The Confederate Ironclad Tennesse II was one of the best armed and armored ironclads that the Confederacy was able to build. She was built to protect the important port of Mobile. The Union navy blockaded the port during the early war years, but finally, on the fifth of August 1864, Admiral Farrugut attacked with overwhelming force. 14 wooden warships and 4 monitor type ironclads passed the guns of Fort Morgan successfully, although the monitor USS Tecumseh was sunk after striking a torpedo (mine) in the channel. After passing the forts, the Union fleet came to anchor in Mobile bay and piped the hands to breakfast at which point Admiral Buchanan ordered the CSS Tennessee to attack the Union fleet. The Tennessee fought the fleet for over an hour, but without inflicting appreciable damage on the Union ships. She herself had her stack shot away, several gunport shutters jammed, and finally the rudder chains were shot away. Unable to steer, steam or fire, she finally surrendered.

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