View source for CSS Isondiga

{{short description|1863 American Confederate wooden gunboat}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
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'''CSS''' '''''Isondiga''''' was a wooden [[gunboat]] that served in the [[Confederate States Navy]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Designed according to [[Matthew Fontaine Maury]]'s plan to produce a large number of small vessels to swamp the [[Union blockade]], ''Isondiga'' was one of only two or three of these Maury gunboats actually completed, and the only one completed as designed. The Maury gunboats project had been almost entirely cancelled in favor of [[ironclad]] production after the [[Battle of Hampton Roads]]. ''Isondiga'' was built in [[Savannah, Georgia]], and was transferred to the Confederate Navy in January 1863 to begin the [[fitting out]] process. At this time, she was commanded by [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Joel S. Kennard.

In late May 1863, ''Isondiga'' accompanied the ironclad [[CSS Atlanta|CSS ''Atlanta'']] in an attempt to attack the Union blockade in [[Wassaw Sound]], but this was foiled when ''Atlanta'' [[ran aground]]. On June 17, ''Isondiga'' and the steamer [[CSS Resolute|CSS ''Resolute'']] accompanied ''Atlanta'' in an engagement where the ironclad attacked two Union [[monitor (warship)|monitors]] and was quickly captured. At times later in 1863, ''Isondiga'' was inactivate because parts of her crew were temporarily transferred to [[Charleston, South Carolina]]. She continued service in the Savannah area in 1864. Kennard was transferred to the gunboat [[CSS Macon|CSS ''Macon'']] in June. In December, the city was about to fall into Union hands, and on December 20, ''Isondiga'' covered the Confederate retreat from the city over a [[pontoon bridge]]. While trying to escape herself, ''Isondiga'' ran aground and was burned by her crew on December 21 under orders from her commander, Lieutenant Hamilton Dalton.

==Design==
In October 1861, during the [[American Civil War]], [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] naval officer [[Matthew Fontaine Maury]],{{sfn|Canney|2015|pp=140{{endash}}141}} who held the rank of [[commander]],{{sfn|Luraghi|1996|p=68}} proposed that the breakaway nation's best counter to the more developed [[Union Navy]] would be to build a large fleet of small, cheap vessels in order to swamp the [[Union blockade]]. The [[Confederate States Congress]] approved construction of up to 100 vessels of a modified design in December. As approved, the design called for vessels that were {{convert|106|ft|m}} long, with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|20|ft|m}}. The vessels were to be [[screw steamer]]s armed with a {{convert|6.4|inch|cm|adj=on}} [[rifled artillery|rifled cannon]] and a {{convert|9|inch|cm|adj=on}} [[Dahlgren gun]]. This design was known as the Maury gunboats.{{sfn|Canney|2015|pp=140{{endash}}141}} Contracts to build three of these vessels were awarded to the [[Savannah, Georgia]], firm of Krenson and Hawkes. The specifications provided to the firm by the [[Confederate Navy]] placed extreme length of the [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] at {{convert|116|ft|m}} and extreme beam as {{convert|21|ft|m}}. Each ship's [[keel]] was to measure {{convert|12|inches|cm}} from side to side and {{convert|10|inches|cm}} from top to bottom. The [[keelson]] was to be made of [[white oak]] and be {{convert|10|inches|cm}} across and {{convert|9|inches|cm}} deep. The contract allowed for the frames to be made either of white oak or [[yellow pine]], and the frames were to be {{convert|8.5|inches|cm}} at the bottom and taper up to {{convert|5.5|inches|cm}}. The lower planks were to be either {{convert|2.5|inches|cm}} of oak or {{convert|3|inches|cm}} of pine, with the thickness of the upper planks to be smaller. The planks were fastened to the frames with both [[treenail]]s and metal spikes, with bolts at the plank ends. The naval historian Donald L. Canney notes that this method of fastening was much more secure than that used for the larger Confederate gunboat [[CSS Chattahoochee|CSS ''Chattahoochee'']], which had similar [[scantling]] dimensions.{{sfn|Canney|2015|pp=136, 141{{endash}}142}}

