CSS Virginia
Ironclad · Confederate States · Lost 1862 · Chesapeake Bay
Rebuilt from the burned Merrimack, the Confederacy's first ironclad fought the Monitor to a standstill before her own crew blew her up off Craney Island in May 1862.
The Vessel and Her Loss
CSS Virginia was rebuilt in 1862 from the burned hull of the USS Merrimack at the Gosport Navy Yard and became the pioneer of Confederate ironclad warfare. On March 8 and 9, 1862, she fought the USS Monitor in the first battle between ironclads. After the fall of Norfolk, her deep draft prevented retreat up the James River, and on May 11, 1862, her crew ran her ashore off Craney Island and blew her up to prevent capture. Her remains were later extensively salvaged for scrap iron.
Vessel
- 1862
- Gosport Navy Yard
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Wood with iron armor
- 275 ft
- 51 ft
- About 4,000 tons
- Twin horizontal back-acting steam engines
- Confederate States Navy
Loss
- May 11, 1862
- Intentional sinking
- Off Craney Island, Hampton Roads
- Hampton Roads
- Norfolk, Virginia → Up the James River (attempted)
- Munitions
- 320
- 0
- Josiah Tattnall
The Wreck Today
- Less than 10 feet
- Extensively salvaged for scrap iron; only scattered debris remains.
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 36.91° N 76.34° W
- Approximate position
- Norfolk, Virginia
Approximate scuttling position off Craney Island.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (95/100)
The wreck was extensively salvaged after the war and only scattered debris remains at the site; presented as a historical listing.
Specifications, engagement, scuttling.
Encyclopedia Virginia, CSS Virginia
Career and destruction details.
