Port Columbus – National Civil War Naval Museum     

 

  
  Location: 1002 Victory Drive, exit #1b from I-185, then 5 miles in Columbus, GA.
 		  
  Vessels: Remains of the CSS Jackson, historic ironclad ship built in Columbus during the Civil War.  225 feet long, 54 feet wide, 2000 tons displacement.  Also part of the stern section of the CSS Chattahoochee, a 130 foot long gunboat built just above the Florida state line on the Chattahoochee River.  Both vessels were sunk at the end of the war and recovered in the early 1960’s. 
 		  
 

Exhibits: Port Columbus is the only museum in the nation dedicated to telling the comprehensive story of the Civil War navies.  It features not only the original vessels above, but full scale reconstructions of portions of three other famous Civil War vessels, the USS Monitor, USS Hartford and the ironclad CSS Albemarle.  Countless fascinating artifacts are displayed including the uniform coat worn by the skipper of the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) during its famous battle with the Monitor.  An ironclad battle simulator concludes the visit providing the visitor with an opportunity to actually experience Civil War period naval combat.

 

  
     
 

 

 

A sensational Civil War naval flag exhibit,  the largest display of navy related flags from the Civil War anywhere in the country.  Fourteen flags representing ships and forts from the entire scope of the Civil War are seen in the new exhibit called, “Ramparts to Topmast: Flags of Triumph and Despair.”

 

 

 

  
 

 

At more than 160 feet in length, the model of the USS Water WitchUSS Water Witch will become a new landmark in Columbus.  “The masts are nearly 90 feet tall and the ship will have side paddle wheels which will turn and smoke will come from the smokestack as well,” said Smith.  The original ship was stationed as a  blockader in Savannah during the war and was then captured in a Confederate Navy commando raid in 1864.  The ships story is compelling since it involved a famous African-American, Moses Dallas, and then served in the Confederate Navy as well.


The highlight of the museum is the 180-foot hull of the CSS Jackson, an ironclad ram, a boat set on put to fire in the Chattahoochee River by the Union troops of Gen. James Wilson. Also on display are what's left of the CSS Chattahoochee and an intact rowboat from the USS Hartford.


Two models of the warships Monitor and Merrimac (the CSS Virginia) used in the Turner Broadcasting film "Ironclads" are among the hundreds of "incredible Civil War artifacts" scattered in the museum.


There is a battle experience theater that will put visitors right in the middle of a Civil War battle.

 

  
 

 

You can even buy a cannon shot from our big gun overlooking the Chattahoochee River.

The Brooks cannon is the largest civil war cannon fired today anywhere in the nation, at 15,000 lbs. using 15 lbs. of black powder and a 7 inch ball it was a devastating weapon.
 

  
  The museum is open every day from 9-5, closed only on Christmas Day. 
 		  
  Admission is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors 65 and older and active military, and $5.00 for students.  Children 6 and under are free with another paid admission.  Group rates are available, tours and programs are also available.
 		  
  The museum is now also available for parties and special events.
Special tours are available for school classes, please call for details.

 

  
 

Port Columbus

National Civil War Naval Museum

1002 Victory Drive

Columbus, GA 31902         706-327-9798

Email: cwnavy@portcolumbus.org

Web site: http://www.portcolumbus.org

  
 
 


Hit Counter