Selma Naval Foundry and Iron Works

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:

Not only did Selma present the most advantageous point in the Confederacy for manufactories, but she was accessible to and surrendered by one of the most productive sections of the South. Armies had to be fed; corn, fodder, hay, bacon and beef, could be easier centered at Selma than at any other point, an then supplies could be thrown to an army in the west, and army in the north, an army in the east or south, with more facility, than from any other point. And soon was Maj. C. E. Thames and Capt. John C. Graham placed in charge of the Subsisting Department, and millions of dollars worth of army supplies accumulated at, and was distributed from Selma, from about 1863 to 1865, employing hundreds of men.

The idea was suggested that the blockade could be broken up at Mobile, and to do this, rams of immense power and strength had to be constructed. The construction of these vessels was placed in charge of Capt. DeHaven, an experienced ship builder, who, after visiting and examining various places selected Selma as the most favorable point anywhere to be found. He went to work, and in less than nine months, had built the rams Tennessee, Selma, Morgan and Gains--all equipped in point of completeness, not equaled by any in the Federal army, and all out of material obtained and manufactured at Selma, thus proving the fact that as powerful and perfect ships could be built at Selma as any where in the world, and out of Alabama iron, out of Alabama wood, out of Nails, rods and bolts manufactured at Selma; mounted with powerful guns manufactured at Selma, and charged with powder and ball made at Selma; showing that there is nothing needed, especially in war, but what could be produced at Selma.

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