The CSS Charleston was a Confederate Navy ironclad

Ironclad warship

An ironclad was a steam-propelled warship in the early part of the second half of the 19th century, protected by iron or steel armor plates. The ironclad was developed as a result of the vulnerability of wooden warships to explosive or incendiary shells. The first ironclad battleship, La Gloire,...

 ram during the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

. Construction at Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...

 was authorized in fall 1862 and the ship was laid down in December 1862, entering service nine months later. The Charleston served as the Charleston Squadron's flagship alongside CSS Palmetto State

CSS Palmetto State

CSS Palmetto State, an ironclad ram, was built by Cameron and Co., Charleston, South Carolina in January 1862, under the supervision of Flag Officer D. N. Ingraham, CSN. She was readied for service by September 1862 when Lieutenant Commander John Rutledge, CSN, was placed in command. Her armor was...

 and CSS Chicora

CSS Chicora

CSS Chicora was a Confederate ironclad ram that fought in the American Civil War. She was built under contract at Charleston, South Carolina in 1862. James M. Eason built her to John L...

 during the defence of that city. Captained by Cdr. Isaac N. Brown

Isaac N. Brown

Isaac Newton Brown was a naval officer in both the United States Navy and the Confederate States Navy. He received the Confederate Medal of Honor for his distinguished service during the American Civil War....

. Set on fire and abandoned in Charleston harbor on February 18, 1865 to prevent capture, along with its sister ships, as the city was evacuated by the Confederates.

The Charleston was larger and stronger than the other two Charleston ironclads, but was underpowered with unreliable engines.