USS Switzerland (1854)

US Ram "Switzerland" was an ironclad ram during the American Civil War.

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A 413-ton side-wheel towboat, she was built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854 and converted to a ram in March-May 1862 for Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr.'s U.S. Ram Fleet. She played a distant role in the 6 June 1862 naval action off Memphis, Tennessee, and subsequently took part in operations in the Yazoo River and against Vicksburg, Mississippi.

On 25 March 1863, while commanded by Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, "Switzerland" joined the ram "Lancaster" in an attempt to pass the Vicksburg fortress. Both ships were heavily hit by Confederate gunfire, with "Lancaster" being sunk. Despite her damage, "Switzerland" survived the trip and made a subsequent successful passage of the fortifications at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, on March 31. She took part in operations on the Red and Atchafalaya rivers in May and June 1863. Later in the war, "Switzerland" was part of the Mississippi Marine Brigade.

She was sold in October 1865 and was employed as the merchant steamer "Switzerland" until about 1870.

"Switzerland" never was commissioned as a Navy vessel.

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