Deck planking was to be {{convert|3|inches|cm}} of yellow pine, fastened down with spikes. The Maury gunboats were to be equipped with two [[ship's boat]]s and the requisite [[davit]]s, two anchors, a [[windlass]], pumps, and other equipment.{{sfn|Canney|2015|p=142}} ''Isondiga'' had no [[mast (sailing)|mast]]s and had a nominal crew strength of 60. Her draft as completed was {{convert|6|ft|6|in|cm}}.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web |title=Isondiga |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/confederate_ships/isondiga.html |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref> For much of her service, she was armed with a 6.4-inch [[Brooke rifle]] and a 9-inch Dahlgren [[smoothbore]], but a report dated November 5, 1864, stated that she was armed with three cannon.{{sfn|Official Records|1921|p=256}} In March 1862, the [[Battle of Hampton Roads]] convinced Confederate leadership that it would be better to build [[ironclad]]s than the Maury gunboats, and funding for Maury gunboats not yet begun was removed. Canney states that only ''Isondiga'' and [[CSS Torch|CSS ''Torch'']] were completed of the Maury gunboats, although [[CSS Yadkin|CSS ''Yadkin'']] may also have been of the class. While Confederate naval constructor [[John L. Porter]] ordered some changes to ''Isondiga''{{'}}s design, Canney notes that she was "apparently the only Maury gunboat completed as designed".{{sfn|Canney|2015|pp=141{{endash}}142}} In calm water, ''Isondiga'' had a top speed of about {{convert|6|knots}}, although this was reduced by a design flaw that resulted in the propeller being partially above water. When the water was not calm, the propeller would be out of the water entirely in the troughs of waves. Her commander thought that she steered well, except that when the ship was going in reverse "the rudder had no perceptible effect on her".{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=262}}

==Construction and service==
[[File:Civil War defenses of St. Augustine Creek & Wilmington River.jpg|thumb|left|Wartime map of the St. Augustine Creek area. The Savannah River is at the top of the map, with Wassaw Sound in the lower right. Causton's Bluff is circled in red in the upper left.]]
It is not known when ''Isondiga'' was [[ceremonial ship launching|launched]],{{sfn|Canney|2015|p=142}} but Krenson and Hawkes received their final payment for her construction on January 17, 1863; the vessel was to have been completed over seven months earlier. At this time, the Confederate Navy took possession of the boat and began the [[fitting out]] process.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=182}} ''Isondiga'' was commanded by [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Joel S. Kennard.<ref name="DANFS" />{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=182}} On the morning of March 19,  ''Isondiga'' accompanied the ironclad [[CSS Atlanta|CSS ''Atlanta'']] down St. Augustine Creek to the entrance to [[Wassaw Sound]] with intentions of soon attacking the vessels of the Union blockade. However, low water levels prevented ''Atlanta'' from entering Wassaw Sound, and after waiting for days, the Confederates gave up. ''Atlanta'' [[ran aground]] while trying to leave, and ''Isondiga'', the gunboat [[CSS Savannah (gunboat)|CSS ''Savannah'']], and the [[receiving ship]] [[CSS Sampson|CSS ''Sampson'']] had to help free her.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=204{{endash}}205, 218}} On May 30, another attempt was made to get ''Atlanta'' down to Wassaw Sound for an attack against the blockade, but she suffered engine failure and ran aground. ''Isondiga'', CSS ''Oconee'' (the renamed ''Savannah''), and the steamer [[CSS Resolute|CSS ''Resolute'']], attempted unsuccessfully to free ''Atlanta''. The rising tide eventually freed ''Atlanta'', which moved downstream to [[Thunderbolt, Georgia]]. ''Isondiga'' was sent down to watch Wassaw Sound as a signal vessel{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=218, 221{{endash}}222}} for two days.{{sfn|Browning|2002|p=204}}

