USS Chickasaw (1864)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Chickasaw.

300px USS Chickasaw
Career (US)	Union Navy Jack
Laid down:	date unknown
Launched:	10 February 1864 at St. Louis, Missouri
Commissioned:	14 May 1864
Decommissioned:	6 July 1865
Struck:	1874 (est.)
Fate:	sold, 12 September 1874
General characteristics
Displacement:	1300 tons
Length:	230 ft (70 m)
Beam:	56 ft (17 m)
Draught:	6 ft (1.8 m)
Propulsion:	steam engine
Speed:	8 kts
Complement:	138 officers and enlisted
Armament:	four 11-inch Dahlgren smoothbores

USS Chickasaw (1864) was a monitor in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Built in Missouri in 1864

The first U.S. Navy ship to be so named, Chickasaw was built in Carondelet, Missouri, launched 10 February 1864 by Thomas G. Gaylord, St. Louis, Missouri; brought to Mound City, Illinois, 8 May; and commissioned 14 May 1864, Acting Master J. Fitzpatrick in command.

Civil War service

Between 14 May and 30 June 1864 Chickasaw patrolled on the Mississippi River. Sailing to New Orleans, Louisiana, she joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron 9 July. While operating with the Squadron she participated in Admiral David Farragut's victory the Battle of Mobile Bay (5 August 1864), during which she was struck by enemy shells 11 times, and the attacks on Forts Gaines (6 August) and Morgan (13 August). The monitor remained in the vicinity of Mobile Bay until 3 July 1865 when she sailed down river for New Orleans, Louisiana.

Post-war decommissioning

Upon her arrival at New Orleans 6 July 1865, Chickasaw was decommissioned and laid up. Between 15 June and 10 August 1869 she bore the name Samson and then reverted to Chickasaw. She was sold at New Orleans 12 September 1874.

Post-war career and heritage

Chickasaw was converted to a railroad ferry by her civilian owners and later converted to side-wheel propulsion under the name Gouldsboro.

An effort to convert the retired railroad ferry into a museum ship failed and the Chickasaw spent her last years as a work barge for the Bisso family near New Orleans, Louisiana, sinking in the 1950s. Recently discovered, and covered in an Associated Press story, the Chickasaw drew some attention in newspapers including the Montgomery Advertiser in 2004. A more complete version of the story, by Mark Schleifstein can be seen at http://history-sites.com/mb/cw/cwnavy/index.cgi?noframes;read=1803

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.