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.
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
"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.
Life in Mr. Lincoln's Navy
A tantalizing glimpse into the hardships endured by the naval leadership to build and recruit a fighting force. The seaman endured periods of boredom, punctuated by happy social times and terrifying bouts of battle horror
Confederate Phoenix: The CSS Virginia
The CSS Virginia of the Confederate States Navy destroyed two of the most formidable warships in the U.S. Navy. Suddenly, with this event, every wooden warship in every navy in the world became totally obsolete
Confederate Submarines and Torpedo Vessels 1861-65
Interesting information and many excellent illustrations. It addresses the CSA David class torpedo boats and the Hunley (and its predecessors), as well as Union examples such as the Alligator and the Spuyten Duyvil
