Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 60648:  USS Metacomet.  Artwork by Xanthus Smith, 1864

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

USS Metacomet (1864-1868)

USS Metacomet, a 1173-ton Sassacus class "double-ender" steam gunboat built at Brooklyn, New York, was commissioned in January 1864. Assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, she was initially active off and in Mobile Bay, Alabama. In June 1864, Metacomet captured the steam blockade runner Donegal and helped destroy the Ivanhoe. She participated in the 5 August Battle of Mobile Bay, pursuing and capturing the Confederate gunboat Selma. Later in August, Metacomet took part in the successful seige of Fort Morgan, at the entrance to Mobile Bay.

Metacomet was later sent to join the blockade off the Texas coast, where she captured three vessels in November 1864-January 1865. During March and April 1865, she participated in mine clearance operations in Mobile Bay. USS Metacomet decommissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August 1865 and was sold in October 1868.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Metacomet.


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 60648

USS Metacomet (1864-1868)


Artwork by Xanthus Smith, depicting the ship at Pensacola, Florida, on 30 August 1864.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 505 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 47017

USS Metacomet (1864-1868)


Line engraving, after a sketch by George Watters, published in "Harper's Weekly", 10 December 1864, page 789, depicting a Sunday morning inspection aboard the ship. Crewmen are paraded with cutlasses beside one of the gunboat's 100-pounder Parrott rifled guns.
Note hoisting arrangements in the hatch at left, possibly to supply ammunition to the gun, officers standing at right and hammocks stowed in the hammock rails.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 42219

Capture of CSS Selma by USS Metacomet, 5 August 1864


Engraving by Winham, "from a War-time sketch", published in "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War", Volume IV, page 394, depicting an incident of the Battle of Mobile Bay.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 118KB; 740 x 515 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 83136

"Entrance of Rear Admiral Farragut in to Mobile Bay. August 5th 1864"


Chart of the action, prepared by RAdm. D.G. Farragut, Washington, D.C., March 1st, 1865.
See Photo # NH 83136 (complete caption) for further information, as printed on the original chart.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 277KB; 870 x 1200 pixels

 


For a view related to USS Metacomet's participation in the 5 August 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay, see:

  • Quarter Gunner Henry (Charles) Baker, USN (1809-1891).


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 7 March 2001
    Link added 31 December 2007