CSS Nashville (1864)

:"For other ships named "Nashville", see ""USS" Nashville"."

CSS "Nashville" was a large side-wheel steam ironclad built by the Confederates at Montgomery, Alabama intended to exploit the availability of riverboat engines. Launched in mid-1863, "Nashville" was taken to Mobile, Alabama for completion in 1864. Part of her armor came from the Baltic. Her first commander was Lieutenant Charles Carroll Simms, CSN.

Still fitting out, she took no part in the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. She helped fend off attacks on Spanish Fort, Al. 27 Mar 65, supported Confederate commander Randall L Gibson until driven away by Federal batteries and shelled Federal troops near Fort Blakely 2 Apr 65. Retreated up Tombigbee River 12 Apr 65 when Mobile surrendered. Was one of the vessels formally surrendered by Commodore Ebenezer Farrand, CSN, at Nanna Hubba, Alabama on May 10, 1865. Commanders: Lieutenant Charles Carroll Simms (64), Lt. John W. Bennett (late 64 -May 65).

Although never quite finished, she had been heavily armored with triple 2-inch plating forward and around her pilot house, only a single thickness aft and there had been some doubts expressed that her builders might have overestimated her structural strength. Rear Admiral Henry K. Thatcher, USN, wrote on June 30, 1865, after survey, "She was hogged when surrendered and is not strong enough to bear the weight of her full armor." He was certain "she could not live in a seaway."

"Nashville" was purchased by the Navy Department and sold to breakers at New Orleans, Louisiana on November 22, 1867, her iron sheathing having been removed for naval use.