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USS Galena (1862)
Encyclopedia
USS Galena — an ironclad screw steamer — was one of the first three ironclads, each of a different design, built by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
.
She had an unconventional armor plating arrangement which proved ineffective. Designed by famed naval architect Samuel Hartt Pook
, her keel was laid down by H. L. and C. S. Bushnell
of Mystic, Connecticut
. She was launched
on 14 February 1862, and commissioned
on 21 April 1862, Commander
Alfred Taylor in command.
to arrive off Fortress Monroe, Virginia
on 24 April and joined Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Commander John Rodgers
relieved Commander Taylor the same day.
Galena cleared her decks for action on 4 May and on 7 May when the Confederate ironclad Virginia
briefly appeared, but Virginia, desiring a rematch with , declined to engage her on both occasions, and eventually withdrew after contemptuously firing a single gun to leeward. On 8 May, Galena stood up the James River
with gunboat
s and in an attempt to reach Richmond, Virginia
and compel its surrender. They silenced an 11-gun Confederate
battery
at Rock Wharf, Virginia, that morning; and in the early afternoon, stoutly engaged a 12-gun battery on Mother Tynes' Bluff, silencing all but one of the Confederate guns. Galena engaged this remaining gun until the two gunboats had safely passed, then left with the Confederate battery in flames.
After Virginia was destroyed, Monitor and joined the expedition at James Island on 12 May, and on 13 May the force steamed across Harrison's Bar to City Point
, where Galena stopped two steamers for evidence of contraband. She opened fire the following morning to scatter Confederate sharpshooters waiting in ambush along the river banks.
On 15 May, she stood up river leading the expedition to Drewry's Bluff, about eight miles from Richmond
. Galena was hit twice as she swung to bear her broadside guns on a Confederate battery. She nearly silenced the battery before her shells were expended, but then the Confederate guns opened upon her with terrible effect. Numerous hits perforated her ironclad sides, with 12 men killed and 15 wounded.
Corporal John F. Mackie
, onboard the USS Galena during the Battle of Drewry's Bluff, was the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor
, the United States' highest military award when he bravely risked his life to lead the gun operation for the remainder of the battle. A marker indicates the location at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia of Mackie's bravery.
She returned down river to City Point. The following days were spent in shelling Confederate soldiers along the river banks and destroying City Point buildings in which Confederates were entrenched. On 27 June, Galena bombarded City Point while two boats went ashore with a landing force which set fire to the depots. That same day, Major General
George B. McClellan
came aboard Galena to make a reconnaissance for the position of a new camp which was subsequently established near Harrison's Landing. On 30 June, McClellan was compelled to withdraw
down the James and escaped disaster through naval gunfire support and transportation.
On 6 July, Commodore Charles Wilkes
was ordered to command the James River Flotilla — Galena included — as an independent division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. With gunboats of the flotilla, Galena afforded protection to the daily movement of army transports and supply ships along the James River from Harrison's Bay to the mouth of the Chickahominy River
, giving the indispensable protection that left the Confederate troops without ability to move effectively against McClellan's Army of the Potomac
along the James River.
Galena was detached from the James River Flotilla in September 1862 and assigned picket duty at Hampton Roads
and Newport News, Virginia
until 21 May 1863, when she arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and was decommissioned for repairs. Her ineffective iron plating — which had been badly damaged in the action at Drewry's Bluff — was stripped off, and she was overhauled to operate as a wooden-hulled ship.
. Becoming icebound at New Castle, Delaware
, she was towed out to sea by an ice boat, then developed leaks which forced her to put in at Norfolk, Virginia
. She then proceeded to Baltimore, Maryland for repairs. Galena put to sea from Norfolk on 10 May and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at Pensacola, Florida
on 20 May for blockade duty off Mobile, Alabama
, that included the shelling of Fort Morgan and firing upon various blockade runners near the fort.
David Farragut
's fleet in the Battle of Mobile Bay
on 5 August. Passing through the narrow channel under heavy fire from Forts Morgan and Gaines, Galena — lashed to the port side of — suffered seven hits and one man killed before she entered Mobile Bay for a fleet action of about three hours that left 165 Union dead and 170 wounded while the Confederate losses were 12 killed and 20 wounded. Union monitor was destroyed by a "torpedo" (naval mine) in the channel and the Confederate ram Tennessee
and gunboat Selma fell into Union hands.
