Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
CSS Georgia: The "Ladies' Gunboat"
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019
1. CSS Georgia: The "Ladies' Gunboat" Marker
Fearful of U.S. invasion during the Civil War, two Macon women prompted a statewide campaign to build an ironclad vessel for the protection of Georgia's coastal and riverside towns. By March 1862, the Ladies Gunboat Association had formed to raise funds for construction. Led by the women of Savannah, statewide fundraising resulted in over $115,000 in donations. Due to a shortage of iron for armor, the Georgia's wooden casemate was covered with overlapping rails from train tracks. Her engines were too weak to negotiate the powerful Savannah River tides, leaving the Georgia as a floating battery anchored near Fort Jackson. Without firing a shot, the vessel deterred U.S. attack from this position until scuttled by her retreating crew on December 20, 1864, as U.S. General William T. Sherman's forces encircled the city.
of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
2014.16 • 25-51
Erected 2014 by Georgia Historical Society, Savannah Chapter No. 2 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. (Marker Number 25-51.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 32° 4.866′ N, 81° 2.192′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Woodcock Street/Fort Jackson Road, 1.2 miles north of East President Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located within Old Fort Jackson National Landmark, on the east side of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Fort Jackson Road, Savannah GA 31404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort James Jackson (a few steps from this marker); Construction of Fort Jackson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort James Jackson (about 300 feet away); Garrison of Fort Jackson (about 300 feet away); Republican Blues (about 300 feet away); The Napoleon 12-Pounder Field Gun Model 1857
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019
2. CSS Georgia: "Ladies' Gunboat" Marker (wide view from Old Fort Jackson parking lot)
Also see . . .
1. CSS Georgia: The “Ladies’ Gunboat”. Georgia Historical Society link for this marker. (Submitted on April 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. CSS Georgia. Military Factory website entry:
CSS Georgia was constructed at Savannah, Georgia in 1862 which granted the boat her namesake. She was launched sometime in 1863 and commissioned the same year. She featured a running length of 250 feet with a beam of 60 feet and her facilities were managed by some 200 personnel - from engines to controls, ammunition and armament. Her armament consisted of between four and nine cannons in all. As with most ironclads of the period, she was powered by steam and made slow headway even in ideal conditions. (Submitted on April 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Additional keywords. CSS Georgia: The "Ladies' Gunboat"
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019
3. CSS Georgia: "Ladies' Gunboat" Marker (view across parking lot to Old Fort Jackson)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, Unknown
4. CSS Georgia: The "Ladies' Gunboat"
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on August 23, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
