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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

Clara Dolsen

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Side-wheel Steamer:

Built in Cincinnati, OH in 1861

Captured, 14 June 1862, by the gunboat USS Mound City and the tug Spitfire (not listed in DANFS) on the White River during the St. Charles expedition.

Clara Dolsen participated in the joint Army-Navy expedition to recapture Henderson, KY., 19 to 24 July 1862

Following that action Clara Dolsen served as a receiving ship at Cairo, IL. until April 1864

Since she had not been labeled as a prize, her owners brought suit for her return

The final adjudication restored Clara Dolsen to her owners, and she was turned over to the US Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois in May 1864, for delivery to her owners

Final Disposition, burned at St. Louis, 4 February 1868

Specifications:
Displacement 939 t.
Length 268'
Beam 42'
Depth 8' 9"
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Armament

one 32-pdr

Propulsion steam

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
	8k	Robert Siderfin Critchel entered naval service at Cairo, Illinois on 3 Sept 1863. Two weeks prior to interview he obtained letters from Congressman Henry T. Blow and a couple of businessmen to see Admiral Porter, then in command of the Mississippi Squadron. In his absence he was interviewed by Captain Peacock and was asked what position in the navy he desired to be appointed. Being “green as a gooseberry” in the ways of the navy replied “the lowest commissioned officer in the navy”. He was given the rank of Acting Master’s Mate, issued a temporary uniform and assigned to the receiving ship *Clara Dolsen* for his indoctrination period. Once this was completed he was assigned to the gunboat USS Silver Cloud. He served aboard her for the duration of the war and was discharged from the Navy on 4 September 1865. He wrote a booked titled the “Recollections of a Fire Insurance Man” which is available as an e-book for a more detailed reading of his Navy experience.		Bill Gonyo

Clara Dolsen
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 10 May 2013