USS Oneida (1861)

The second USS "Oneida" was a screw sloop-of-war in the United States Navy.

"Oneida" was authorized by Act of Congress, February 1861, and built at the New York Navy Yard; launched 20 November 1861; and commissioned 28 February 1862, Captain Samuel P. Lee in command.

Shortly after commissioning "Oneida" sailed from New York and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron commanded by Flag officer David G. Farragut. On 24 April she participated in the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip below New Orleans, Louisiana, and drove off the confederate ram which sank steam gunboat "Varuna". "Oneida" destroyed CSS "Governor Moore" in a following engagement, the same date.

On 27 April "Oneida" destroyed obstructions in the Mississippi River above Carrollton, Mississippi, helping prepare the way for the Vicksburg campaign. In both passages of the Confederate works at Vicksburg, 28 June 1862, and 15 July 1862, by the Union Fleet under Admiral Farragut, "Oneida" was second in line.

In August 1862, under command of Commander George H. Preble, "Oneida" sank the steamer "Lewis Whitman" loaded with wounded troops. Early in the following month she failed in an attempt to stop the passage of CSS "Florida" into Mobile, Alabama.

From 15 October 1863 to 23 August 1864, "Oneida" served in blockade operations off Mobile, where on 5 August she participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay and the subsequent capture of CSS "Tennessee". At a later date she witnessed the surrender of Fort Morgan at Mobile.

"Oneida" decommissioned 11 August 1865 at New York. Recommissioned in May 1867, she was attached to the Asiatic Squadron and continued in that capacity until January 1870.

Sailing out from Yokohama, Japan on 24 January 1870, "Oneida" was struck by the British Peninsula & Oriental steamer "City of Bombay", at 6:30 p.m. near Saratoga Spit. The starboard quarter was cut off "Oneida" and she was left to sink, as the "City of Bombay" steamed on without rendering assistance. "Oneida" sank at 6:45 pin in 20 fathoms (37 m) of water with the loss of 125 men, 61 sailors being saved in two Japanese fishing boats. The British captain of "City of Bombay" was apparently suspended and the ship itself was libelled, meaning that steamer and other ships of the P.&O. Line kept away from American ports.

The wreck of the "Oneida" was sold at public auction at Yokohama 9 October 1872, to Mr. Tatchobonaiya. Two Japanese salvage efforts in 1905 and 1955 recovered some gold coins and artifacts from the wreck.

See USS "Oneida" for other ships of this name.