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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Pensacola (I)

1910-International Radio Call Sign:
Nan - Oboe - Unit NOU

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Screw Steamer:

Laid down, date unknown, at Pensacola Navy Yard

Launched, 15 August 1859

Commissioned USS Pensacola, 5 December 1859 for towing to Washington Navy Yard for installation of machinery;

Decommissioned 31 January 1860, at Washington, Navy Yard

Recommissioned in full as USS Pensacola, 16 September 1861, at Washington Navy Yard, CAPT. Henry W. Morris in command

Assigned to Flag Officer Farragut’s West Gulf Blockading Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico

Decommissioned, 29 April 1864, at New York Navy Yard for the installation of new and improved machinery.

Recommissioned, 16 August 1866, USS Pensacola sailed round Cape Horn to join the Pacific Squadron

During Pensacola's refit in 1870-71 she received her complete spar deck

While at Mare Island Navy Yard between August and November 1878 Pensacola received two funnels and boilers, removed from USS Benecia

Decommissioned, 23 May 1884, at Norfolk, VA.

Recommissioned 4 April 1885, at Norfolk, VA.

In 1889, at Norfolk Navy Yard, one funnel was removed and her boilers were replaced by boilers built for the cancelled screw frigate Ontario (III)

Decommissioned, 18 April 1892, at Mare Island Navy Yard

Recommissioned, 22 November 1898, at Mare Island Navy Yard, serving as a training ship for Naval apprentices until going back into ordinary 31 May 1899

Recommissioned, 14 July 1901, to serve as receiving ship at Yerba Buena Training Station, San Francisco

Decommissioned, 6 December 1911

Struck from the Navy Register, 23 December 1911

Final Disposition, burned and sunk by the Navy in San Francisco Bay near Hunter’s Point early in May 1912

Recognisable Features

- 15 gun ports before galleries, 16 gun ports in broadside without galleries (see photo above)

- Noticeably wider spacing between gun ports 2 and 3

- Spar deck added in 1871

- Built with quarter galleries, had them removed by the late 1860s, and had them added again in the 1870s

- Did not have a gun deck pivot gun / pivot port added during the 1880s

- Re-engined in 1864 but retained one funnel.

- Re-boilered in 1878 with boilers from USS Benecia, giving her two funnels until the late 1880s when she was again equipped with one funnel. In photos definitively dated to 1886 in the Mediterranean she still carries two funnels whereas by 1889 she is back to one funnel that is angled aft.

- Channel gaps: early - as built to 1871 – channels even with tops of gun ports – (2/5, 4/5), (1/4, 2/3), (2/3). Late - with addition of spar deck in 1871 her channels were moved just above the gun ports – no channel gaps

Specifications:
Displacement 3,000 t.
Length 130' 5"
Beam 44' 5"
Draft 18' 7"
Speed 9.5 kts.
Complement unknown

Armament

one 11" Dahlgren smoothbore.

