- USS Mahopac (1863)
The first USS "Mahopac", a heavily armored "Canonicus"-class monitor built by Z. & F. Secor at New York, NY, was launched
17 May 1864 , and, after a trial trip20 August , commissioned in September at New York,Commander William A. Parker in command.The "Mahopac" participated in the joint attack on Charleston, SC
9 September . She operated on the James River in the autumn where she engaged a Confererateartillery battery at Howlett's Farm on 5 and6 December . She then steamed to the Wilmington, NC area in time to join the first bombardment ofFort Fisher 24 and25 December 1864 and the andSecond Battle of Fort Fisher 13 through15 January 1865 . In the latter attacks, she was hit eight times without serious damage.Next steaming to Charleston, "Mahopac" remained there on picket duty until
8 March when she returned toChesapeake Bay . In April, she and sister Union ships helpedGeneral Ulysses S. Grant’s force in the capture of Richmond, VA. She decommissioned in June and laid up at theWashington Navy Yard ."Mahopac" recommissioned
15 January 1866 and operated along the east coast. Renamed "Castor"15 June 1869 , she resumed the name "Mahopac"10 August . Going into reserve atHampton Roads 11 March 1872 , she recommissioned21 November 1873 and sailed to Key West, FL for fleet drill and remained there over 2 years. In1876 she steamed to Port Royal, SC and moved to Norfolk, VA in July1877 . She was stationed with several other monitors at Brandon, VA until March1880 , when she proceeded toCity Point, VA , where she was based until1888 . She was in ordinary at Richmond1889 ‑95, then moved toLeague Island . She was struck from theNavy Register 14 January 1902 and was sold25 March 1902 .See also
*See USS "Mahopac" for other ships of this name.
*See USS "Castor" for other ships of this name.References
*"This article contains text from the US Naval Historical Center."
*DANFS
*"Additional technical data from" cite book
last = Gardiner
first = Robert
coauthors =
title = Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905
publisher = Conway Maritime Press
year = 1979
pages = p. 122
month =
isbn = 0 85177 133 5External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m2/mahopac-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Mahopac"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/mahopac.htm navsource.org: USS "Mahopac"]
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