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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 59430: Officers & crew of USS Hunchback on deck, circa 1864-65

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Hunchback (1862-1865)

USS Hunchback, a 517-ton side-wheel ferryboat, was built at New York in 1852 for civilian use. Purchased by the Navy in December 1861, she was converted into a gunboat and commissioned in early January 1862. Hunchback served actively in the North Carolina Sounds and in the James River, Virginia, throughout the Civil War and engaged Confederate forces on several occasions. Decommissioned in June 1865 and sold a month later, she was thereafter employed commercially until 1880, when she was scrapped.

This page features all our views related to USS Hunchback.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 95121

"The Battle at Newbern -- Repulse of the Rebels, March 14, 1863"


Line engraving, published in "Harper's Weekly", 11 April 1863, depicting the action at Fort Anderson, Neuse River, North Carolina. U.S. Navy gunboats Hunchback, Hetzel, Ceres and Shawsheen are firing from the river at Confederate forces, as Union artillery and infantry move into position on the near shore.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 525 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59430

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Ship's officers and crew on deck, in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65. Photographed by Matthew Brady.
One man is playing the banjo in the foreground, another is holding a small white dog, while others are reading newspapers. Men seated in center appear to be peeling potatoes. Many crewmen are wearing their "flathats" in the style of berets.
About a fifth of this ship's crew appear to be African-Americans.
The original photograph has Brady negative number B-2011.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51955

USS Hunchback (1862-1869)


Some of the ship's officers and crewmen pose on deck, while she was serving on the James River, Virginia, in 1864-65.
Photographed by Matthew Brady.
Note swords, folding chairs and details of officer and enlisted uniforms.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-470.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 158KB; 740 x 580 pixels

Note:
This photograph has also been identified as having been taken on board USS Agawam, which it clearly was not.

 
Photo #: NH 59431

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Gunners loading a 12-pounder Dahlgren smooth-bore howitzer, which is mounted on a field carriage.
Photographed by Matthew Brady in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-6193.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59433

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Loading drill on a Dahlgren 12-pounder rifled howitzer, mounted on an iron field carriage, in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65. Photographed by Matthew Brady.
Note Hunchback's "walking beam" mechanism, combination sponge/ramrod in use and man at right with ammunition container.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-620.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 620 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59434

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Two sailors standing by a Dahlgren 12-pounder rifled howitzer, mounted on an iron field carriage, in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65. Photographed by Matthew Brady.
Note Hunchback's "walking beam" mechanism and sailor's uniforms.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-635.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59432

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Two of the ship's officers standing by a Dahlgren 12-pounder rifled howitzer, mounted on an iron field carriage, in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65. Photographed by Matthew Brady.
Note Hunchback's "walking beam" mechanism, officer's swords and informal uniforms.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-639.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59435

USS Hunchback (1862-65)


Two of the ship's officers seated in folding chairs on the upper deck, in the James River, Virginia, 1864-65.
Photographed by Matthew Brady.
Note Hunchback's "walking beam" mechanism at right and 12-pounder Dahlgren smooth-bore howitzer in the background.

The original photograph has Brady negative number B-613.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 12 November 1998
Coding updated 25 March 2001