sixteen 9" Dahlgren smoothbores

Propulsion steam

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
	96k	Sketch of the Washington Navy Yard, looking north from off the waterfront in 1861. USS Pensacola is fitting out at left, near the western shiphouse. The eastern shiphouse is at right and the Commandant's Office is in the right center, next to the flagpole. US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 91937 Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photographic Collection, 1981.	Robert Hurst
	159k	Steam frigate USS Pensacola off Alexandria, VA., circa 1861-1864. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, digital ID cwpb 00715.	Robert Hurst
	76k	Steam frigate USS Pensacola in Alexandria, VA. just after fitting out and commissioning (circa late-1861). *Pensacola* was preparing to depart Alexandria and join Flag Officer David G Farragut's Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron in January, 1862. Photo from the collections of the Library of Congress.	Don Wagner
	143k	The "FORLORN HOPE" of Farragut's Fleet, the steam frigate USS Pensacola, off Alexandria, VA. circa 1861-1864 US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 286. Library of Congress; LC-B8184-B864 (Lot 4182, no. 16)	Mike Green and Robert Hurst
094691023	81k	USS Pensacola underway down the Potomac River outbound to sea, 11 January 1862. From a 1862 Harpers Publication.	Tommy Trampp
	134k	Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862, based on a sketch by an officer of USS Mississippi depicting Commodore Farragut's Squadron and Captain Porter's Mortar Fleet entering the Mississippi River at the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi, circa 7 April 1862. Features identified in the engraving's title lines include (from left to right): Light-house on Southwest Pass; USS Colorado (in left foreground); USS Pensacola on the bar; USS Westfield (seen nearly stern-on); Porter's mortar fleet, heading up the river; USS Mississippi on the bar; USS Harriet Lane (side-wheel steamer at the rear of the mortar fleet); USS Connecticut (in right foreground); USS Clifton; town of Banona. US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 59059	Robert Hurst
	79k	"Panoramic View of the United States Fleet passing the Forts on the Mississippi, on its way to New Orleans, April 19th, 1862." Contemporary line engraving published in "The Soldier in our Civil War", Volume I. It depicts the Federal ships shortly before they began the passage of the forts, with the Confederate gunboats waiting upstream. Individual U.S. Navy ships (as identified in text below the engraving) are: USS John P. Jackson; USS Mississippi; USS Pensacola; USS Hartford (Flagship); USS Iroquois; USS Westfield; USS Cayuga; and USS Varuna; US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 59063	Robert Hurst
	158k	"The Splendid Naval Triumph on the Mississippi, April 24th, 1862" Colored lithograph, published by Currier & Ives, 1862. The original print bears the following descriptive text: "Destruction of the Rebel gunboats, rams and iron clad batteries by the Union Fleet under Flag Officer Farragut. The attack was commenced on the 18th of April and continued until the 25th resulting in the capture of Forts Jackson, St. Phillip, Livingston, Pike and the city of New Orleans, as well as the destruction of all the enemy gunboats, rams, floating batteries (iron clad), fire rafts, booms and chains. The enemy with their own hands destroying cotton and shipping valued at from eight to ten millions of dollars. 'The sight of this night attack was awfully grand, the river was lit up with blazing rafts filled with pine knots and the ships seemed to be fighting literally amidst flames and smoke.'" In this view, ships are identified as (starting at top left center, up the river, running down to the right, then across toward the left): Confederate steamers; USS Cayuga (leading the Union column), USS Pensacola, burning confederate steamer, USS Varuna, USS Oneida, USS Mississippi (engaging the ram CSS Manassas), USS Richmond, USS Kineo, USS Hartford (flagship, in collision with a fire raft), USS Brooklyn and USS Winona. A Confederate fire raft is in the lower right. Fort St. Phillip is shown at right and Fort Jackson at left. Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.	Tommy Trampp
	137k	Line engraving published in "Virtue", depicting the battle, which took place on the lower Mississippi River during the night of 24 April 1862. A key to the forts and specific U.S. and Confederate ships is given at the bottom of the view. The ships include USS Varuna (in action with Confederate gunboats), USS Brooklyn, USS Pawnee (not shown), USS Hartford (Farragut's flagship, with a fire raft alongside), USS Pensacola, USS Mississippi, CSS Louisiana (exploding), CSS Manassas and Federal mortar vessels. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 59071	Robert Hurst
