USS Keokuk
Ironclad · United States · Lost 1863 · The Georgia & South Carolina Coast
An experimental Union ironclad shot through at Fort Sumter in April 1863 and sunk off Morris Island the next morning.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS Keokuk was an unusual iron warship with two fixed armoured gun houses rather than revolving turrets. She joined the ironclad attack on Fort Sumter on 7 April 1863 and was struck scores of times at close range. Her crew kept her afloat overnight and then abandoned her; she sank off Morris Island the following morning. Confederate salvors later raised her guns in a widely reported operation.
Vessel
- 1862
- Not established
- New York
- Iron
- 159 ft
- 36 ft
- Not established
- Steam, twin screw
- United States Navy
Loss
- April 8, 1863
- Enemy action
- Off Morris Island, Charleston, South Carolina
- Atlantic Ocean off Charleston, South Carolina
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Her crew was taken off before she sank; casualty figures for the action differ.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- United States Navy property; sunken military craft
Position
- 32.69° N 79.87° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Charleston, South Carolina
Position given for the Morris Island area where she sank; not surveyed in the sources reviewed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (70/100)
The wreck position, depth and present condition are not established in the sources reviewed.
Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Construction, the Fort Sumter attack, date and circumstances of loss, salvage of her guns.
