Lesson plan
CSS Chicora
CSS Chicora was a Confederate ironclad ram that fought in the American Civil War. It was built under contract at Charleston, South Carolina in 1862. James M. Eason built it to John L. Porter's plans, using up most of a $300,000 State appropriation for construction of marine batteries; Eason received a bonus for "skill and promptitude." Its iron shield was thick, backed by of oak and pine, with armor at its ends. Keeled in March, it was commissioned in November, Commander John Randolph Tucker, CSN assuming command. In thick, predawn haze on January 31, 1863, Chicora and raided the Federal blockading force of unarmored ships lying just outside the entrance to Charleston Harbor. With ram and gun, Palmetto State forced to surrender, then disabled , who had to be towed to safety. Chicora meanwhile engaged other Union ships in a long-range gun duel, from which it emerged unscathed to withdraw victoriously to shelter inside the harbor. It took part in the defense of the forts at Charleston on April 7 when they were attacked by a squadron of ironclad monitors under Rear Admiral Samuel Francis du Pont, USN. The Federal ships were forced to retire for repairs and did not resume the action. Chicora was actively employed in the fighting around Charleston during 1863 and 1864.…
Article summary
CSS Chicora was a Confederate ironclad ram that fought in the American Civil War. It was built under contract at Charleston, South Carolina in 1862. James M. Eason built it to John L. Porter's plans, using up most of a $300,000 State appropriation for construction of marine batteries; Eason received a bonus for "skill and promptitude." Its iron shield was thick, backed by of oak and pine, with armor at its ends. Keeled in March, it was commissioned in November, Commander John Randolph Tucker, CSN assuming command. In thick, predawn haze on January 31, 1863, Chicora and raided the Federal blockading force of unarmored ships lying just outside the entrance to Charleston Harbor. With ram and gun, Palmetto State forced to surrender, then disabled , who had to be towed to safety. Chicora meanwhile engaged other Union ships in a long-range gun duel, from which it emerged unscathed to withdraw victoriously to shelter inside the harbor. It took part in the defense of the forts at Charleston on April 7 when they were attacked by a squadron of ironclad monitors under Rear Admiral Samuel Francis du Pont, USN. The Federal ships were forced to retire for repairs and did not resume the action. Chicora was actively employed in the fighting around Charleston during 1863 and 1864.…
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.