USS Congress (1841)

USS "Congress" (1841) – the fourth U.S. Navy ship to carry that name --was a sailing frigate, like her predecessor, USS|Congress|1799.

"Congress" served with distinction in the Mediterranean, South Atlantic Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean. She continued to operate as an American warship until the American Civil War, where she was destroyed by the ironclad CSS "Virginia" in battle off Newport News, Virginia.

Built in New Hampshire in 1841

The frigate was launched at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, 16 August 1841, and placed in commission under Captain Philip Voorhees on 7 May 1842.

Mediterranean and South Atlantic Ocean operations

Her first cruise, starting 15 July, took her to the Mediterranean for service with the Squadron of Commodores Charles W. Morgan and Charles Morris. In December 1843, she proceeded to the east coast of South America, seizing the Buenos Aires naval squadron blockading Montevideo on 29 September 1844, where she was active until January 1845 in safeguarding U.S. trade.

She was placed in ordinary at Norfolk, Virginia in March.

Mexican-American War operations

"Congress" was recommissioned, on 15 September 1845, as flagship of Commodore Robert F. Stockton and sailed for the Pacific Ocean in late October. After landing the United States Commissioner to the Sandwich Islands at Honolulu, Hawaii, on 10 June, she proceeded to Monterey Bay where she joined the Pacific Squadron. Captain Elie A. F. La Vallette assumed command on 20 July employing her along the west coast during the Mexican-American War.

Large detachments of her crew participated in battles on Rio San Gabriel and the plains of La Mesa, and in the occupation of Los Angeles. She assisted in the bombardment and capture of Guaymas in October 1847, and in November furnished a detachment which aided in the occupation of Mazatlán. On 23 August 1848, she departed La Paz, Baja California Sur for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving the following January to be placed in ordinary.

Suppressing the slave trade

In May 1850, she was assigned a threefold mission, protection of United States interests between the mouth of the Amazon and Cape Horn, prevention of the use of the American flag to cover the African slave trade, and maintenance of neutral rights during hostilities among the South American countries.

Departing Hampton Roads, Virginia on 12 June, she arrived at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1 September and assumed duty as flagship of the Brazil Squadron under Commodore Issac McKeever until June 1853. She returned to New York City on 20 July for decommissioning.

Mediterranean operations

On 19 June 1855, "Congress" sailed for the Mediterranean and there followed two years as flagship of Commodore Samuel L. Breese. Sailing from Spezia, Italy, on 26 November 1857, she arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 13 January 1858, and was placed out of commission.

In 1859, "Congress" was reassigned as flagship of Commodore Joshua R. Sands and the Brazil Squadron, remaining in that area until the Civil War precipitated her return to Boston, Massachusetts, on 22 August 1861.

American Civil War service

On 9 September 1861, she was ordered to duty under command of Captain Louis M. Goldsborough in the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, later to serve under commanding officer W. Smith, and executive officer Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith.

"Congress" was anchored off Newport News, Virginia, on 8 March 1862, when she fell under attack by the Confederate ironclad, CSS "Virginia" (ex-USS "Merrimack") and five other small ships. After exchanging broadsides with "Virginia", "Congress" slipped her moorings and ran aground in shallow water.

The ironclad and her consorts attacked from a distance and inflicted great damage on the ship, killing 120, including the commanding officer, W. Smith. Ablaze in several places and unable to bring guns to bear on the enemy, "Congress" was forced to strike her colors. Heavy shore batteries prevented "Virginia" from taking possession. Instead she fired several rounds of hot shot (red-hot cannon balls) and incendiary causing "Congress" to burn to the water's edge, and her magazine to explode. Lt. Smith, having been in command at the time, died in the action.

Hulk raised and sold

In September 1865, "Congress" was raised and taken to the Norfolk Navy Yard where she was later sold.

References

See also

* Mexican-American War
* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy