USS Keokuk (1862) - Service History

Service History

The new ironclad departed New York on 11 March and steamed south to join the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for the attack on Charleston, South Carolina, and arrived at Newport News, Virginia, two days later. She got underway again on 17 March but returned to Hampton Roads for repairs when her port propeller fouled a buoy. She stood out of Hampton Roads again on 22 March and arrived at Port Royal, South Carolina on 26 March.

As the day of attack on Charleston approached, Keokuk and USS Bibb were busy laying buoys to guide Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont's ironclad flotilla, which included USS New Ironsides and seven monitors, into the strongly fortified Confederate harbor. The Union ships crossed the Stono Bar on 6 April but were prevented from attacking that day by hazy weather which obscured targets and blinded pilots.

The First Battle of Charleston Harbor began at noon on 7 April, but difficulties in clearing torpedoes from the path of Du Pont's ironclads slowed their progress. Shortly after 3 p.m., they came within range of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter; and the battle began. Southern obstruction and a strong flood tide made the ironclad virtually unmanageable, while accurate fire from the forts played upon them at will. With the Union formation scrambled, Keokuk was compelled to run ahead of crippled USS Nahant to avoid fouling her in the narrow channel. This brought her less than 600 yards (550 m) from Fort Sumter, where she remained for half an hour receiving the undivided attention of the Confederate guns.

Keokuk was struck by about ninety projectiles, many of which hit at or below her waterline. Her experimental armor was completely inadequate to protect her from this onslaught and she was "completely riddled." She was able to withdraw and anchor out of range, thanks to the skills of her pilot, Robert Smalls, and her crew kept her afloat through the night. When a breeze came up on the morning of 8 April 1863, Keokuk began taking on more water, filled rapidly, and sank off Morris Island. She had given one month of commissioned service. One of Keokuk's sailors, Quartermaster Robert Anderson, was awarded the Medal of Honor in part for his actions during the battle.

After the battle, the Keokuk continued to figure in the war. She had sunk in shallow water that left her smokestack above the surface, so her position was known. Adolphus W. LaCoste, a Charleston civilian hired by the Confederate government, was able to salvage the two 11-inch (280 mm) guns from the wreck. He and his crew worked by night and were able to escape notice of the blockaders. The Union did not suspect their activity until it was announced in the Charleston Mercury.