List of tinclad warships of the Union Navy explained

Vessels converted from civilian steamboats by arming them, adding a wooden casemate, and armoring portions of the vessel, were referred to as tinclad warships. The Union Navy used tinclad warships during the American Civil War, mostly converted civilian ships, although a few were purpose-built for the United States War Department; some had formerly been in Confederate service. Tinclads were cheaper, required smaller crews, and could enter shallower water than ironclad warships due to their light drafts. While tinclads were poorly suited to engage heavy artillery or other warships, they were better equipped to combat small groups of enemy soldiers. Tinclads were frequently used for escort and patrol duties, and sometimes provided naval support for other military actions. A total of 74 saw service during the war.

Background

During the American Civil War, the control of the rivers of the United States of America and the Confederate States of America was strategically important. Both sides purchased civilian steamboats for conversion into warships. Both sides built ironclads, warships with heavy iron armor, and early in the war Union forces built several timberclads, vessels that used layers of wood as armor. A third type of vessel used by the Union Navy was the tinclad warship. Tinclads were generally converted civilian vessels, although several were purpose-built for the United States War Department late in the war. The process of converting a civilian steamer into a tinclad involved arming the ships (originally with either six or eight cannons, although it was eventually found advisable to add heavier cannon to the vessels), adding a casemate made of wood and at least partially covered with thin iron armor, replacing the existing pilothouse with a better-armored one, reinforcing decks and internal beams, and removing the texas.

Tinclads were cheaper than ironclads, easier to produce, and required smaller crews; their smaller drafts allowed them to enter shallower water than other warships could. Another drawback to the ironclads was that they were generally ineffective against small groups of enemy soldiers, while the tinclads were better suited to handle such threats. However, the tinclads were poorly suited for engaging heavy artillery or enemy warships. During the war, the tinclads performed patrols on the rivers, protected and escorted other vessels, and sometimes acted as naval support for military actions. Seventy-four tinclads entered service during the war.

List of tinclads

Beginning on June 19, 1863, the tinclads were assigned identifying numbers, which were painted on each vessel's pilothouse.

