CSS Columbia - As CSS Columbia

As CSS Columbia

Columbia was constructed under contract at Charleston, South Carolina in 1864, of yellow pine and white oak with iron fastenings and 6 inch (150 mm) iron plating. Hull work was done by F. M. Jones to John L. Porter's plans, plating and machinery by James M. Eason; her casemate was shortened to conserve precious metal and clad with 6" iron. Columbia was launched in March 1864 and entered service later in that year.

When the Union forces took possession of Charleston on 18 February 1865, they found the greatly prized Columbia in jeopardy near Fort Moultrie; while on duty as part of the defenses of Charleston, she had run on a sunken wreck and been damaged on 12 January 1865. Columbia was found to have had her guns and some armor plating removed and ship-worms already at work.