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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Ouachita

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal
Tinclad Wooden Side-wheel Gunboat:
  • Capture Confederate steamer CSS Louisville purchased by the Union Navy from the Prize Court at Cairo, Ill., 29 September 1863
  • Commissioned USS Ouachita, 18 January 1864, LCDR. Byron Wilson assumed command 1 February
  • During the Civil War Ouachita operated in the Mississippi and its tributaries
    Participated in the Red River expedition 12 March to 22 May 1864
    Ascended the Red River in May and June 1865 to receive the surrender of Confederate forces
    Decommissioned, 3 July 1865, at Mound City, IL.
  • Sold at auction, 25 September 1865, at Mound City, IL.
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 720 t.
    Length 227' 5"
    Beam 38'
    Depth 7' 6"
    Draft 7'
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament
    four 30-pdr Army Parrott rifles
    one 30-pdr Navy Parrott rifle
    eight 24-pdrs
    one 12-pdr rifle
    Propulsion steam
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Ouachita 75k USS Ouachita photographed by A.D. Lytle, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alfred Marshall served a Pilot on this steamer. Collection of Alfred Marshall. Courtesy of Mrs. William A. McElhiney, 1984.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 100000    		 Aryeh Wetherhorn
    Ouachita 96k USS Ouachita on the Western Rivers during the Civil War.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 49986    		 Aryeh Wetherhorn
    Ouachita 76k Wash drawing by F. Muller, circa 1900, depicting USS Ouachita on the Western Rivers during the Civil War.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 55830    		 Aryeh Wetherhorn
    Ouachita 73k Pen and ink drawing by Samuel War Stanton of USS Ouachita depicting the ship operating on the Western Rivers during the Civil War. Collections of the Navy Department, 1967.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 65466    		 Robert Hurst
    Ouachita 221k Pilot Alfred Marshall, U.S. Navy. Photographed during the Civil War by Hord & Harmon, Post Office Building, Dayton, OH. His uniform includes shoulder straps bearing a six-spoke steering wheel insignia. The river pilots became crucial during the Union blockade of the South during the Civil War. USS Ouachita operated in the Mississippi and its tributaries. Rivers had an ever changing face of sand bars, shoals, and man made obstacles which included everything from sunken boats to chains across the river requiring the services of a pilot to navigate the waterways.
    Includes US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 100001.    		 Bill Gonyo
    USS Ouachita
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 17 March 2017