On the evening of June 15, ''Isondiga'', ''Resolute'', and ''Atlanta'' began from Thunderbolt to confront the Union [[monitor (warship)|monitors]] [[USS Weehawken (1862)|USS ''Weehawken'']] and [[USS Nahant (1862)|USS ''Nahant'']]. The Confederate naval elements in the Savannah area were under the command of Commander [[William A. Webb]]. Webb's plan was for ''Atlanta'' to sink one monitor with a [[spar torpedo]] and then defeat the other with close-range cannon fire; the naval historian Robert M. Browning describes this plan as "both daring and desperate". ''Isondiga'' and ''Resolute'' stayed well behind ''Atlanta''.{{sfn|Browning|2002|pp=204{{endash}}205}} It was rumored afterwards that the two vessels carried a number of spectators, but Melton notes that this claim is not supported by evidence from the Savannah Squadron.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=471, fn. 49}} The fight occurred on June 17. While maneuvering for the attack, ''Atlanta'' ran aground. A shot from ''Weehawken'' injured the pilot and helmsman of the Confederate vessel, and after a brief, lopsided fight in which the monitors fired a total of only five shots, ''Atlanta'' surrendered.{{sfn|Browning|2002|pp=205{{endash}}207}} ''Isondiga'' and ''Resolute'' fled back upriver.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=229}}

With Webb a prisoner of war,{{sfn|Browning|2002|p=207}} Kennard took command of the Confederate vessels around Savannah until [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] William Wallace Hunter took command on June 28, returning Kennard to command of ''Isondiga''.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=238}} In August, Kennard and over 50 of ''Isondiga''{{'}}s officers and men were transferred to [[Charleston, South Carolina]], which was the target of active Union operations, requiring ''Isondiga'' to be taken from active service for a time.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=242}} Kennard and his men were later returned to the Savannah Squadron.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=243{{endash}}244}} During September, the transfer of more sailors to Charleston required another brief period of inactive status for ''Isondiga''. This shortage of sailors was resolved by taking fifty inexperienced men from a [[receiving ship]] at Charleston, [[CSS Indian Chief|CSS ''Indian Chief'']], and sending them to Savannah to crew ''Isondiga''. These men were inexperienced with sailing, so Hunter sent ''Isondiga'' to the [[Savannah River]] for training. Kennard noted that there were insufficient experienced men aboard to hold target practice.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=261{{endash}}262}} Kennard also had difficulties with the ship's [[executive officer]], Lieutenant Aeneas Armstrong, who would take leave from the ship without orders, be inattentative to affairs on the ship, and get drunk. Armstrong was eventually replaced with Lieutenant Sidney McAdam.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=264{{endash}}265}}

In January 1864, the [[Confederate States Army]] was concerned that Union forces might strike inland towards Savannah from [[Port Royal, South Carolina]], and asked for naval support of land defenses. ''Isondiga''{{'}}s crew had been returned from Charleston by this time, and ''Isondiga'' and the ironclad [[CSS Savannah (ironclad)|CSS ''Savannah'']] were positioned near [[Elba Island (Georgia)|Elba Island]] in order to cover both obstructions in the Savannah River and a river landing.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=277{{endash}}278}} On January 26, ''Isondiga'' was sent down St. Augustine Creek in order to protect a bridge and an area known as the Wilmington Narrows, but returned to Elba Island when no Union encroachment there occurred.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=278}} On February 23, ''Isondiga'' and ''Savannah'' were sent down St. Augustine Creek. The ironclad ran aground, but ''Isondiga'' continued down to Causton's Bluff.  ''Isondiga'' returned to Savannah for repairs later, but was then sent back to Causton's Bluff, to assist in the defense of Fort Bartow.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=284{{endash}}285}} By mid-year, ''Isondiga'' had become, in the words of historian Maurice Melton, "almost a permanent part of the defenses at Causton's Bluff".{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=287}}

