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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS Sassacus (1863-1868)
USS Sassacus was built at the Portsmouth Navy Yard,
Kittery, Maine, as the first of a class of twenty-eight 974-ton
"Double-Ender" side-wheel steam gunboats. Commissioned
in October 1863, she spent several months undergoing repairs and
then joined the blockade off Wilmington, North Carolina. In February
1864, Sassacus was involved in the destruction of two blockade
runners, one after a long chase. She began operations in the North
Carolina Sounds in April 1864, and on 5 May closely engaged the
Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle.
During this action, Sassacus was badly damaged when she
rammed the enemy ironclad, which escaped essentially unhurt. Despite
her damages, she remained on duty in North Carolina and Virginia
waters until September 1864, when she could finally be released
for refit.
Sassacus returned to war service in November 1864 and
took part in the two assaults on Fort Fisher, N.C., in December
and January. She then operated on the rivers leading to Wilmington,
N.C., and Richmond, Virginia, during the remaining months of the
Civil War. Sassacus decommissioned in May 1865 and was
sold in August 1868.
This page features the only views we have related to USS Sassacus.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 1673
"Wood versus Iron"
19th Century photograph of an artwork by Acting Second Engineer
Alexander C. Stuart, USN, 1864.
It shows CSS Albemarle engaging several Federal gunboats
on Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, on 5 May 1864. USS Sassacus
is in left center, ramming the Confederate ironclad. Other U.S.
Navy ships seen are (from left): Commodore Hull, Wyalusing
and Mattabesett. The Confederate transport Bombshell,
captured during the action, is in the right background.
Albemarle was not significantly damaged during this action,
which left Sassacus disabled by a hit in one of her boilers.
Collection of Surgeon H.P. Babcock, presented by George R. Babcock,
1938.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 505 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 1500
"U.S.S. Sassacus and C.S.S. Albemarle"
19th Century photograph of an artwork, depicting USS Sassacus
ramming the Confederate ironclad, during Albemarle's engagement
with Federal gunboats on Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May
1864.
Sassacus was hit in a boiler and disabled during this
action. Albemarle was not significantly damaged by the
ramming or by gunfire.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 59162
"The Steamship 'Sassacus' Ramming The Rebel Ram 'Albemarle'"
Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 4 June 1864,
depicting USS Sassacus ramming CSS Albemarle, during
the Confederate ironclad's engagement with U.S. Navy gunboats
in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May 1864.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 79923
"The Sassacus Ramming The Albemarle"
Artwork by Bacon, published in "Deeds of Valor", Volume
II, page 58, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
It depicts USS Sassacus ramming the Confederate ironclad
Albemarle, in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May 1864.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 142KB; 740 x 560 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 59170
"Second Attack upon Fort Fisher, showing the positions of
the vessels, and the lines of fire", 13-15 January 1865
Chart by Walter A. Lane, published in "The Soldier in our
Civil War", Volume II.
The positions of 58 ships are represented on the chart.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 216KB; 825 x 1225
pixels |
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Page made 24 October 1999
New image added 31 August 2001