CSS Phoenix
Ironclad Floating Battery · Confederate States of America · Lost 1864 · The Gulf of Mexico
An unfinished Confederate ironclad, damaged before she ever fought, scuttled and burned in Mobile Bay as Union forces closed on the city.
The Vessel and Her Loss
CSS Phoenix was built at Selma, Alabama, in 1863-64 as an ironclad floating battery, but was severely damaged during her launching and could never be made fully seaworthy. Brought to Mobile, she was scuttled by Confederate forces at the Dog River Bar on August 7, 1864, two days after the Battle of Mobile Bay. Union sailors from USS Metacomet blew her up a few nights later, and the Confederates burned what remained to the waterline. Her wreck was relocated in 1985 and found to be well preserved.
Vessel
- 1864
- Confederate Naval Works
- Selma, Alabama
- Wood
- 152 ft
- Not established
- Not established
- None (floating battery)
- Confederate States Navy
Loss
- August 7, 1864
- Intentional sinking
- Dog River Bar, Mobile Bay, Alabama
- Mobile Bay
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Located in 1985 and reported to be well preserved.
- Not established
- 1985
- Not established
Position
- 30.60° N 88.04° W
- Approximate position
- Dog River Bar, Mobile Bay, Alabama
Published coordinate for the general Dog River Bar scuttling site.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (80/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command (DANFS)
Build, damage, and scuttling narrative.
FSU Digital Repository, 'Phoenix, and the Confederate obstructions of upper Mobile Bay, Alabama'
1993 archaeological survey findings.
