U.S.S. Essex
1861
(Aquarius AQ-S-14)
- Class: Essex - 1 river ironclad of 1861
- Displacement: 355 tons
- Dimensions: 198'6" x 58' x 6'9"
- Machinery: Center wheel, 2 engines, 4 boilers = 5.5 knots
- Armor: 3" casemates
- Armament: 1 10" Smooth Bore, 3 9" Smooth Bore, 1 32-pdr. Rifle
- Complement: 134
- Builder: Page & Bacon
- Built: 1856
- Acquired: 1861
- Commissioned: 15 Oct 1861
- Decommissioned: 20 Jul 1865
- Notes: Converted from snag boat New Era to a plan by Eads. Originally timberclad, but armor added, hull lengthened, and renamed Dec 1861. Transferred from the Army, 1 Oct 1862.
- Service: Cumberland River expedition, Nov 1861.
Engagement with CSN vessels near Lucas Bend, Mo., Mississippi River, 11 Jan 1862. Bolier burst when struck by shell during attack on Ft. Henry, Tenn., 6 Feb 1862. Attack on CSS Arkansas at Vicksburg, 22 Jul, and again at Baton Rouge, La., 5 Aug 1862. Bombardment of Port Hudson, La., 13 Dec 1862. Occupation of Baton Rouge, 17 Dec 1862. Bombardment of Port Hudson, 8 May - 9 Jul 1863. Bombardment at Whitehall Point, La., 10 Jul 1863. Red River Expedition, 12 Mar - 16 May 1864.
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