Ship Identifying number Acquired Commissioned Summary of career Disposition Postwar fate
USS Alfred Robb21April 19, or 21, 1862June 2, 1862Served with the Western Gunboat Flotilla and the Mississippi River Squadron. Was involved in actions at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February 1863; at Palmyra, Tennessee, in April 1863, and at Cerro Gordo, Tennessee, in June 1863.Sold, August 17, 1865Broken up, 1873
USS Little Rebel16June 6, 1862August 21, 1862Served with the Western Gunboat Flotilla, the Mississippi River Squadron, and the United States Ram Fleet. Participated in the capture of CSS Missouri in June 1865.Sold, November 29, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1874
USS General Pillow20June 9, 1862August 23, 1862Served on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers with the Western Gunboat Flotilla and the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, November 26, 1865Unknown
USS Fairplay17August 18, 1862September 6, 1862Part of the Western Gunboat Flotilla. Defended Fort Donelson in February 1863, before serving on the Ohio River during Morgan's Raid in July of that year. Was present on the Cumberland River in December 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Broken up, 1871
USS St. Clair19August 13, 1862September 24, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was engaged at Fort Donelson in February 1863, and at Palmyra, Tennessee in April 1863. In February 1864, sank another Union vessel in a collision, and took part in the Red River campaign later in 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1869
USS Brilliant18August 13, 1862October 1, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron in 1862. In February 1863, she was engaged at Fort Donelson in Tennessee, and in April 1863 burned Palmyra, Tennessee. In December 1864, she was involved in the Nashville campaign.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, December 6, 1867
USS Marmora2September 17, 1862October 21, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Yazoo River in November and December 1862, and was involved in the campaign related to the Battle of Arkansas Post in January 1863. In March 1863, was part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition, and served on the White and Little Red Rivers in August 1863. In early 1864, took part in a campaign on the Yazoo River.Sold, August 17, 1865Unknown
USS Signal8September 22, 1862October 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Yazoo River in December 1862, and took part in the campaign related to the Battle of Arkansas Post in January 1863. In March 1863 participated in the Yazoo Pass expedition, and was involved in the Battle of Snyder's Bluff in April and May of that year. Advanced up the Yazoo River in May 1863, and two months later destroyed Confederate ships at Yazoo City, Mississippi. Took part in the Red River campaign in 1864.Burned to prevent capture after battle damage, May 5, 1864N/A
USS Forest Rose9 November 15, 1862December 3, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Bombarded Drumgold's Bluff in December 1862, and in January 1863 was involved in the Battle of Arkansas Post. Participated in the Yazoo Pass Expedition in March 1863. In May 1863 served on the Yazoo River, and destroyed Confederate naval facilities at Yazoo City, Mississippi. Served on the Red River in July 1863, and took part in the Red River campaign in early 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Destroyed by ice, February 4, 1868
NoneNovember 17, 1862December 3, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was involved in the Battle of Arkansas Post and an expedition up the White River in January 1863.Burned in accident, February 7, 1863N/A
USS Romeo3October 31, 1862December 11, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Yazoo River in December 1862, and participated in the Battle of Arkansas Post in January 1863. In March 1863, was part of the Yazoo Pass Expedition, and took part in the Battle of Snyder's Bluff in April and May 1863. Served on the Yazoo River in early 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1870
USS Juliet4November 1, 1862December 14, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. In December 1862, removed naval mines on the Yazoo River. In January 1863, was involved in the Battle of Arkansas Post, and in early 1864 was part of the Red River campaign.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, December 31, 1865
USS New Era7October 27, 1862December 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was involved with the Battle of Arkansas Post in January 1863 and the Battle of Fort Pillow in April 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, June 3, 1868
USS Rattler1 November 11, 1862December 19, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was involved in the campaign related to the Battle of Arkansas Post in January 1863, and in the Yazoo Pass Expedition the following March. In July 1863, she served on the Red, Tensas, and Ouachita Rivers.Wrecked, December 30, 1864N/A
USS Silver Lake23November 15, 1862December 24, 1862Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was engaged at Fort Donelson in February 1863, and bombarded the towns of Florence, Alabama, and Palmyra, Tennessee, in late March and early April 1863. Was engaged on the Cumberland river in December 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, February 28, 1866
USS Linden10November 20, 1862January 3, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. In April and May 1863, participated in the Battle of Snyder's Bluff, and served on the Yazoo River in May 1863.Wrecked, February 22, 1864N/A
USS Springfield22November 20, 1862January 12, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Burned Palmyra, Tennessee, in April 1863, and served on the Ohio River during Morgan's Raid in July 1863.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1875
USS Cricket6November 18, 1862January 19, 1863Was engaged in a skirmish near Greenville, Mississippi, in May 1863, and served on the White River in August of that year. Served on the Ouachita River in early March 1864, before participating in the Red River campaign, during which she was damaged.Sold, August 17, 1865Broken up, 1867
