# CSS Virginia II

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Confederate Navy steam-powered ironclad ship

Harper's Weekly sketch of 11 February 1865 of CS Navy sortie 23 January 1865 on the James River; Ironclad at right is the CSS Virginia II; the wreck at the left is the CSS Navy Training Ship "Patrick Henry" History Confederate States Name CSS Virginia II Namesake Virginia Builder William Arthur Graves Laid down April 1862? Launched June 29, 1863 Commissioned May 18, 1864 Home port Richmond, Virginia Fate Burned to prevent capture; remains partially raised and salvaged for scrap General characteristics Length 197 ft (60 m) Beam 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m) Draft 14 ft (4.3 m) Propulsion Steam engine Complement 150 officers and men Armament 1 × 11" Brooke smoothbore 1 × 8" Brooke rifle 2 × 6.4" Brooke rifle Armor sides 5", forward 6"

**CSS *Virginia II*** was a [Confederate Navy](/source/Confederate_Navy) steam-powered [ironclad](/source/Ironclad) ram laid down in 1862 at the William Graves' shipyard in [Richmond, Virginia](/source/Richmond%2C_Virginia). Acting Constructor William A. Graves, [CSN](/source/Confederate_States_Navy), was the superintendent in charge of her construction. In order to conserve scarce iron plating, he ordered the ship's armored [casemate](/source/Casemate) shortened from the specifications given in [John L. Porter](/source/John_L._Porter)'s original building plans; in addition, the ship's iron-plating, while six inches thick on the casemate's forward face, was reduced to five inches on her port, starboard, and aft faces. Due to the shortening of her casemate, the number of her cannon were reduced to a single 11" smoothbore, a single 8" rifle, and two 6.4" rifles.

The *Virginia II* was named after the more famous Confederate ironclad, [CSS *Virginia*](/source/CSS_Virginia), also called the [*Merrimack*](/source/USS_Merrimack_(1855)) because of the ship's origins as a Union frigate. The original *Virginia'*s success at the [Battle of Hampton Roads](/source/Battle_of_Hampton_Roads) caused "gunboat associations" to emerge around the South, mainly driven by women; their efforts helped with the construction of the *Virginia II*.[1]

## Construction

Money to help with the construction of this ironclad was largely contributed by the Richmond chapter of the "Ladies Aid and Defense Society" (called the "National Defense Association"), which adopted the ironclad in early April 1862 for the defense of Richmond. The chairman was Maria Gaitskell Clopton. It is estimated that the society contributed more than $30,000 towards *Virginia II*'s construction.[2]

By November 1862, [John Mercer Brooke](/source/John_Mercer_Brooke) was able to report that she was "pretty well advanced, frames up, clamps in, etc...She will be a strong and fine vessel."[1]

However, after this promising start, significant delays plagued the new ironclad. It was not until more than a year after she was laid down that *Virginia II* was finally launched without incident on June 29, 1863. "She glided into the water 'like a thing of life' amid the prolonged cheers of the spectators."[3] However, she suffered from further [fitting-out](/source/Fitting-out) delays and was not fully commissioned until May 18, 1864, almost a year later; she was made the flagship of the [James River Squadron](/source/James_River_Squadron) (replacing [CSS *Richmond*](/source/CSS_Richmond) in this role).[4]

## Career

*Virginia II* went into action on June 21, 1864, as the flagship of [Commodore](/source/Commodore_(rank)) [John K. Mitchell](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_K._Mitchell&action=edit&redlink=1), during the engagement between the James River Squadron and Federal ships in Trent's Reach. But the ironclad developed mechanical problems when an errant chain from the nearby *Richmond* became entangled in her propeller, and she could no longer participate in the battle.[5]

On August 13, the *Virginia II* participated in the attack on the Union forces at Dutch Gap. The [*Canonicus*-class monitor](/source/Canonicus-class_monitor), [USS *Saugus*](/source/USS_Saugus_(1863)), and her gunboats joined in the battle, but could not effectively train their guns, though they did manage to fire two shots that hit *Virginia II*.[6] On August 17, she participated in the capture of [Signal Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Signal_Hill_(Henrico_County,_Virginia)&action=edit&redlink=1), shelling the Union defenses from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. before finally ceasing fire.[7]

From September 29 through October 1, the *Virginia II* and the rest of the squadron attacked New Market Heights and [Fort Harrison](/source/Fort_Harrison) in conjunction with the [Confederate Army](/source/Confederate_Army); it was the largest operation north of the [James River](/source/James_River) since [Cold Harbor](/source/Battle_of_Cold_Harbor) and would remain so until the end of the war. Once again, though, the *Virginia II* suffered difficulty, delaying her entrance into the battle. She had just received a new cannon, and in the rush to leave the dock, the supply ship *Gallego* became entangled in her anchor chain, causing the *Gallego* to sink.[8]

