in the construction. Much of the ma- terial entering into the ram, especially certain kinds of timber, had to be brought several hundred miles.

The Arkansas was one hundred and eighty feet over- all length ; sixty feet of beam ; and with great capacity amid- ships. Her sides were of eighteen inches solid timber. Her prow was sharp and her stern tapered to permit the water to close rapidly behind her. On her prow was constructed an enormous beak of cast iron weighing eighteen thousand pounds, held securely in position with huge bolts passing entirely through her structure, and was of sufficient strength to penetrate the hull of any ship on the river. Ready for action she drew nine feet of water.

Her machinery consisted of two low pressure steam en-



THE CONFEDERATE RAM, ARKANSAS oor

gines of nine hundred horsepower each. Her cylinders are said to have been twenty-four inches in diameter and had a seven foot stroke - all were placed below the waterline and well protected. She was provided with two propellers, seven feet in diameter, and of four flanges each, capable of ninety revolutions per minute. In consequence of the inde- pendent action of her engines, these propellers working in her stern, one propeller could be revolved forward at the same time the other was revolved in reverse, thus permitting the boat to be turned in a space little more than her length. Under full steam the Arkansas could make twenty-two miles an hour down the current of the Mississippl.

Her sides were partly covered by railroad iron of the T pattern, dovetailed together and firmly bolted. Along her after works and around the stern she was clad with two- inch plate iron, the whole extending thirteen inches below the waterline. She carried ten guns throwing a sixty-eight pound shell, and was the equal of any ship of the Union fleet on the Mississippi River.

Shortly after the Union forces had taken New Or- leans and just before their capture of Memphis, the Con- federate authorities, fearing the Union fleet would start up the Mississippi, ordered the Arkansas to be taken to the Yazoo River where she might be completed in safety. Con- sequently she was towed to and up the Yazoo about sixty- five miles.

Yazoo River is a narrow, though a deep stream, and admirably fitted for the security of boats. A few days later the Arkansas was followed up the river by over thirty of the finest steamboats in the West taken up by the Confed- erates at the time Memphis fell into Union hands. Below them at a point sixty-five miles above the mouth of the Yazoo the Confederates obstructed the stream with a raft of heavy timber, and located a four gun battery on the bluff above.

This battery was so placed as to rake the river in the vicinity of the accumulated timber, and thus prevent any- thing but a strong force from clearing the stream since none of the Union boats could bring their guns in use except at



<^g ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

long range, unless they approached close upon the obstruc- tion.

Here, under great difficulty, the Arkansas was completed under the personal supervision of her commander, Captain Isaac N. Brown, an old steamboat man and resident of Memphis, and it was thought that the story of her being aground was started by him purposely to throw the Union commanders off their guard.

Early in July a few Union gunboats ascended the Yazoo on a reconnoitering expedition and came upon three Con- federate gunboats moored to the bank just below the raft barrier. Caught without steam up, the Confederate boats were at once set on fire by their crews to prevent capture, and turned loose down stream upon the Union gunboats, which to avoid any damage from the burning gunboats, backed down the river. Only one gunboat was left remaining of the entire Confederate navy on the Mississippi, the Ar- kansas.

This affair determined the Confederate authorities to move the Arkansas, if possible, under the protecting batteries on the bluffs at Vicksburg. The Arkansas was passed through the barrier and taken down the Yazoo within a few miles of its mouth, and hidden under a bank with overhanging trees. Here, always under a full head of steam, she awaited a favorable opportunity for a dash for the protecting batteries at Vicksburg.

From a deserter who came into the Union lines it was learned that the rebels in Vicksburg had been expecting the Arkansas for some time; but the Union fleet before Vicks- burg rested in fancied security from attack by this single gunboat, most of the officers laughing at the idea of the Arkansas making a foray on them.

On the morning of July 15th, the quiet that had for a few days brooded over Vicksburg and its vicinity, by reason of the cessation of Union bombardment, was broken. The Arkansas was receiving her baptism in battle.

The Union gunboats Carondelet and Tyler, and the ram Lancaster, had started up the Yazoo. When about eight miles upstream they very suddenly came upon the Arkansas lying next to the bank, partially concealed, apparently



THE CONFEDERATE RAM, ARKANSAS ^?

anxious to be passed, if possible, without notice. When she found she was discovered she opened up with her sixty-eight pounders, and the Union vessels immediately replied.