USS Prairie Bird11December 19, 1862January 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Bombarded Eunice, Mississippi, in June 1863, was served on the Yazoo River in April 1864. Damaged in a skirmish at Gaines Landing, Arkansas, in August 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Unknown
USS Curlew12December 17, 1862February 16, 1863Served on the Red, Tensas, and Ouachita Rivers in July 1863, and in May of the next year, skirmished with a shore battery at Gaines Landing, Arkansas.Sold, August 17, 1865Unknown
USS Covington25February 13, 1863March 1863Served on the Tennessee River in 1863 and in the Red River campaign the next year.Burned after battle damage on Red River of the South, May 5, 1864N/A
USS Argosy27March 24, 1863March 29, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, March 7, 1872
USS Hastings15March 24, 1863April 1863Served on the Tennessee River and later the White River.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1872
USS Petrel5December 22, 18621863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Participated in the Battle of Snyder's Bluff in April and May 1863, and then served on the Yazoo River in the latter month. Served on the Red River on July 1863, and was on the Yazoo River in early 1864.Captured by Confederate forces on April 22, 1864, and later scuttledN/A
USS Fort Hindman13March 14, 1863April 1863Served on the Red River of the South, Tensas River, Ouachita River, and Little Red River in 1863. In 1864 she served on the Ouachita and Red Rivers and was part of the Red River campaign.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1874
USS Queen City26February 13, 1863April 1, 1863Served in the regions of Helena, Arkansas, and Clarendon, Arkansas, as well as the Tennessee River.Captured by Confederate forces on June 24, 1864, and scuttled at a later date.N/A
USS Naumkeag37April 14, 1863April 16, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Ohio River in July 1863, including during Morgan's Raid. Fought in a skirmish at Clarendon, Arkansas, in June 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, January 19, 1867
USS Champion24March 14, 1863April 26, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, November 29, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1868
USS Silver Cloud28April 1, 1863May 4, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was part of a movement towards Eastport, Mississippi in May 1863. During April of the next year, she was involved in the Battle of Fort Pillow, and in December 1864 was engaged on the Cumberland river.Sold, August 15, 1865Wrecked, October 2, 1866 or 1868
USS Fawn30May 13, 1863May 11, 1863Served on the White River, including in an action against a shore battery at Clarendon, Arkansas, in June 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, March 24, 1873
USS Kenwood14April 3, 1863May 24, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron, sometimes on the Arkansas River. Was involved in an expedition to Yazoo City, Mississippi, in July 1863, and from 1863 to 1865, served in the Port Hudson, Louisiana, area. Participated in the capture of CSS Missouri in June 1865.Sold, August 17, 1865Exploded, August 14, 1868 or 1869
USS Key West32April 16, or May 16, 1863May 26, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron, especially on the Tennessee River. Was involved in an expedition to Eastport, Mississippi, in October 1864, and was present at the Battle of Johnsonville the next month.Burned to prevent capture, November 4, 1864N/A
USS Exchange38April 6, 1863June 1863Served on the Tennessee River in 1863. Was part of an expedition on the Yazoo River in early 1864, and was damaged in at skirmish at Columbia, Arkansas, in June 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, April 25, 1869
USS Moose34May 20, 1863June 15, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Ohio River in July 1863, including during Morgan's Raid. Fought at the Battle of Fort Pillow in April 1864, skirmished against Confederate forces on the Cumberland River in December 1864, and in a fight at Centre Furnace, Tennessee, in April 1865. Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, December 29, 1867
USS Tawah29June 19, 1863June 21, or October 1863Served on the Tennessee River, including in the Battle of Johnsonville.Burned after battle damage, November 4, 1864N/A
USS Victory33May 1863July 8, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. In July 1863, she served on the Ohio River during Morgan's Raid, and in November 1864 participated in a skirmish at Paducah, Kentucky.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, February 8, 1866
USS Reindeer35May 25, or June 13, 1863July 25, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Was on the Ohio River during July 1863, including during Morgan's Raid. Served on the Cumberland River in December 1864 and was a dispatch vessel in 1865.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, May 9, 1867
USS Paw Paw31April 9, 1863July 25, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Sank after hitting a snag in August 1863, but was later refloated. Acted in support of Union Army operations on the Tennessee River from October to December 1863, and in March of the following year took part in a skirmish at Paducah, Kentucky.Sold, August 17, 1865Broken up, 1865
USS Peosta36June 13, 1863October 2, 1863Served on the Tennessee River, including in an action at Paducah, Kentucky, in March 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, December 15, or 25, 1870
USS Wave45November 14, 1863UnknownServed with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.Captured by Confederate forces on May 6, 1864; further fate uncertain but probably scuttled by Confederate troops[1] N/A
USS Glide II43November 30, 1863UnknownServed with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, particularly at Berwick Bay.Sold, August 12, 1865Exploded, January 13, 1869
USS Stockdale42November 13, 1863December 26, 1863Served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Fought a minor action on the Tchefuncte River in May 1864, and was present at the Battle of Mobile Bay in August. In September 1864 was part of an expedition to the Bon Secour River.Sold, August 24, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1871
USS Nyanza41November 4, 1863December 21, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 15, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1873
