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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Hartford (IX-13)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Kilo - Juliet
 NUKJ
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Campaign Medal
Screw Sloop-of-War:
  • Laid down (date unknown) at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
  • Launched, 22 November 1858
  • Commissioned, USS Hartford, 27 May 1859, CAPT. Charles Lowndes in command
  • Decommissioned, 13 December 1864, at New York
  • Recommissioned in July 1865
  • Decommissioned in 1868, at New York
  • Recommissioned, 9 October 1872
  • Decommissioned, 14 January 1887, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.
  • Laid up at Mare Island while being rebuilt
  • Recommissioned, 2 October 1899
  • Designated Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-13), 17 July 1920
  • Decommissioned, 20 August 1928, at Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.
  • Moved to Washington D.C. Navy Yard, 18 October 1938
  • Towed to Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 19 October 1945
  • Reclassified as a relic
  • Final Disposition, sank at her berth, 20 November 1956, and subsequently dismantled at Portsmouth, VA. in 1957.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 2,900 t.
    Length 220'
    Beam 44'
    Draft 17' 2"
    Speed 13.5 kts
    Complement 302
    Armament 20 9" D.sb., 2 30-pdr. P.r., 2 12-pdrs
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Hartford 53k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford, painting by E. Arnold Haze Gray and Underway web site
    Hartford 4476k Starboard side view of USS Hartford while under reconstruction at Mare Island Navy Yard, 30 August 1895. Hartford is just south of the shipyard’s stone dock (dry dock #1).
    File name: IX 13 Aug301895, Navy Photo, 8/30/1895.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 3690k Port side view of USS Hartford while under reconstruction at Mare Island Navy Yard, 31 August 1895.
    File name: IX 13 Aug311895, Navy Photo, 8/31/1895.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 5097k Port side view of USS Hartford while under reconstruction at Mare Island Navy Yard, Her hull is now protected by temporary tent structure, 1895-96.
    File name: IX 13 Y-11, Navy Photo, circa 1895-96.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 4131k Forward starboard quarter view of the hull of USS Hartford in Mare Island’s dry dock #1 between 23 July and 3 August 1898.
    File name: IX 13 DD1 1898-1, Navy Photo, 7/26-8/2/1898.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 2160k Yard workers replacing the bottom planking of USS Hartford while in dry dock #1 at Mare Island.
    File name: IX 13 Y-1, Navy Photo, October-November 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 5424k
    Yard workers replacing the rudder and screw of USS Hartford in Mare Island Navy Yard’s dry dock #1 in the spring or summer on 1899. Hartford was in dry dock at the yard during two periods, 23 May to 19 July 1888 and 20 July to 16 August 1899.
    File names: IX 13 Y-14-1 and IX 13-14-2, Navy Photos, circa 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 5853k
    Hartford 3640k Port side view of USS Hartford in August/September of 1899 at Mare Island. She is located alongside the yard’s shears crane (the tripod structure behind the main mast) likely setting the main mast.
    File name: IX 13 Hist. 89 At Shears, Navy Photo, circa 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 3971k Commissioning ceremonies aboard USS Hartford at Mare Island on 2 October 1899.
    File name: IX 13 Z-5, Navy Photo, 10/2/1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 2614k Bow view of USS Hartford in commission at Mare Island in October 1899.
    File name: IX 13 Y-4, Navy Photo, October 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 3777k Stern view of USS Hartford in Mare Island’s dry dock #1 in October/November 1899.
    File name: IX 13 Y-9, Navy Photo, October-November 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 2236k A 5" gun aboard USS Hartford's at Mare Island Navy Yard in November 1899.
    File name: IX 13 Z-8 5 inch gun, Navy Photo, November 1899.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford
    IX 13 Y-16    		 2513k USS Hartford departing Mare Island in December 1899.
    File name: IX 13 Y-16, IX 13 Y-10 and IX 13 Z-4, Navy Photos, December 1899    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford
    IX 13 Y-10    		 4062k
    Hartford
    IX 13 Z-4    		 4301k
    Hartford 64k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford at anchor, date and location unknown..
    US Navy photo from "Warship Boneyards", by Kit and Carolyn Bonner.    		 Robert Hurst
    Hartford 63k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford moored to a buoy at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., date unknown. Robert Hurst
    Hartford 283k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford after being rebuilt at Mare Island (1890 to 1899) underway, circa October 1899-October 1912. During this period Hartford was in commission as a Training Ship. Robert Hurst
    Hartford 58k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford at anchor in 1899, location unknown.
