CSS Virginia

CSS Virginia
This is an original watercolor based upon my research of the ship. There are many illustrations of the Virginia, none or which are truly accurate. A trip to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk to view their extremely detailed model provided me with the detail that I was looking to create this painting. The CSS Virginia, erroneously called the Merrimack by revisionist historians , was the most notable of all the Confederate ironclads. It's epic battle with the Union Ironclad Monitor at Hampton Roads is one of the most significant events of the War of Northern Aggression.

The David

CSS David

This is an orginal painting of the CSS David inspired by the work of R.G.Skerrett and numerous Civil War era photographs.

Also known as "the little David", the CSS David was a steam powered semi- submersible torpedo boat that operated around Charleston about the same time as the Hunley. The David was conceived and designed by Dr. St. Julian Ravenel. She was built with private funds at Stoney Landing up on the Cooper river.

The David was designed to ride very low in the water and attack by ramming a ship with a spare mounted torpedo. The David was credited with the first successful torpedo attack in history against the federal New Ironsides, damaging her enough to cause her to withdraw and make repairs.

CSS Manassas

CSS Manassas

CSS Manassas, a 387-ton ironclad ram, converted to a warship at Algiers, Louisiana. Her above-water hull was reshaped to a "turtle-back" form and covered with iron plating. She was given a pointed iron ram at the bow and carried a single gun that fired forward through a small opening. Her low profile made her a difficult target, while her armor protected her against all but the most well-directed enemy gunfire.

CSS Richmond

Another of my R.G. Skerrett reproductions. The CSS Richmond was started at the Norfolk Navy Yard. When the Confederates evacuated the Norfolk area, she was towed up the James River to Richmond, Virginia for completion. She thereafter served in the James River Squadron, protecting the Confederacy's capital city from waterborne assault.

CSS Atlanta

Another of my R.G. Skerritt copies. The CSS Atlanta was a confederate ironclad ram. She was captured after skirmishes in Wassaw Sound and became the USS Atlanta