USS Alexandria40July 13, 1863December 12, 1863Served with the Mississippi River Squadron]]Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, October 5, 1867
USS Tensas39August 14, 1863January 1, 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, 1868
USS Gazelle50November 21, 1863February 1864Served in the Red River campaign.Sold, August 17, 1865Broken up, 1869
USS Elfin52February 23, 1864March 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron and fought at the Battle of Johnsonville.Burned to prevent capture, November 4, 1864N/A
USS Fairy51February 10, 1864March 10, 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron, including on the Tennessee River.Sold, August 17, 1865Unknown
USS Undine55March 7, 1864April 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Almost rank in July 1864 on the Tennessee River, and was part of a movement to Eastport, Mississippi, in October 1864. Took part in an engagement at Paris Landing, Tennessee, in October 1864, in which she was captured.Captured by Confederate forces on October 30, 1864, and burned on November 4, 1864N/A
USS Meteor44November or December 1863[2] March 8, 1864Served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Guarded the Head of Passes from March 1864 to February 1865. In March and April 1865, served in the Mobile, Alabama, area.Sold, October 5, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1869
USS Tallahatchie46January 23, 1864April 19, 1864Initially served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Participated with the Red River expedition in early 1864, before transferring to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron in June 1864.Sold, August 12, 1865Burned, September 7, 1869
USS Naiad53March 3, 1864April 3, 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Skirmished with Confederate batteries at multiple points in Louisiana in 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, June 1, 1868
USS Nymph54March 8, 1864April 11, 1864Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Unknown
USS Carrabasset49January 23, 1864May 12, 1864Served in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, and participated in an expedition to Berwick Bay in March 1865.Sold, August 12, 1865Wrecked, May 1, 1870
USS Elk47December 8, 1863May 6, 1864Served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron]] in 1863, and later on the Lower Mississippi River in 1864 and 1865, including an expedition to Lake Pontchartrain in October 1864.Sold, August 24, 1865Wrecked, 1868
USS Rodolph48December 31, 1863May 18, 1864Served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, including actions at Mobile Bay in August 1864, Bon Secour, Alabama, in September 1864, and the Blakely River in April 1865.Sunk by naval mine, April 1, 1865N/A
USS Huntress58May 1864June 10, 1864Served in the Mississippi River Squadron, patrolling between Memphis, Tennessee, and Columbus, Kentucky.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, December 30, 1865
USS Peri57April 30, 1864June 20, 1864Served on the White River in July 1864.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, January 8, 1868
USS Sibyl59April 27, 1864June 16, or 26, 1864Served as a dispatch boat with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1876
USS General Grant621864July 20, 1864Served on the Tennessee River, including an action at Decatur, Alabama, in December 1864. Destroyed Guntersville, Alabama, in January 1865.Returned to United States War Department, June 2, 1865Unknown
USS General Sherman601864July 27, 1864Served on the Tennessee River, including an action at Decatur, Alabama, in December 1864.Returned to United States War Department, June 3, 1865Unknown
USS General Burnside631864August 8, 1864Served on the Tennessee River, including an action at Decatur, Alabama, in December 1864.Returned to United States War Department, June 1, 1865Unknown
USS General Thomas611864August 8, 1864Served on the Tennessee River, participating in fighting at Whitesburg, Tennessee, in October 1864, and Decatur, Alabama, in December 1864.Returned to United States War Department, June 3, 1865 and sold in 1866Wrecked, December 31, 1868
USS Siren56March 11, 1864August 30, 1864Was a receiving ship at Mound City, Illinois, from March to August 1864, and then joined the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1867
USS Grosbeak8December 3, 1864 or February 3, 1865February 24, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Rescued survivors of the Sultana Disaster.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, June 9, 1871
USS Colossus25December 6, or December 8, 1864February 24, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, December 17, 1866
USS Mist26December 23, 1864March 3, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1874
USS Collier29December 7, 1864March 18, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. In June 1865, she participated in the capture of CSS Missouri.Sold, August 17, 1865Ceased to appear in shipping records, 1867
USS Oriole52December 7, 1864March 22, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Wrecked, March 3, 1869
USS Gamage60December 22, 1864March 23, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron. Participated in the capture of CSS Missouri in June 1865.Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, October 11, 1876
USS Kate55December 23, 1864April 2, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, March 29, 1866Wrecked, June 21, 1867
USS Ibex10December 10, 1864April 4, 1865Served with the Mississippi River Squadron.Sold, August 17, 1865Exploded, January 3, 1868
USS Abeona32December 21, 1864April 10, 1865Sold, August 17, 1865Burned, March 7, 1872
USS Tempest1December 30, 1864April 26, 1865Served on the western rivers and was the flagship for Samuel P. Lee through the demobilization of the Mississippi River Squadron.[3] Sold, November 29, 1865Burned, December 27, 1869

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wave II (SwStr) . Naval History and Heritage Command . 18 December 2022 . October 26, 2015.
  2. Web site: Meteor II (SwGbt) . Naval History and Heritage Command . 18 December 2022 . August 10, 2015.
  3. Web site: Evans . Mark L. . Tempest I . Naval History and Heritage Command . 19 April 2023 . July 8, 2015.

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