simply notes that the ship was equipped with four rifled guns and two smoothbore shell guns. Sources agree that Richmonds casemate was protected by of wrought-iron armor in two layers of plates. The casemate structure consisted of , or of oak and yellow pine. The roof of the casemate was covered by iron plates, backed by of wood. One layer of two-inch plates protected the fore and aft main decks and extended below the waterline for several feet. A 10-inch iron casting supposedly defended the pilothouse. Construction and career Named for the capitol of the Confederacy, Richmond was begun at Gosport Navy Yard in March 1862, launched on May 6 and towed up to her namesake that very night to escape Federal forces threatening the yard and the lower James River. She was sometimes referred to as Virginia II, Virginia No. 2 or Young Virginia in the South and as Merrimack No. 2, New Merrimack or Young Merrimack by Union writers, months before the actual was ever laid down. The ironclad was thus finished at Richmond, Virginia, in July 1862 and placed in commission by Commander Robert B. Pegram, as part of the James River Squadron. During 1863 and early 1864 the James front was quiet, but from May 1864 momentous events followed in quick succession. The Confederate Navy had three new ironclads in Captain French Forrest's James River Squadron there, and minor actions were frequent. During 1864 Richmond, under Lieutenant William Harwar Parker, CSN, took part in engagements at Dutch Gap on August 13, Fort Harrison on September 29 – October 1, and Chaffin's Bluff on October 22. On January 23–24, 1865, she was under heavy fire while aground with Virginia II above the obstructions at Trent's Reach — at an angle that caused Federal projectiles to ricochet harmlessly off their casemates. But Richmonds unarmored tender, , being lashed alongside Richmond, was severely damaged by the explosion of s magazine. The ironclads were forced to withdraw under the Confederate batteries at Chaffin's Bluff. A few weeks later, however, Richmond had to be destroyed to avoid capture by order of Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes, squadron commander, prior to the evacuation of the Confederate capital on April 3. Commanders The commanders of the CSS Richmond were: Commander Robert B. Pegram (November 1862 – May 1864) Commander William Harwar Parker (May–June 1864) Lieutenant John S. Maury (July–October 26, 1864) Commander William A.