CSS TENNESSEE model

The CSS Tennessee was the flagship of Admiral Buchanan. She served gallantly in action in the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. On that morning Tennessee and three wooden gunboats steamed into combat against Admiral David G. Farragut's powerful fleet of four ironclad monitors and 14 wooden steamers. Unable to ram the Union ships because of their superior speed, the CSS Tennessee fired continually on the Federals at close range.

When the Confederate gunboats were sunk and dispersed, Farragut's fleet steamed up into the bay and anchored. Buchanan might have held Tennessee under the fort's protection but steamed after the Federal fleet and engaged the enemy despite overwhelming odds. She became the target for the entire Union fleet. Being rammed by several ships and steering chains (which, oddly, lay in exposed trenches on the after deck) broken by the heavy gunfire, she was unable to maneuver and was pounded by heavy solid shots from the Union.  Even so, Tennessee continued to roar her guns. In the end, with two men killed, Admiral Buchanan and eight others wounded, she was captured. 

Tennessee was built at Selma, Alabama, where she was commissioned on February 16, 1864. Her steam plant came from the steamer Alonzo Child. Her casemate design differed materially from CSS Columbia and CSS Texas, but iron plate was the same 2" by 10" as used on CSS Huntsville and CSS Tuscaloosa but triple thickness instead of double.

We build this primarily wood model of the CSS Tennessee the following sizes.

- 17.5" long  (1:144 scale) $2,260. Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $200 flat rate.

- 29" long (HO scale 1:87) $2,790. Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $300 flat rate.  

Model is built per commission only. We require only a small deposit to start the construction $500. The remaining balance won't be due until the boat is completed, in less than six months.

Other ship, different size? Just let us know by clicking on this link: Commissioning. 

Be sure to check out our beautiful USS Monitor model, USS Tecumseh, CSS Virginia model, USS Cairo.

I just wanted to let you know that I received the CSS Tennesse today and it's a wonderful model ship. It's more than I bargained for. It's a beautiful model ship and it helps me understand how awesome these ironclad rams must of looked like during the Civil War. Especially theses rams going up against wooden ships. I'll be keeping a watch of your website and look forward to commissioning another historic model. Thanks again, R. Montero"

Learn more about the CSS Tennessee here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Tennessee_(1863)