CSS Savannah (gunboat) facts for kids
Model of the Confederate gunboat Savannah.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Confederate States |
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| Name | Savannah |
| Namesake | Savannah, Georgia |
| Launched | 1856 |
| Commissioned | 1861 |
| Decommissioned | August 18, 1863 |
| Fate | Foundered in bad weather August 18, 1863 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 406 tons |
| Propulsion | steam engine |
| Armament | 1 32-pounder cannon |
The CSS Savannah, also known as Old Savannah and later Oconee, was a gunboat that served in the Confederate States Navy. This was the navy of the southern states during the American Civil War. Gunboats were small warships designed to carry cannons.
Contents
A Ship's Journey: From Steamer to Gunboat
The ship we know as Savannah started its life as a regular steamer named Everglade. It was built in New York City in 1856.
Joining the Confederacy
In early 1861, the state of Georgia bought the Everglade. They turned it into a gunboat to help defend their coast. When Georgia joined the Confederacy, the ship became part of the Confederate States Navy. It was officially put into service, or commissioned, under the command of Lieutenant John Newland Maffitt.
Defending the Coast
The Savannah joined a group of ships called a squadron. This squadron was led by Flag Officer Josiah Tattnall III. Their main job was to protect the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia from Union attacks.
Battles and Defenses
The Savannah took part in several important battles and missions.
Facing a Large Union Fleet
In November 1861, the Savannah and other Confederate gunboats faced a much larger Union fleet. This Union fleet, led by Flag Officer Samuel Francis Du Pont, was getting ready to attack Confederate forts at Port Royal Sound, South Carolina.
On November 5–6, the Savannah and its sister ships, including the CSS Resolute, CSS Sampson, and CSS Lady Davis, tried to slow down the Union forces. On November 7, the Savannah fired its cannon at the big Union ships as they bombed Fort Walker and Fort Beauregard. The Union gunboats eventually pushed the Savannah into Skull Creek, Georgia. Flag Officer Tattnall left the ship with some men to try and help the soldiers at the fort. After this, the Savannah returned to Savannah, Georgia to fix its damages.
Protecting the Savannah River
Later in November 1861, the Savannah joined Resolute and Sampson again. They sailed from Fort Pulaski, Georgia, and bravely attacked Union ships at the mouth of the Savannah River.
In January 1862, these same three ships delivered important supplies to Fort Pulaski. They did this even though Union ships tried hard to stop them. The Savannah also helped in the defense of Fort Pulaski in April 1862, but the fort was eventually captured. For the rest of that year, the Savannah stayed in the city of Savannah, serving as a ship where new sailors would report.
Final Voyage of the Oconee
On April 28, 1863, the ship's name was changed to Oconee. In June, the Oconee was loaded with cotton. The plan was to sail to England to sell the cotton and buy much-needed supplies for the Confederacy.
After some delays, the Oconee finally managed to escape to sea. However, its journey was cut short. On August 18, 1863, the ship sank during bad weather. A small boat carrying four officers and eleven men was captured two days later. The rest of the crew managed to escape.
Images for kids
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Model of the Confederate gunboat Savannah.
