On May 27, 1863, while raising steam at Blountstown, Florida, an early hurricane swept in and hit the area and the Chattahoochee. A malfunctioning gauge and cold water entered an already hot boiler and vaporized immediately. It exploded through the pipes.
Sixteen men were scalded to death and many others were badly injured.
The remaining crew immediately sank the Chattahoochee to keep the magazine from exploding.
It was raised a few months later and towed to Columbus, Georgia, for repairs. On April 1865, it was burned to prevent capture and remained where it was for a hundred years until it was discovered during the search for the CSS Jackson.
An Accident the Confederate Navy Just Didn't Need. --Old B-Runner
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