- USS Osage (1863)
The first USS "Osage" was a single-turreted "Neosho"-class river monitor named after the American Indian tribe living in the
Missouri area (at that time). "Osage" was launched13 January 1863 by James B. Eads at hisUnion Iron Works , Carondelet, Mo., and commissioned at Cairo, Il.10 July 1863, Acting Vol. Lt.Joseph Pitty Couthouy in command."Osage" and her sister "Neosho" were the first of Eads’ river warships to employ the “turtleback” design which became his hallmark and were the only monitors to be propelled by stern wheels. Their shallow draft made them extremely useful in the riverine warfare to come.
She sailed from Cairo for patrol duty in the Red River, and participated in the expedition up the Black, Ouachita, and Washita Rivers,
29 February to5 March 1864 . She also participated in the expedition up the Red River to Alexandria, La.,12 March to22 May and assisted in the capture of Fort De Russy, La.14 March .Transferred to the
West Gulf Blockading Squadron 1 February 1865 , "Osage" participated in the attack on Spanish Fort, Al., near Mobile, Al.,28 March 1865. The next day she was sunk by a torpedo in the Blakely River. Her hulk was raised and sold at auction atNew Orleans 22 November 1867 .References
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o4/osage-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Osage"]
ee also
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.