Near Jakin in Early County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Confederate Navy Yard, Saffold

Photographed By David Seibert, May 17, 2012

1. Confederate Navy Yard, Saffold Marker

Inscription. At Saffold, “accessible by steamboats from all points on the river”, David S. Johnston operated the Southern Confederate States Navy Yard. Here the gunboat Chattahoochee was built under contract signed October 19, 1861. Lt. Catesby ap R. Jones, CSN, formerly executive and ordnance officer aboard the Virginia (Merrimack) and her commander during a portion of her battle with the Monitor, was ordered in July, 1862, to Saffold to supervise completion of the Chattahoochee and to assume command of this gunboat. Lt. Jones remained with the Chattahoochee until January 1863.

May 27, 1863, the Chattahoochee, J.J. Guthrie, Lieutenant Commanding, determined to recapture the Schooner Fashion captured by the Federals below Blountstown, Fla., on the Apalachicola River. A boiler on the Chattahoochee exploded, killing sixteen of her crew. Sunk to her decks after the explosion, she was raised and taken to Columbus for repairs and destroyed there by Confederates at the close of the war.

Lt. J.J. Guthrie also commanded the Naval forces at Saffold during a portion of the War Between the States.

Erected 1961 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 049-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in

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this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 31° 6.727′ N, 85° 1.898′ W. Marker is near Jakin, Georgia, in Early County. Marker is at the intersection of Hugh D. Broome Sr. Parkway (U.S. 84) and Confederate Naval Yard Road, on the right when traveling east on Hugh D. Broome Sr. Parkway. The marker is adjacent to the east-bound lanes of US Highway 84, a divided highway at this point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jakin GA 39861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gordon Baptist Church (approx. 4½ miles away in Alabama); Gordon Cemetery / Early Gordon Leaders (approx. 5 miles away in Alabama); Liberty Baptist Church (approx. 9.3 miles away in Alabama); Ekanachatte or "Red Ground" (approx. 9.7 miles away in Florida); Seminole County (approx. 10 miles away); Seminole County World War II Memorial (approx. 10 miles away); Korean Conflict "The Forgotten War" (approx. 10 miles away); Seminole County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 10 miles away).

Regarding Confederate Navy Yard, Saffold. In Lt. Catesby ap Roger Jones'

Photographed By David Seibert, May 17, 2012

2. Confederate Navy Yard, Saffold Marker

name, "ap" is a Welsh patronymic meaning "son of." His father was Major General Roger ap Catesby Jones; his mother was a descendant of William Byrd (of Westover in Virginia) and Robert "King" Carter, and a cousin of General Robert E. Lee.

Photographed By David Seibert, May 17, 2012

3. Confederate Navy Yard, Saffold Marker

Looking west on US 84 toward the bridge over the Chattahoochee River and the Alabama State Line (just visible in the distance).

Confederate Navy Yard Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, May 17, 2012

4. Confederate Navy Yard Sign

The sign is at the same intersection, on the opposite side of Confederate Naval Yard Road from the marker. No trace of the Naval Yard remains.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.