In their routine patrol of the James River, the squadron was surprised to discover, on the morning of October 22, that the Union Army had finished fortifying [Cox Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cox_Hill&action=edit&redlink=1). To cover the retreat of the Confederate wooden vessels, *Virginia II* approached the battery, followed by two ironclads, and effected a retreat upstream to [Chaffin's Bluff](/source/Chaffin's_Bluff).[9] During this, the *Virginia II*'s smokestack was riddled by shells.[10] Though caught by surprise, this small action helped determine the effectiveness of the ironclads' armored casemates against close rifled cannon fire, and in the case of the *Virginia II*, the results were favorable: her casemate withstood 7 direct hits by 100-pound conical iron "bolts," which barely dented her plating.[9]

On December 7 *Virginia II*, along with the *Fredericksburg* and *Richmond*, steamed down to Fort Brady near Trent's Reach and near sunset exchanged cannon fire with the fort until darkness fell.[11]

### Battle of Trent's Reach

Site of the sinking of *Virginia II* and other ships in the [James River](/source/James_River). The part showing above water is from [CSS *Jamestown*](/source/CSS_Jamestown). *(Photograph by [Mathew Brady](/source/Mathew_Brady))*

Main article: [Battle of Trent's Reach](/source/Battle_of_Trent's_Reach)

Her final action took place on January 23–24, 1865 when the James River Squadron, including [ironclads](/source/Ironclad) *Richmond*, and *Fredericksburg*, with five smaller vessels, made a second unsuccessful attempt to circumvent obstructions in Trent's Reach. A reliable report indicated there was a passage through, as a result of a [freshet](/source/Freshet) of melting ice. To avoid the risk of collision, the gunboats and tenders were lashed to the starboard sides of the ironclads; *Virginia II* accreted to her bulk the gunboats [*Nansemond*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CSS_Nansemond&action=edit&redlink=1) and [*Torpedo*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CSS_Torpedo&action=edit&redlink=1), with the torpedo boat [*Scorpion*](/source/CSS_Scorpion) in tow. After passing the Union batteries at Fort Brady sometime after 8 p.m., the *Virginia II* accidentally beached *Torpedo* by cutting too close to the shore. The captain of *Nansemond* untied his ship from *Virginia II* in an attempt to free *Torpedo*. The fleet continued on and reached the obstructions at Trent's Reach.[12][13]

Again *Virginia II* ran into trouble, this time running aground; the smaller ships tried to free her for three hours. Only two ships made it through, the rest were either running aground or helping the ones that had already run aground. Dawn came with most of the squadron in full view of the Union fortifications at Battery Parsons, and they had to suffer fire until the water rose high enough to allow them to finally retreat. In late morning, just as the water was high enough to re-float *Virginia II*, the Union fleet arrived and added its firepower. This time it was much more deadly: the double-turreted monitor [USS *Onondaga*](/source/USS_Onondaga_(1863)) was able to pierce her armor with its shot. *Virginia II* and the rest of the squadron retreated upstream until they were safely under the cover of Confederate Battery Dantzler. They attempted to run past again that night, but Union soldiers had erected a huge light illuminating the obstructions; this, combined with several other factors, forced the attempt to be abandoned.[12]

While leaving, *Hampton* managed to entangle her screw propeller in *Virginia II*'s anchor chain. They suffered more heavy fire on their return upriver from [Fort Brady](/source/Fort_Brady), and *Virginia II* ran aground again before making it to the safety of Chaffin's Bluff. The ship had at least six killed and more than a half dozen wounded from the action; she also suffered heavy battle damage which required extensive repairs.[14] Her smokestack was destroyed, the engines broke down, and her iron armor and underlying wooden framework were damaged.[12]

## Destruction of *Virginia II*

Her repairs had just been completed when *Virginia II* and the other Confederate warships of the James River Squadron were ordered destroyed by squadron commander Admiral [Raphael Semmes](/source/Raphael_Semmes) to prevent their capture by rapidly advancing Union forces during the evacuation and fall of Richmond on April 3, 1865.

Following the war's end, most of the wreck of *Virginia II* was raised for salvage.

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-coski2_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-coski2_1-1) Coski, *Capital Navy*, 82.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 82–85

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 86

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 153,156

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 165–166

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Scharf, *History of the Confederate States Navy*, 735

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 167

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 168

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-scharf_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-scharf_9-1) Scharf, *History of the Confederate States Navy*, 736–737

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Coski, *Capital Navy*, 171

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Scharf, *History of the Confederate States Navy*, 738

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-coski_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-coski_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-coski_12-2) Coski, *Capital Navy*, 198–207

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Scharf, *History of the Confederate States Navy*, 740–742

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Scharf, *History of the Confederate States Navy*, 741

## References

- *This article incorporates text from the [public domain](/source/Public_domain)*[Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships](/source/Dictionary_of_American_Naval_Fighting_Ships)*.*

- Bisbee, Saxon T. (2018). *Engines of Rebellion: Confederate Ironclads and Steam Engineering in the American Civil War*. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-81731-986-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-81731-986-1).