    Photo from the book "U.S. Warships of World War 1", courtesy Paul H. Silverstone    		 Robert Hurst
    Hartford 137k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., circa 1912. Hartford was the receiving ship at the Charleston Yard, from 1912 to 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 105k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., decked out in flags for George Washington's Birthday, 1914.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 105k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. in 1924..
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 666k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of starboard sheathing aft of midships.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4622.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 368k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of starboard sheathing forward of midships.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4619.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 843k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of port sheathing aft of midships.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4616.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 710k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of port sheathing forward of midships.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4614.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 623k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of starboard sheathing at the stern.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4621.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 576k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 18 September 1924. View of starboard bow sheathing.
    Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. photo # 4618.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 215k Sloop-of-War USS Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., serving as the shipyards receiving and barracks ship, circa 1928. Robert Hall
    Hartford 215k Aerial view of the Navy Yard at Charleston, S.C. with the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) moored to the quay wall, lower right, serving as the shipyards receiving and barracks ship, circa 1930. Robert Hall
    Hartford 204k The decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) engine room, 1938. Robert Hall
    Hartford 375k The decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. just prior to her 1938 dry docking. Notice the WPA project in the foreground of this photos. Robert Hall
    Hartford 376k Starboard side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 1 August 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 613k Stern view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 1 August 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 332-38.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 395k Starboard side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 15 August 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 397-38.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 254k Port side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) drydocked at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 15 August 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 398-38.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 347k Starboard side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 10 November dry docking.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 619-38.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 349k Starboard side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. while undergoing rehabilitation, 6 December 1938.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 398-38.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 316k Port side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford (IX-13) moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., undergoing rehabilitation, 4 January 1939.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 9-39.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 316k Port side view of the decommissioned Sloop-of-War Hartford moored at Navy Yard Charleston, S.C., 1 March 1939.
    Navy Yard Charleston photo # 140-39.    		 Robert Hall
    Hartford 122k Sloop-of-War Hartford, at St. Helena Naval Annex, Portsmouth, VA., 1954 Stanley Svec
    Hartford 65k Ex-Hartford (IX-13) bow on view, after sinking at her moorings in Norfolk, VA on 20 November 1956 and being refloated, 16 August 1957 Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 84k Ex-Hartford (IX-13) hulk being pumped out to keep her afloat after sinking on 20 November 1956. Photo dated, 16 August 1957 Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 88k Ex-Hartford (IX-13)'s main deck looking aft, 16 August 1957. On 5 August 1864 when Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was told that Mobile Bay had probably been mined by the Confederates, he shouted his famous order from the deck of Hartford: "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 86k Ex-Hartford (IX-13)'s main deck looking aft, 16 August 1957, Portsmouth, VA. Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 124k Ex-Hartford (IX-13)'s main deck looking aft, 16 August 1957, Portsmouth, VA. Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 73k Ex-Hartford (IX-13) at her mooring in Portsmouth, VA., 16 August 1957. Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 78k Ex-Hartford (IX-13) at her mooring in Portsmouth, VA., 16 August 1957. Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 91k Anchor of the Screw Sloop-of-War USS Hartford at Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT., one of the few relics of the ship that remain. 9 July 1960 Photo by Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 80k Commemorative plaque for one of the 30 pdr. Parrott Rifles from the Screw Sloop-of-War USS Hartford at the village of Freeport, N.Y. Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 37k Wheel and Fife Rail for the Screw Sloop-of-War USS Hartford on display at the US Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 50k One of USS Hartford's 9" Dahlgren Naval Guns on display at Hagerstown, MD. Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D., LT. USN (Ret)
    Hartford 5533k A 10" Dahlgren smooth bore cannon from USS Hartford at Mare Island's Alden Park, April 1980.
    File name: IX 13 165643-4-80, Navy Photo April 1980.    		 Darryl Baker
    Hartford 466k Photo of the original cathead plate from USS Hartford photographed in now in September 1959 and now on display as a plaque at the Shipyard Museum at Mare Island.
    File name: IX 13 45699-9-59, Navy Photo, Sept 1959.    		 Darryl Baker
    View the USS Hartford (IX-13)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    "USS HARTFORD, SCREW SLOOP OF WAR 22 NOVEMBER 1858 / 20 NOVEMBER 1956."
    A supplemental history of USS Hartford (IX-13) written by Robert Hall
    Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Lowndes, Charles27 May 1859 - ?
    03CAPT. Reader, William Heron23 November 1901 - ?
    05CDR. Scales, Archibald Henderson :RADM11 June 1910 - ?
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable to this Vessel
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    Last Updated 8 January 2010