Thursday, July 7, 2016

CSS George Page

From Wikipedia.

I had never heard of the CSS George Page before so had to do some more research.  Good old Wikipedia.

The George Page was a 410-ton sidewheel steamer built as a transport vessel in Washington, D.C. in 1953.  It was attached to the Quartermaster's Department of the U.S. Army until captured by Confederates at Aquia Creek, Virginia in May 1861.  It then became a ship in the Virginia State Navy.

Later acquired by the Confederate States Navy and commanded by Lt. Charles Carroll Simms, the ship was fitted out for river defense.  It was later renamed the City of Richmond and at some point the upper works may have been removed. (The 292 Group says this new name was considered, but not given because the ship had previously been in the U.S. government employ.)

The CSS George Page operated in the Potomac River around Quantico Creek.  On July 7, 1861, it was damaged by cannon fire from the USS Pocahontas.  It was destroyed by its crew upon the abandonment of the Evansport batteries on March 9, 1862.

It mounted two guns.

Simms was assigned to the CSS Rappahannock after the destruction of his ship and went on to serve in various positions throughout the war.

--Old B-R'er


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