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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 42258:  Artwork of the Japanese ironclad Azuma

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- JAPANESE NAVY SHIPS --

Azuma (Ironclad Ram, 1865).
Named Kôtetsu until 1871

Azuma, a 1390-ton ironclad ram, was formerly the Confederate Navy ironclad Stonewall. The United States, which took her over after the end of the Civil War, sold the ship to Japan in August 1867. She was delivered to the Japanese Shogun's government in April 1868, then reverted to American ownership and in 1869 was turned over to the forces backing the Japanese Emperor. Under the name Kôtetsu, she took part in the the civil war then raging in Japan and played an important role in the naval battle of Hakodate in June 1869. In 1871, after the victory of the Imperial cause, she was renamed Azuma. The ship remained a part of Japan's combat fleet until January 1888, when she was reduced to harbor service as an accomodation hulk.

This page features all our images of the Japanese ironclad ram Azuma, which was previously CSS Stonewall.

For views of this ship prior to her Japanese service, see:

  • CSS Stonewall.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 42258

    Azuma
    (Japanese ironclad ram, 1865)

    19th Century photograph of an artwork depicting the ship in a Far Eastern port, circa the late 1860s. Originally named Kotetsu in Japanese service, this ship was renamed Azuma in 1871. She was formerly the Confederate ironclad Stonewall.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101772

    Azuma
    (Japanese ironclad ram, 1865)

    This ship, the former Confederate ironclad Stonewall, was purchased from the United States in the late 1860s. She was initially named Kotetsu in Japanese service, but was renamed Azuma in 1871.

    Courtesy of Tom Stribling, 1986.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 2906

    Azuma
    (Japanese ironclad ram, 1865)

    Lithograph published in Japan, circa the late 19th Century or early 20th Century.
    This ship was originally the Confederate warship Stonewall.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 138KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 86930

    Azuma
    (Japanese ironclad ram, 1865)

    Halftone reproduction of an artwork. This ship was originally the Confederate ironclad Stonewall. Purchased by Japan in 1867, she was handed over to the Meiji fleet in 1869 and named Kotetsu. In 1871, she was renamed Azuma.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42257

    Stonewall
    (Confederate ironclad ram, 1865)

    Photographed circa the later 1860s. Buildings in the background indicate that the view may have been taken in the Far East, after the ship had been sold to Japan. She was initially called Kotetsu in Japanese service and was later renamed Azuma.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42783

    Battle of Hakodate, June 1869


    Artwork from a 19th or early 20th Century Japanese publication, depicting the last battle in the war that restored the authority of the Japanese Emperor.
    The leading ship of the Imperial squadron, in the foreground, is the ironclad ram Kotetsu (formerly the Confederate Stonewall). She is followed by the paddle steamer Kasuga.
    The enemy squadron, shown in the right distance, included the steamers Kaiten, Banryu and Chiyodagata. All three were sunk, but the last two were salvaged and entered service with the Imperial Navy.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     

    For views of this ship prior to her Japanese service, see:

  • CSS Stonewall.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 2 October 2001