Madison (1855)

History
United States
Name	Madison
Namesake	Madison, Florida
Owner	James M. Tucker
Launched	1855
Fate	Sank in 1863 on the Suwannee River at Troy Spring, Florida

Madison was a side-wheel steamer that was likely constructed in 1855 at New Albany, Indiana. The ship was acquired by Captain James M. Tucker, who named it after his hometown of Madison, Florida. The ship ran along the Suwannee River, delivering mail and trade goods to residents of the area. When the American Civil War erupted in 1861, Tucker entered Madison into Confederate service, turning the steamer into an ad hoc smuggling gunboat. In September 1863, Tucker was ordered for service in Virginia, and before he left, he scuttled Madison at Troy Spring to prevent it being seized by the Union. In the following years, the ship's boilers, smokestacks, and cabin were salvaged, leaving the lower hull of the vessel embedded in the riverbed. The remains of the ship are still visible in the spring waters, and the wreck is a popular scuba and snorkel destination. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

References

1. "The Madison :Scuttled in Troy Spring Run". Florida Public Archaeology Network. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
2. "Wreck of the Madison". Florida State Parks . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
3. Gaines, W. Craig, Encyclopedia of Civil War Shipwrecks, Louisiana State University Press, 2008, ISBN   978-0-8071-3274-6, p. 42.
4. Keel, James R. (1981). Keel Florida's Trails to History's Treasures. Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Seajay Enterprises. p. 33.