In 1862, the Ladies Gunboat Association raised more than $115,000 to build a new ironclad warship to defend the rivers of Savannah. Unfortunately, the ship's propulsion system proved inadequate for maneuvering the massive vessel. As a result, it was used more as a floating battery or "floating fortress."

On the evening of December 20, 1864, the Georgia's Confederate crew scuttled her in front of Fort Jackson to keep her from falling into Union hands. The Georgia sank quickly. As one Confederate officer noted, he had just enough time to retrieve his sidearm and sword before the Savannah River swallowed the ship.

Today, the Georgia rests some forty feet below the river's surface. Several groups of archaeologists have conducted dives on the wreck. In 1986, divers brought up two of the ship's cannon, a great deal of ammunition, and other artifacts. These unique pieces of Civil War naval history are on display at Old Fort Jackson and the Savannah History Museum.