Destruction of CSS Arkansas

Destruction of CSS Arkansas at the Battle of Baton Rouge on 5 August, 1862, during American Civil War by J O Davidson. CSS Arkansas was ordered to take part in the battle by General Earl Van Dorn, despite warnings that the engines needed repairing and repeated breakdowns en route. As the battle began, her crank pins failed, leaving her helplessly floating. The crew abandoned ship, but not before breaking up the engines, spreading ammunition around and setting fire to the vessel. Taken from 'Battles and Leaders of the Civil War', vol. III, ed. Robert Underwood Johnson & Clarence Clough Buel, published by the Century Co in New York, 1888, p.579.