- Canney, Donald L. (2015). *The Confederate Steam Navy 1861-1865*. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7643-4824-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7643-4824-2).

- Coski, John M. (1996). *Capital Navy: The Men, Ships and Operations of the James River Squadron*. Campbell, California: Savas Woodbury Publishers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-882810-03-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-882810-03-1).

- Olmstead, Edwin; Stark, Wayne E. & Tucker, Spencer C. (1997). *The Big Guns: Civil War Siege, Seacoast, and Naval Cannon*. Alexandria Bay, New York: Museum Restoration Service. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-88855-012-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-88855-012-X).

- [Scharf, J. Thomas](/source/John_Thomas_Scharf) (1887). [*History of the Confederate States Navy*](https://archive.org/stream/cu31924032779609/). New York: Rogers & Sherwood.

- Silverstone, Paul H. (2006). *Civil War Navies 1855–1883*. The U.S. Navy Warship Series. New York: Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-415-97870-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-415-97870-X).

- Silverstone, Paul H. (1984). *Directory of the World's Capital Ships*. New York: Hippocrene Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-88254-979-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-88254-979-0).

- [Still, William N. Jr.](/source/William_N._Still_Jr.) (1985) [1971]. *Iron Afloat: The Story of the Confederate Armorclads*. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87249-454-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87249-454-3).

v t e Ironclad warships of the Confederate States Navy Albemarle Arctic Arkansas Atlanta Baltic Charleston Chicora Columbia Fredericksburg Georgia Huntsville Louisiana Manassas Mississippi I Missouri Muscogee Nashville Neuse North Carolina II Palmetto State Phoenix Raleigh Richmond Savannah Stonewall Tennessee I Tennessee II Texas Tuscaloosa Virginia Virginia II Wilmington List of ships of the Confederate States Navy

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1865 Shipwrecks 1 Jan: San Jacinto 12 Jan: CSS Columbia 15 Jan: Patapsco 24 Jan: CSS Drewry 24 Jan: CSS Scorpion 26 Jan: Dai Ching c. Jan: Lelia 6 Feb: Favorita 15 Feb: Merrimac 18 Feb: CSS Charleston 18 Feb: CSS Chicora 18 Feb: CSS Indian Chief 18 Feb: CSS Palmetto State 18 Feb: CSS Peedee 18 Feb: Daring 25 Feb: CSS Chickamauga 27 Feb: Arizona 1 Mar: Harvest Moon 2 Mar: CSS Rob Roy 12 Mar: Althea 14 Mar: CSS Neuse 28 Mar: Milwaukee 29 Mar: Osage Mar: CSS Spray 1 Apr: Bertrand 1 Apr: Rodolph 3 Apr: CSS Beaufort 3 Apr: CSS Fredericksburg 3 Apr: CSS Hampton 3 Apr: CSS Patrick Henry 3 Apr: CSS Richmond 3 Apr: CSS Roanoke 3 Apr: CSS Virginia II 12 Apr: CSS Huntsville 12 Apr: CSS Tuscaloosa 13 Apr: USS Ida 14 Apr: Sciota 17 Apr: CSS Chattahoochee 17 Apr: CSS Jackson 22 Apr: Black Hawk 24 Apr: O. M. Pettit 24 Apr: CSS Webb 27 Apr: Sultana c. Apr: Rose 8 May: Glasgow 12 May: Fiery Star 20 May: City of Dunedin c. May: Race Horse 8 Jun: Admiral Du Pont 8 Jun: Jequitinhonha 28 Jun: Brunswick Jun: USS Bloomer 4 Jul: Agnes 30 Jul: Brother Jonathan 4 Aug: Smerch 9 Aug: Pewabic 18 Aug: Hugh Lindsay 23 Aug: Commodore McDonough 16 Sep: Lone Star 22 Sep: Pink 7 Oct: Duncan Dunbar 25 Oct: Republic 6 Nov: Jacob Bell 10 Nov: Patroon 13 Nov: Aenid 19 Nov: City of Launceston 27 Nov: Fairlie 3 Dec: Indian River 5 Dec: Neptune 16 Dec: USS New Ironsides 30 Dec: Huntress 31 Dec: Goldena Other incidents 4 Jan: HMS Cadmus 14 Jan: HMS Geyser 14 Jan: HMS Terrible 3 Mar: HMS Niger 13 Jul: HMS Eclipse 9 Aug: Ipswich 10 Oct: HMS Sepoy 10 Nov: HMS Bristol 1 Dec: HMS Research 20 Dec: Tararua Unknown: Ironsides ← 1864 1866 →

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [CSS Virginia II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Virginia_II) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Virginia_II?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.