After President Lincoln imposed the blockade of Southern ports, two imposing ironclads were laid down almost simultaeneously, in side by side shipyards. They were the CSS Mississippi, and the CSS Louisiana. Materials and labor were scarce, and time was short. The Louisiana was laid down October 15, 1861. Launched February 6, 1862 and rushed, still incomplete downstream to the forts; St. Philip, and Jackson, April 19, 1862. The Louisiana was powered by 4 engines; two powering paddle wheels mounted one in front of the other on the centerline, and two powering twin screws at the stern. The engines for the propellors were not mounted, and the paddle wheels proving insufficient to propell the huge ship, she was tied to the bank to be used as a floating battery. She had a battery of 16 heavy cannon, but her ports were narrow and short, hindering her field of fire, and although firing at all passing ships, was unable to inflict a great deal of damage during the passing of the forts on April 24, 1862. The Union fleet continued upstream and took the surrender of New Orleans, cutting off all support for the forts, which surrendered a few days later. The Louisiana was set on fire, and drifted downstream firing off random guns as they heated up, then blowing up near Fort St. Philip.

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