USS Naiad (1863)

The USS Naiad (Tinclad #53) on the Western Rivers during the American Civil War, reproduced as a stereograph. Note mine-clearing "rake" projecting from her bow. Naiad on the Western Rivers during the American Civil War, reproduced as a stereograph. Note mine-clearing "rake" projecting from her bow
Career
Name:	USS Naiad
Launched:	1863
Acquired:	by purchase, 3 March 1864
Commissioned:	3 April 1864
Decommissioned:	30 June 1865
Fate:	Sold, 17 August 1865 Sank, 1 June 1868
General characteristics
Type:	Gunboat
Displacement:	183 long tons (186 t)
Length:	156 ft 10 in (47.80 m)
Beam:	30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
Draft:	6 ft (1.8 m)
Depth:	4 ft 5 in (1.35 m)
Propulsion:	Steam wheel
Speed:	5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph)
Armament:	8 × 24-pounder guns

USS Naiad, was a stern-wheel steamer of the Union Navy during the American Civil War. In Greek mythology, "Naiads" are nymphs who lived in and gave life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains.

Built as Princess in 1863 at Freedom, Pennsylvania, the ship was purchased by the Navy from F. Martin at Cincinnati, Ohio, on 3 March 1864; and commissioned on 3 April 1864, Acting Master Harry T. Keene in command.

Service history

Acquired to bolster Union strength along the Mississippi River and its tributaries against Confederate cavalry and guerilla raids, Naiad served in the shallow waters through the end of the American Civil War, from time to time fighting Southern shore batteries. On 15 and 16 June 1864, with General Bragg and Winnebago, she dueled Southern artillery at Ratliff's Landing, Louisiana, silencing the riverbank guns on both occasions. Again on 2 September, she snuffed out the fire of a Confederate battery near Rowe's Landing, Louisiana. The constant patrol of the rivers by Naiad and her sister "tinclads" helped the Union to maintain open communications and supply lines in the West while preventing the South from mustering her resources to oppose Generals Sherman and Grant.

Naiad decommissioned at Cairo, Illinois, on 30 June 1865 and was sold at auction at Mound City, Illinois to B. F. Beansly, on 17 August 1865. Renamed Princess in post-war civilian service, she struck a snag and sank at Napoleon, Missouri, on 1 June 1868.

References

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

External links

• history.navy.mil/USNSH: USS Naiad