- USS Chickasaw (1864)
USS "Chickasaw" (1864) was a monitor in the
United States Navy during theAmerican Civil War .Built in Missouri in 1864
The first
U.S. Navy ship to be so named, "Chickasaw" was built inCarondelet, Missouri , launched10 February 1864 by Thomas G. Gaylord,St. Louis, Missouri ; brought toMound City, Illinois ,8 May ; and commissioned14 May 1864 , Acting Master J. Fitzpatrick in command.Civil War service
Between
14 May and30 June 1864 "Chickasaw" patrolled on theMississippi River . Sailing toNew Orleans, Louisiana , she joined theWest Gulf Blockading Squadron 9 July . While operating with the Squadron she participated in AdmiralDavid Farragut 's victory theBattle of Mobile Bay (5 August 1864 ), during which she was struck by enemy shells 11 times, and the attacks on Forts Gaines (6 August ) and Morgan (13 August ). The monitor remained in the vicinity of Mobile Bay until3 July 1865 when she sailed down river forNew Orleans, Louisiana .Post-war decommissioning
Upon her arrival at New Orleans
6 July 1865 , "Chickasaw" was decommissioned and laid up. Between15 June and10 August 1869 she bore the name "Samson" and then reverted to "Chickasaw". She was sold at New Orleans12 September 1874 .Post-war career and heritage
"Chickasaw" was converted to a railroad ferry by her civilian owners and later converted to side-wheel propulsion under the name "Gouldsboro".
An effort to convert the retired railroad ferry into a
museum ship failed and the "Chickasaw" spent her last years as a work barge for the Bisso family near New Orleans, Louisiana, sinking in the 1950s. Recently discovered, and covered in anAssociated Press story, the "Chickasaw" drew some attention in newspapers including the "Montgomery Advertiser" in2004 . A more complete version of the story, by Mark Schleifstein can be seen at http://history-sites.com/mb/cw/cwnavy/index.cgi?noframes;read=1803References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c8/chickasaw-i.htm
*ee also
*
American Civil War
*Union Navy
*Confederate States Navy
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