From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. III, 1968, Navy 

Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History 

Division, Washington, D.C.



KEOKUK



IrcStr:

t. 677;

l. 159' 6";

b. 36';

dr. 8' 6";

s. 9 k.;

cpl. 92;

a. 2 11" D. sb.



Laid down as MOODNA, the first KEOKUK was launched at New York by 

Charles W. Whitney 6 December 1862; sponsored by Mrs. C. W. Whitney, 

wife of the builder, and commissioned March 1863; Comdr. Alexander C. 

Rhind in command.



The experimental ironclad steamer embodied some unusual concepts: her 

two stationary, cylindrical gun towers, each pierced with three gun 

ports, which often caused her to be mistaken for a double-turreted 

monitor; and her armor of horizontal iron bars alternating with strips 

of wood.



The new ironclad departed New York 11 March and steamed south to join 

the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for the attack on Charleston and 

arrived Newport News 2 days later. She got underway again on the 17th 

but returned to Hampton Roads for repairs when her port propeller fouled 

a buoy. She stood out of Hampton Roads again 22 March and arrived Port 

Royal, S.C., the 26th.



As the day of attack on Charleston approached, KEOKUK and BIBB were busy 

laying buoys to guide Rear Admiral Du Pont's ironclad flotilla into the 

strongly fortified Confederate harbor. The Union ships crossed the Stono 

Bar 6 April but were prevented from attacking that day by hazy weather 

which obscured targets and blinded pilots.



The advance began at noon on the 7th, but difficulties in clearing 

torpedoes from the path of Du Pont's ironclads slowed their progress. 

Shortly after three, they came within range of Forts Moultrie and 

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 NAHANT to avoid fouling 

her in the narrow channel. This brought her less than 600 yards from 

Fort Sumter, where she remained for half an hour receiving the 

“undivided attention” of the Confederate guns.



The game ironclad was riddled by 90 hits, one-fifth of which pierced her 

at or below the waterline. She was withdrawn from the action and 

anchored overnight beyond range of the forts while her crew struggled to 

keep her afloat. Next day, 8 April, when a breeze came up, KEOKUK took 

on more water; filled rapidly; and sank off Morris Island.