0988644908	124k	CSS Governor Moore beached and in flames, 24 April 1862. The Union ships are from left to right: USS Oneida USS Pinola the sunken USS Varuna USS Iroquois and in the foreground USS Pensacola. Drawing from an 1888 Century Company New York Publication	Tommy Trampp
	594k	USS Pensacola crew looking forward in 1868 at Mare Island. File name: Pensacola 135091-3-76	Darryl Baker
	2164k	CAPT. Paul Shirley on the bridge of USS Pensacola in 1868. File name: Pensacola 893-1868	Darryl Baker
094691034	171k	USS Pensacola serving as flagship of the North Pacific Squadron in 1869, probably at San Francisco. She served her entire 1866-1870 commission on this station. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 4491.	Robert Hurst
094691044	175k	USS Pensacola at anchor of Mare Island Navy Yard, May 1869. Notice the lack of galleries. The quarter galleries which appear in 1861 photos were apparently removed in her 1864-66 refit. She received a complete spar deck and new quarter galleries in her 1870-71 refit. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 449990	Rob Jensen
	950k	USS Pensacola in the Mare Island Channel circa 1870s prior to her 1878 refit and rebuilding.	Darryl Baker
	84k	View looking along the waterfront of Mare Island Navy Yard during the 1870s, with the city of Vallejo on the opposite side of the channel. Ships tied up at the Navy Yard include USS Saranac (left), USS Independence (center), and a Revenue Cutter (right center). Moored offshore are USS California (left) and USS Pensacola (left center). The yard's floating drydock is in the right distance, circa October-November 1871. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 68685, from the William H. Topley collection. Courtesy of Charles M. Loring, 1969.	Robert Hurst
	130k	USS Pensacola at anchor in 1875 off Mare Island Navy Yard with the town of Vallejo, CA. in in the background.	Tommy Trampp
	1833k	Mare Island Waterfront 1873-84. USS Pensacola is in the foreground Ships in the background from left to right are: USS Saranac, unidentified small ship (likely a revenue cutter), USS Vanderbilt (large side wheeler with her engines housed-over), several other unidentified ships at the yard's coal wharf and what appears to be the monitor USS Monadnock with main deck housed-over.	Darryl Baker
	131k	USS Pensacola at anchor off Alexandria, Egypt, in 1886. US Navy photo from "Conways All The World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905".	Robert Hurst
	1843k	Mare Island waterfront 1887-1901. USS Pensacola, mid photo, moored at the quay wall, at Navy Yard Mare Island, Vallejo, CA., in 1897. USS Mohican is in dry dock #1 (you can see her masts and bow). *USS Philadelphia* (C-4)** is moored in the channel; and USS Independence is aft of *Pensacola*.File name Mohican 1897-01, Navy Photo, November 1987	Darryl Baker
	938k	USS Mohican (left) and USS Pensacola (right) moored at the Mare Island Navy Yard quay wall, circa 1890s. A US Navy photo now in the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum.	Darryl Baker
094691032	157k	USS Pensacola moored to a buoy, probably in San Francisco Bay, circa 1880s. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 81325.	Robert Hurst
094691045	215k	Sepia photograph mounted on cardboard of USS Pensacola off Mare Island Navy Yard, January 1881. From the pamphlet “Narrative of the Wreck of the Chilean Ship *Maria Helena,” written by USS Pensacola* commanding officer RADM Thomas Holdup Stevens, Jr. USN. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH NHF-087.01	Rob Jensen
	1084k	Broadside view of USS Pensacola off San Francisco circa 1891. File name: Pensacola 959 1890	Darryl Baker
094691024	256k	USS Pensacola Berth Deck cooks. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 63290	Robert Hurst
094691025	195k	USS Pensacola Gun Deck, during the 1880s. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 63563	Robert Hurst
094691026	257k	USS Pensacola Captain of Flag Officers Cabin. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42876	Robert Hurst
094691027	240k	USS Pensacola Spar Deck, after an abandon ship drill, during the 1880s. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 63564	Robert Hurst
	251k	Steam frigate USS Pensacola firing her guns, circa 1879-late 1880s. Photo from the collections of the Library of Congress.	Bill Gonyo
	93k	Port Broadside view of USS Pensacola moored pierside, circa 1890-1901, location unknown. Library of Congress photo # LC-D4-20089	Mike Green
094691029	127k	USS Pensacola at anchor, probably in San Francisco Bay, date unknown. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 69793.	Robert Hurst
