USS Baron DeKalb (1861)

USS "Baron DeKalb" (1861) was a City class ironclad gunboat constructed for the Union Navy by James B. Eads during the American Civil War.

The USS "Baron DeKalb", named after General Baron DeKalb of Hüttendorf near Erlangen, in present-day Bavaria, was originally named "Saint Louis", and was one of seven City class ironclads built at Carondelet, Missouri and Mound City, Illinois, for the United States Navy's Western Gunboat Flotilla.

These ironclads were shallow draft with a center driven paddle wheel. They were partially armored and slow and very hard to steer in the currents of rivers. This ironclad was also vulnerable to plunging fire and also by hits in their un-armored areas. Called "Pook Turtles" for the designer, they did yeoman service through 4 years of war and were present at almost every battle on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Built in Missouri in 1861

Originally built as the "St. Louis", the stern wheel casemate gunboat was built by James B. Eads, Carondelet, Missouri, for the U.S. War Department. She was launched as St. Louis, Missouri, 12 October 1861 and joined the Western Gunboat Fleet.

Civil War service

Assigned to Union Army operations

During 1862 "St. Louis", under the command of Lieutenant L. Paulding, was attached to Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote's squadron and participated in the capture of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River (6 February 1862). She served as flagship for the squadron when it assisted the Union Army at the capture of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River (14-16 February 1862). Between April and June 1862, she operated against Fort Pillow, Tennessee.

"St. Louis" was renamed "Baron De Kalb" 8 September 1862.

Reassigned to the Union Navy

On 1 October 1862 "Baron De Kalb" was transferred to the Navy Department. During 21-28 December she took part in the Yazoo Expedition and participated in the action at Drumgould's Bluff (28 December).

During 1863 "Baron De Kalb" took part in the capture of Arkansas Post (10-11 January); expedition up the White River (12-14 January); Yazoo Pass Expedition (20 February-5 April); action at Fort Pemberton (11-13 March); action at Haines' Bluff (29 April-2 May, 18 May); action at Yazoo City, Mississippi (20-23 May); and the Yazoo River Expedition (24-31 May).

Sunk by mine

On 13 July 1863 "Baron De Kalb" was sunk by a mine (then called a "torpedo") in the Yazoo River, one mile below Yazoo City, Mississippi.

Chronology

*January 11, 1862 against CSN vessels near Lucas Bend, Missouri.
*February 6, 1862 attacking Battle of Fort Henry, Tennessee.
*February 14, 1862 attacking Fort Donelson, Tennessee. (Hit 59 times with severe damage).
*Repaired at St. Louis.
*February 23, 1862 attacked Columbus, Kentucky, a demonstration during Battle of Belmont.
*March 15 through April 7, 1862, Battle of Island Number 10.
*April 13, 1862, attacked Fort Pillow
*May 10, 1862, involved in the Fort Pillow.
*June 6, 1862, Battle of Memphis destroying the Confederate Mississippi river fleet with her sister ships and several "Ellet Rams"
*June 17, 1862, participated in the expedition up the White River (Arkansas) bombarding positions at St. Charles, Arkansas.
*September 8, 1862, re-christened USS "Baron De Kalb".
*November 21 through December 11, 1862; Expedition up the Yazoo River.
*December 5, 1862, captured the steamer "Lottie".
*December 28, 1862, bombarded the batteries at Drumgold's Bluff.
*January 10-11, 1863, took part in the Battle of Fort Hindman, Arkansas
*March 11-23, 1863, took part in the Battle of Fort Pemberton, Tallahatchie River
*May 18, 1863, took part in capture of Battle of Haynes Bluff.
*May 19, 1863, captured the steamer "Alonzo Child".
*May 20-23, 1863, helped destroy the Yazoo City Navy Yard.
*May 24-31, 1863, made an expedition up the Yazoo River.
*July 13, 1863, sunk by a torpedo one mile below Yazoo City.

ee also

* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy

References