Battle of Johnsonville Archaeologcal Investigations

Archaeological Investigations

Together with Raise the Gunboats, Inc., and under the auspices of the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Tennessee Wars Commission, and the Naval Historical Center, archaeologists with Panamerican Consultants have spent the last five years locating and recording the remnants of the Union gunboats and transports lost during the stunning raid by the Confederate forces. Believed to be all that remains of the numerous vessels lost during the conflagration, to date, only the Tinclad Undine, and two transports have been located. Burned to the water line and subsequently salvaged, little remains of the actual vessels but the lower hull. However, the vessel types and the battle they fought and lost in are reflected in the numerous artifacts that still exist within the hulls.

Diver preparing to investigate one of the shipwrecks at Johnsonville.

The Wreck Sites

To date, the remains of three vessels associated with the Union defeat have been located. These include the remains of the Tinclad Undine, and two transports. Originally a 140-foot sternwheel steamboat built in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1863, the remains of the Undine are buried under eight feet of sediment downstream from the depot in an area identified on an historic after-battle map as the location of the vessel. Heavily salvaged of all her guns and armor, very little remains of the burned vessel but her lower hull.

Two vessels identified as transports and most likely sternwheelers were also located. Situated in what would then have been the waterfront of the town, the two vessels sit side by side as if they had been tied together during the battle. Buried under three feet of sediment, the vessels are burned to the waterline.

Outline of Union Transports burned during the battle and now buried at the Johnsonville waterfront.

Represented by this cross-section, all that remains of the burned vessels is their lower hulls.

Represented by this cross-section, all that remains of the burned vessels is their lower hulls.

Artist rendition of the diver examination of the Johnsonville wreck sites. Note what actually remains of the burned vessel versus its pre-battle profile.

Artifacts Recovered

Intact monkey's fist knot typically used to heave lines from a boat.

Fire bricks helped protect wood steamboats from the heat of the steam boilers. The stamped maker's marks help archaeologists identify the vessels. This "JSP" brick is thought to have been made by J.S. Porter, a brick maker on the Ohio River in West Virginia.

Numerous uniform button types have been found in the hulls. The button shown here has an Eagle insignia representative of a general service button dating from the 1840s to 1865.

Cargo hook with single thimble.

Several examples of hard tack

French roast? Perhaps. Definitely coffee, though...


Together with Raise the Gunboats, Inc., and under the auspices of the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Tennessee Wars Commission, and the Naval Historical Center, archaeologists with Panamerican Consultants have spent the last five years locating and recording the remnants of the Union gunboats and transports lost during the stunning raid by the Confederate forces. Believed to be all that remains of the numerous vessels lost during the conflagration, to date, only the Tinclad Undine, and two transports have been located. Burned to the water line and subsequently salvaged, little remains of the actual vessels but the lower hull. However, the vessel types and the battle they fought and lost in are reflected in the numerous artifacts that still exist within the hulls. Diver preparing to investigate one of the shipwrecks at Johnsonville. The Wreck Sites To date, the remains of three vessels associated with the Union defeat have been located. These include the remains of the Tinclad Undine, and two transports. Originally a 140-foot sternwheel steamboat built in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1863, the remains of the Undine are buried under eight feet of sediment downstream from the depot in an area identified on an historic after-battle map as the location of the vessel. Heavily salvaged of all her guns and armor, very little remains of the burned vessel but her lower hull. Two vessels identified as transports and most likely sternwheelers were also located. Situated in what would then have been the waterfront of the town, the two vessels sit side by side as if they had been tied together during the battle. Buried under three feet of sediment, the vessels are burned to the waterline.


Outline of Union Transports burned during the battle and now buried at the Johnsonville waterfront.

Represented by this cross-section, all that remains of the burned vessels is their lower hulls.


Represented by this cross-section, all that remains of the burned vessels is their lower hulls.


		Artist rendition of the diver examination of the Johnsonville wreck sites. Note what actually remains of the burned vessel versus its pre-battle profile.



Artifacts Recovered

		Intact monkey's fist knot typically used to heave lines from a boat.


Fire bricks helped protect wood steamboats from the heat of the steam boilers. The stamped maker's marks help archaeologists identify the vessels. This "JSP" brick is thought to have been made by J.S. Porter, a brick maker on the Ohio River in West Virginia.

Numerous uniform button types have been found in the hulls. The button shown here has an Eagle insignia representative of a general service button dating from the 1840s to 1865.


Cargo hook with single thimble.


Several examples of hard tack
French roast? Perhaps. Definitely coffee, though...