Galena used her power to pass both herself and Oneida beyond range of the fort's fire when the latter had her starboard boiler put out of commission by a shell hit. Admiral Farragut wrote concerning the battle: "Notwithstanding the loss of life, particularly to this ship , and the terrible disaster to the Tecumseh, the result of the fight was a glorious victory, and I have reason to feel proud of the officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron under my command."
Galena provided supporting bombardment for the capture of Fort Morgan on 23 August and departed Mobile Bay on 31 August to serve as a part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron out of Key West, Florida
. She arrived in Philadelphia from her blockade station on 4 November and was decommissioned for repair on 22 November.
on 2 April to serve the North Atlantic Squadron as a picket and patrol ship at the mouth of the Nansemond River
and in the James River
until her departure on 6 June for Portsmouth, New Hampshire
. She was decommissioned there on 17 June and remained inactive until recommissioned on 9 April 1869 for movement to Hampton Roads, where she was placed out of commission 2 June. Condemned by survey in 1870, Galena was broken up in 1872 at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
She had an unconventional armor plating arrangement which proved ineffective. Designed by famed naval architect Samuel Hartt Pook
Samuel Hartt Pook
Samuel Hartt Pook was a Boston-based American naval architect noted for designing very fast clipper ships.-Clipper ships:...
, her keel was laid down by H. L. and C. S. Bushnell
Cornelius Scranton Bushnell
Cornelius Scranton Bushnell was an American railroad executive and shipbuilder who was instrumental in developing ironclad ships for the Union Navy during the American Civil War.-Background:...
of Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic is a village and census-designated place in New London County, Connecticut, in the United States. The population was 4,001 at the 2000 census. A historic locality, Mystic has no independent government because it is not a legally recognized municipality in the state of Connecticut...
. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 14 February 1862, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 21 April 1862, Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
Alfred Taylor in command.
1862-1863
She was towed from New York HarborNew York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
to arrive off Fortress Monroe, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
on 24 April and joined Flag Officer L.M. Goldsborough's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Commander John Rodgers
John Rodgers (naval officer, Civil War)
John Rodgers was an admiral in the United States Navy.-Early life and career:Rodgers, a son of Commodore John Rodgers, was born near Havre de Grace, Maryland. He received his appointment as a Midshipman in the Navy on 18 April 1828...
relieved Commander Taylor the same day.
Galena cleared her decks for action on 4 May and on 7 May when the Confederate ironclad Virginia
CSS Virginia
CSS Virginia was the first steam-powered ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy, built during the first year of the American Civil War; she was constructed as a casemate ironclad using the raised and cut down original lower hull and steam engines of the scuttled . Virginia was one of the...
briefly appeared, but Virginia, desiring a rematch with , declined to engage her on both occasions, and eventually withdrew after contemptuously firing a single gun to leeward. On 8 May, Galena stood up the James River
James River (Virginia)
The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is long, extending to if one includes the Jackson River, the longer of its two source tributaries. The James River drains a catchment comprising . The watershed includes about 4% open water and an area with a population of 2.5 million...
with gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
s and in an attempt to reach Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and compel its surrender. They silenced an 11-gun Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
at Rock Wharf, Virginia, that morning; and in the early afternoon, stoutly engaged a 12-gun battery on Mother Tynes' Bluff, silencing all but one of the Confederate guns. Galena engaged this remaining gun until the two gunboats had safely passed, then left with the Confederate battery in flames.
After Virginia was destroyed, Monitor and joined the expedition at James Island on 12 May, and on 13 May the force steamed across Harrison's Bar to City Point
City Point
-Places:United Kingdom*CityPoint, an office tower in London, EnglandUnited States*City Point , a neighborhood in New Haven, Connecticut*City Point, Boston, a section of South Boston, Massachusetts...
, where Galena stopped two steamers for evidence of contraband. She opened fire the following morning to scatter Confederate sharpshooters waiting in ambush along the river banks.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Galena was hit twice as she swung to bear her broadside guns on a Confederate battery. She nearly silenced the battery before her shells were expended, but then the Confederate guns opened upon her with terrible effect. Numerous hits perforated her ironclad sides, with 12 men killed and 15 wounded.
Corporal John F. Mackie
John F. Mackie
John Freeman Mackie was a United States Marine and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War. He was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor....
, onboard the USS Galena during the Battle of Drewry's Bluff, was the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, the United States' highest military award when he bravely risked his life to lead the gun operation for the remainder of the battle. A marker indicates the location at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia of Mackie's bravery.
