Today in History: The CSS Arkansas Is Scuttled

On this day (August 6) in 1862, the Confederates were forced to scuttle the CSS Arkansas, an ironclad, to keep it from falling into Union hands after it suffered engine trouble. The Arkansas had engaged Federal ships attacking Vicksburg and was instrumental in inducing the Union to lift the naval siege of Vicksburg (which probably was not going to succeed without a simultaneous action by the army). Less than three weeks later, the Arkansas suffered catastrophic engine trouble and with no hope for repair had to be destroyed by her own crew.