The battle began and the engagement soon became very fierce. As the Union gunboats dropped down the river, to obtain more sea room, the Arkansas followed closely, firing rapidly.

When near the mouth of the river the Carondelet advanced, with the intention of grappling the Arkansas, and she partially succeeded but the latter opened her steam pipe and threw hot water over the plank by which the boarders were to cross.

The Carondelet replied with the same weapon, and how long this state of affairs might have lasted is very uncertain, but both vessels grounded with such force that they were separated, and the Arkansas relieving herself - which the Carondelet could not - made rapidly for the main stream, the Tyler preceding her, maintaining at the same time a rapid running fire. The ram Lancaster had been put out of the action by a shot under her boilers.

The Arkansas had chosen a favorable time for making her exit from the Yazoo. None of the gunboats with the Union fleet had steam up, and were lying, heavily anchored, in swift current in the middle of the Mississippi a mile or more above Vicksburg, unable to turn a propeller in less than an hour's time.

Considerable consternation was visible on all the boats when they discovered the powerful Arkansas approaching under full steam, with her ports triced up, guns out and everything in perfect trim for opening up an engagement. The sound of drums as they beat to quarters rolled over the surface of the river from all directions. The signal "pre- pare for action" was hoisted on the Union flagship; but the order was unnecessary, as it had already been antici- pated. Guns were manned and the best show of resistance was made on board the boats.

A newpaper correspondent with the fleet, described the engagement:

The Louisville being the upper gunboat of the fleet



oog ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

and lying in good position for striking, the Arkansas turned her heavy prow in the direction of that craft. When within long range she let fly a shot at the Louisville, which passed over the latter and was seen to strike among the cottonwood trees on the shore beyond. A second shot was better aimed, and it struck the casemating of the Louisville near the center of the bow and glanced off passing near one of the chimneys. Almost at the same time the latter replied with three heavy Dahlgrens, one of the shots taking effect, and the others thrown off by the plating.

These were shortly after followed by three more shots at short range, two of which took effect, evi- dently passing through the plating and timber, while the third shot just missed the pilot house. At this time the Arkansas, which had been approaching the bow of the Louisville, changed her course and circled about so as to make a strike at the side of the latter. The admirable working of her double propellers was here perceptible, for she turned gracefully, although moving at a rapid rate. She did not succeed in striking the Louisville, as her course was diagonal, and she glided off by her own force, but received in so doing the shot from the three guns of the Louisville at less than a cable's length. The heavy sixty-four pound projectiles must have gone nearly through her, at any rate her sides were perforated as a large rent attests.

The Arkansas next ran the gauntlet of the remainder of the Union vessels, firing upon them and receiving their fire. Some shots told upon her with effect, but her iron- cased sides almost rendered her invincible. Although her projectiles were heavy and she did some damage to the Union fleet, she was apparently anxious to reach the protection of the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg.

The Arkansas, having passed through the fleet, being more or less injured during the passage, at last arrived under the protection of the batteries of Vicksburg. She was received with a salute and by loud cheering of the rebels. There was no doubt but that they were on the lookout for her arrival.

Under the protecting batteries of Vicksburg, the Ar- kansas was soon repaired and placed in fighting trim again.



THE CONFEDERATE RAM, ARKANSAS o^g

On August 5th she was ordered down the Mississippi : In August, a Confederate force, under Gen. John

C. Breckinridge, attempted the capture of Baton Rouge, expecting to be assisted in the assault by an immense iron-clad ram, the Arkansas, which was coming down the river. . . . The ram failed to take part in the fight, because her machinery broke down. She was attacked the next day by two or three vessels, commanded by Admirable David D. Porter, and when she had been disabled her crew abandoned her and set her on fire, and she was blown into a thousand fragments.

The official report to the Secretary of the Confederate Navy, by her commander, Lieutenant Isaac N. Brown, is a fitting eulogy to the untimely end of the Confederate ram, Arkansas. A part of his report follows :

Her machinery was new, and sufficient time for its reliable adjustment had not been afforded when she was sent to co-operate in the attack on Baton Rouge, on the 7th inst. (August). On the following day, in the face of a greatly superior force, when within 5 miles of her destination, some disarrangement of her machinery occurred, when she was at once attacked by a large force of the enemy, and, hopeless of escape, her crew destroyed her.



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The Confederate Ram, Arkansas