CSS Chicora

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CSS Chicora was a Confederate ironclad ram built in Charleston in 1862 to defend the harbor during the Civil War. It was designed by John L. Porter and built by James M. Eason, using most of a $300,000 state appropriation. The ship carried a 4-inch iron shield backed by thick wood, with extra armor at the ends. It weighed about 850 tons, was about 172 feet long, 35 feet wide, and drew 14 feet of water. It could make about 5 knots and had a crew of around 150. Its guns included two 9-inch smoothbores and four 6-inch muzzle-loading rifles.

Chicora was laid down in March 1862 and commissioned in November 1862 under Commander John Randolph Tucker. On January 31, 1863, Chicora and the CSS Palmetto State attacked the Union blockade near Charleston. Palmetto State forced the steamer Mercedita to surrender and disabled the Keystone State; Chicora fought at long range and then withdrew back into the harbor.

On April 7, 1863, Chicora helped defend the Charleston forts when a squadron of Union ironclads attacked, and the Union fleet had to retreat for repairs. Chicora continued to operate around Charleston in 1863 and 1864, helping transport troops during the evacuation of Morris Island and bombarding Fort Sumter, Fort Gregg, and Fort Wagner.

In August 1863 Chicora provided the first volunteer crew for the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley. A lieutenant recalled firing an effective shell at the Keystone State during the engagement.

Chicora was destroyed by Confederates when Charleston was evacuated on February 18, 1865.