094691036	345k	USS Pensacola men of the port watch, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. Note boat Howitzer used as a seat at right, and foot of the main brace behind it. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42893.	Robert Hurst
094691037	385k	USS Pensacola apprentices pose with mascot cat and dogs, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. Note the coal chute cover in the deck. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42891.	Robert Hurst
094691039	299k	Four views of USS Pensacola taken on board as the ship comes into port, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. Captain George Dewey, her Commanding Officer, is in the middle of the group of officers on the bridge. Note men sweeping deck, and standing by with belaying pins, ready to drop anchor. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42887.	Robert Hurst
094691038	336k	USS Pensacola abandon ship drill, probably taken when she returned to the U.S. in February 1888. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42877.	Robert Hurst
094691040	283k	USS Pensacola ship's officers, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. In front row are (left-right, starting fourth from left): Lieutenant Commander Roswell D. Hitchcock; Captain George Dewey; Chief Engineer William G. Buehler; Medical Inspector Adolph A. Hoehling; Chaplain (?) ; Pay Inspector Arthur J. Pritchard. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42874.	Robert Hurst
094691041	376k	USS Pensacola's crew hoisting in the steam cutter, with tackle rigged to the fore and main lower yards, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42888.	Robert Hurst
094691042	361k	USS Pensacola's Marines paraded for inspection, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. Captain George Dewey, her Commanding Officer, is right center, between hatch and skylight. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42885.	Robert Hurst
094691043	229k	Board of Inspection and Survey visits USS Pensacola, probably upon her return to the U.S. in February 1888. Present are (left-right): Lieutenant Commander A.S. Snow; Captain C.S. Norton; Rear Admiral James E. Jouett (President); NavConst. P. Hichborn; and Chief Engineer P. Inch. Note hammocks. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42875.	Robert Hurst
	1089k	Post card by A. Cruz of USS Pensacola at Yerba Buena Island circa 1898. Apprentices returning from a cruise. File name: Pensacola at Yerba Buena Island	Darryl Baker
	1507k	USS Pensacola at the Mare Island sea wall circa 1898. File name: Pensacola D-17 1898	Darryl Baker
	1259k	USS Pensacola moored in Mare Island channel circa 1898. File name: Pensacola NRL 10458 1898	Darryl Baker
	1401k	View of the southern section of Mare Island Navy Yard in November 1898. The Ship at the quay wall (left) is USS Pensacola serving as a training ship. The yard's receiving ship USS Independence is seen below the boom of the 40 ton dry dock rail crane. *USS Monterey* (M-6)** is dry dock number 1. The shed below the 40 ton crane is the winch for the marine railway. File name: MINSY November 1898	Darryl Baker
	135k	USS Pensacola officers from the book “U.S. Naval Training Station Yerba Buena Island” (1899).	Bill Gonyo
	160k	Receiving Ship USS Pensacola moored at US Naval Training Station, Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay while conducting an artillery drill in the foreground. From the book “U.S. Naval Training Station Yerba Buena Island” (1899).	Bill Gonyo
094691033	152k	USS Pensacola serving as a training ship at the Yerba Buena Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California, in 1901. Note men practicing their balance in the foremast rigging. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 75497.	Robert Hurst
094691031	190k	Receiving Ship USS Pensacola at US Naval Training Station, Yerba Buena Island, in San Francisco Bay, circa 1902. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 63565.	Robert Hurst
094691030	173k	Receiving Ship USS Pensacola and USS Alert at US Naval Training Station, Yerba Buena Island, in San Francisco Bay, circa 1903. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 69567.	Robert Hurst
094691028	220k	Receiving Ship USS Pensacola, foreground, and USTS Intrepid (III), background, moored at US Naval Training Station, Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay, circa 1907.	Jay Milewski
	850k	Standard seabag issue (clothing and small stores) for Apprentice Seaman Fred H. Taylor, USN, Deck Division USS Pensacola, 1905. Henry Tramp changed his name to Fred H. Taylor because he was only 16 years old when he originally enlisted in the US Navy.	Keith Tramp, grandson of Henry Tramp