She returned down river to City Point. The following days were spent in shelling Confederate soldiers along the river banks and destroying City Point buildings in which Confederates were entrenched. On 27 June, Galena bombarded City Point while two boats went ashore with a landing force which set fire to the depots. That same day, Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
came aboard Galena to make a reconnaissance for the position of a new camp which was subsequently established near Harrison's Landing. On 30 June, McClellan was compelled to withdraw
Battle of Glendale
The Battle of Glendale, also known as the Battle of Frayser's Farm, Frazier's Farm, Nelson's Farm, Charles City Crossroads, New Market Road, or Riddell's Shop, took place on June 30, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the sixth day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War.The...
down the James and escaped disaster through naval gunfire support and transportation.
On 6 July, Commodore Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
was ordered to command the James River Flotilla — Galena included — as an independent division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. With gunboats of the flotilla, Galena afforded protection to the daily movement of army transports and supply ships along the James River from Harrison's Bay to the mouth of the Chickahominy River
Chickahominy River
The Chickahominy is an river in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Virginia. The river rises about northwest of Richmond and flows southeast and south to the James River...
, giving the indispensable protection that left the Confederate troops without ability to move effectively against McClellan's Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
along the James River.
Galena was detached from the James River Flotilla in September 1862 and assigned picket duty at Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
and Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
until 21 May 1863, when she arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and was decommissioned for repairs. Her ineffective iron plating — which had been badly damaged in the action at Drewry's Bluff — was stripped off, and she was overhauled to operate as a wooden-hulled ship.
1864
Recommissioned on 15 February 1864, Galena stood down the river on 18 February for the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Becoming icebound at New Castle, Delaware
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
, she was towed out to sea by an ice boat, then developed leaks which forced her to put in at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. She then proceeded to Baltimore, Maryland for repairs. Galena put to sea from Norfolk on 10 May and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
on 20 May for blockade duty off Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, that included the shelling of Fort Morgan and firing upon various blockade runners near the fort.
Battle of Mobile Bay
Galena was a unit of AdmiralAdmiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
David Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
's fleet in the Battle of Mobile Bay
Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay of August 5, 1864, was an engagement of the American Civil War in which a Federal fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Adm...
on 5 August. Passing through the narrow channel under heavy fire from Forts Morgan and Gaines, Galena — lashed to the port side of — suffered seven hits and one man killed before she entered Mobile Bay for a fleet action of about three hours that left 165 Union dead and 170 wounded while the Confederate losses were 12 killed and 20 wounded. Union monitor was destroyed by a "torpedo" (naval mine) in the channel and the Confederate ram Tennessee
CSS Tennessee (1863)
CSS Tennessee, an ironclad ram, was built at Selma, Alabama, where she was commissioned on February 16, 1864, Lieutenant James D. Johnston, CSN, in command. towed her to Mobile where she was fitted out for action....
and gunboat Selma fell into Union hands.
Galena used her power to pass both herself and Oneida beyond range of the fort's fire when the latter had her starboard boiler put out of commission by a shell hit. Admiral Farragut wrote concerning the battle: "Notwithstanding the loss of life, particularly to this ship , and the terrible disaster to the Tecumseh, the result of the fight was a glorious victory, and I have reason to feel proud of the officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron under my command."
Galena provided supporting bombardment for the capture of Fort Morgan on 23 August and departed Mobile Bay on 31 August to serve as a part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron out of Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
. She arrived in Philadelphia from her blockade station on 4 November and was decommissioned for repair on 22 November.
1865
Galena was recommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 29 March 1865 and reached Newport News, VirginiaNewport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
on 2 April to serve the North Atlantic Squadron as a picket and patrol ship at the mouth of the Nansemond River
Nansemond River
The Nansemond River is a tributary of the James River in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Nansemond River Bridge crosses the river near its mouth. Both it and the former State Route 125 bridge, demolished in 2008, were once toll bridges. The river begins at the outlet of Lake Meade north of...
and in the James River
James River (Virginia)
The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is long, extending to if one includes the Jackson River, the longer of its two source tributaries. The James River drains a catchment comprising . The watershed includes about 4% open water and an area with a population of 2.5 million...
until her departure on 6 June for Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
. She was decommissioned there on 17 June and remained inactive until recommissioned on 9 April 1869 for movement to Hampton Roads, where she was placed out of commission 2 June. Condemned by survey in 1870, Galena was broken up in 1872 at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
External links
- 1862 News Account and Picture of the Completion of the Iron-Clad Steamer Galena