Tuesday, January 29, 2013

USS Masachusetts-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Back in 2011, while I was doing blogs on the sesquicentennial of the opening year of the war, I came across the name of this ship many times in conjunction with Gulf of Mexico operations.  Delving a bit more into this ship's history.

It was launched in 1860 and acquired by the Navy 3 May 1861 and commissioned May 24th.  It was an iron screw steamer 210-feet long, 33.2 foot beam mounting one 22-pdr, one 42- cw pivot gun and four 82 cwt guns.

It was assigned to the Gulf Blockading Squadron and on June 9th captured the Perthshire, June 17th the Achilles and June 19th the Nahan.  Then on June 23rd, did very well, capturing the Brilliant, Trois Freres, Olive Branch, Fanny and Basile.  A lot of money for the crew.

The Massachusetts engaged Confederate batteries on Ship island until it ran out of ammunition.

More to Come.  --Old B-R'er

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