CSS Raleigh
Ironclad Ram · Confederate States of America · Lost 1864 · The Outer Banks
A Confederate ironclad built at Wilmington broke her keel crossing the shoal bar at New Inlet after a night engagement with Union blockaders.
The Vessel and Her Loss
CSS Raleigh was a Richmond-class ironclad ram built at Wilmington and commissioned in 1864 to challenge the Union blockade off the Cape Fear River. On the night of 6 May 1864 she crossed the bar at New Inlet and engaged Union blockaders in a confused night action, forcing several to withdraw. Returning across the shallow bar the next morning, her hull, unsuited to the open sea, broke over the shoals, and she was lost.
Vessel
- Not established
- J. L. Cassidey & Sons
- Wilmington, North Carolina
- Iron and wood
- 150 ft
- 32 ft
- Not established
- Steam, screw
- Confederate States Navy
Loss
- May 7, 1864
- Grounding
- Over the bar at New Inlet, near Fort Fisher, North Carolina
- Atlantic Ocean
- New Inlet, North Carolina → Return to Cape Fear River
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, North Carolina
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Build, dimensions, and general service.
NCpedia, Encyclopedia of North Carolina
Detailed loss narrative and dimensions.