On June 2, Kennard was reassigned to command the gunboat [[CSS Macon|CSS ''Macon'']]. Since ''Macon'' required more time to complete fitting out, and needed more officers before she could enter active service, Kennard also held the command of ''Isondiga'' for the rest of the month, although much of the day-to-day supervision was done by McAdam.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=314}} Permanent command of ''Isondiga'' went to Lieutenant Hamilton Dalton.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=337}} In early September, Union army troops commanded by [[Major General (United States)|Major General]] [[William T. Sherman]] captured [[Atlanta, Georgia]], and then began the [[Sherman's March to the Sea|March to the Sea]], which would end at Savannah.{{sfn|Browning|2002|pp=329, 337}} On December 13, [[Fort McAllister]], which had protected Savannah from Union naval forces, was captured by Sherman's men.{{Sfn|Luraghi|1996|p=332}} On December 14, ''Isondiga'' was upriver on the Savannah River from the city of Savannah, and was firing on Union positions.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=385}} Not long afterwards, men from ''Isondiga'' were slated to attempt a boat attack to retake [[Argyle Island]], but this was cancelled as it was expected to result in heavy Confederate casualties. On December 18, Hunter ordered ''Isondiga'' and the [[ship's tender|tender]] [[CSS Firefly|CSS ''Firefly'']] to either escape upriver to [[Augusta, Georgia]], or to try to escape to the open sea.{{sfn|Melton|2012|pp=218, 386}}

A bridge ran from one bank of the Savannah River to [[Hutchinson Island (Georgia)|Hutchinson Island]], and the Confederates had constructed a [[pontoon bridge]] from the island to the other bank of the river to provide an escape path from Savannah.{{sfn|Luraghi|1996|p=332}} The Confederate army commander at Savannah was [[Lieutenant General (CSA)|Lieutenant General]] [[William J. Hardee]],{{sfn|Luraghi|1996|p=331}}{{sfn|Browning|2002|p=336}} and on his request, ''Isondiga'' was positioned upriver from the pontoon bridge to protect it.{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=389}} With both ''Isondiga'' and ''Savannah'' guarding the bridge, the Union did not interfere with the crossing.{{sfn|Luraghi|1996|p=332}} This crossing began late on December 20. It was hoped that ''Isondiga'', ''Savannah'', and ''Macon'' could somehow fight their way through the Union blockade, escape the Savannah area, and make it to either Charleston, [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], or [[Georgetown, South Carolina]].{{sfn|Browning|2002|pp=336{{endash}}337}} After the crossing was complete, the bridge was destroyed and ''Isondiga'' steamed downriver, but ran aground in the process. She was burned on Dalton's orders{{sfn|Melton|2012|p=389}} on December 21.{{sfn|Official Records|1921|p=256}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |last=Browning |first=Robert M. |title=Success Is All That Was Expected: The South Atlantic Blockding Squadron During the Civil War |publisher=Potomac Books |date=2002 |location=Dulles, Virginia |isbn=1-57488-705-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Canney |first=Donald L. |title=The Confederate Steam Navy 1861–1865 |publisher=Schiffer |location=Atglen, Pennsylvania |date=2015 |isbn=978-0-7643-4824-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Luraghi |first=Raimondo |title=A History of the Confederate Navy |publisher=Naval Institute Press |date=1996 |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-527-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Melton |first=Maurice |title=The Best Station of Them All: The Savannah Squadron, 1861–1865 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |date=2012 |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama |isbn=978-0-8173-1763-8}}
* {{cite book |title=Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2 |series=U. S. Naval War Records Office. Office memoranda |date=1921 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924051367062&view=1up&seq=7&skin=2021&q1=tuscarora |volume=1 |isbn=978-0-918678-30-0 |ref=CITEREFOfficial_Records1921 |oclc=5194016}}

{{CSN gunboats}}
{{1864 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Isondiga CSS}}
[[Category:Gunboats of the Confederate States Navy|Isondoga]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:1860s ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in December 1864]]
[[Category:Ships built in Savannah, Georgia]]