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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Eutaw


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Sassacus Class Sidewheel Gunboat:
  • Laid down, date unknown, by J.J. Abrahams, Baltimore, MD
  • Launched in 1863
  • Commissioned USS Eutaw, 2 July 1863, LCDR. Homer C. Blake in command
  • Following commissioning Eutaw was ordered to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron where she spent most of the Civil War operating on the Potomac and James Rivers and along the Atlantic Coast
  • Eutaw covered the Army landing below City Point, VA., 4-5 May 1864
  • She bombarded the Confederates at Malvern Hill, 14 and 17 July 1864
  • Eutaw and USS Augusta towed the ill-fated monitor USS Tecumseh from Hampton Roads to the Gulf of Mexico, returning to the James River, 22 August
  • Ordered to New York City in April 1865 where she was decommissioned, 8 May 1865
  • Sold, 15 October 1867
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 974 tons.
    Length 254'
    Beam 35'
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft 8' 6"
    Speed unknown
    Complement 135
    Armament
    two 100-pdr Parrott rifles
    four 9 in Dahlgren smoothbores
    two 20-pdr Parrott rifles
    Propulsion
    one direct-acting steam engine
    two sidewheels

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    Size Image Description Source
    Eutaw 107k Lithograph of USS Eutaw published by Endicott & Co., New York, circa 1865. This image was used in Endicott & Co. prints to represent many, if not all, of the Sassacus class double-ender gunboats.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # Catalog #: NH 61876
    Robert Hurst
    TECUMSEH 150k Rare painting of USS Tecumseh at sea en route to Mobile Bay, accompanied by USS Augusta (right) and USS Eutaw. Oil on canvas (1912) by Xanthus Smith, Captain's Clerk aboard Augusta. Photo courtesy of Dr. Charles V. Peery via explorersclub.ca. via denix.osd.mil.
    Eutaw
    098681002
    107k THE GUN-BOAT "EUTAW
    "WE give above an illustration representing one of our war steamers, the Eutaw, now in the Washington Navy Yard. She is one of the only class of side-wheel steamers constructed by the Naval Department, and known as a double-ender. Several charges having lately been brought against the Department for building slow steamers, Secretary Welles has proposed, for the purpose of a trial, a match between the Eutaw and the fastest side-wheel steamer which the country can bring against her. This challenge was about a week ago read before the Chamber of Commerce, which body did not feel disposed to accept it. The tonnage of the Eutaw is 974, and her draught eight feet six inches, and the Secretary claims for her that she will run against the same draught and tonnage in any water. Her length is 254 feet; she has a direct-acting engine with a cylinder 58 inches in diameter. Several very interesting experiments have been carried on on board of this vessel with super-heated steam, and on the evaporative powers of the boilers with a steam jet. She is commanded by Commander HOMER C. BLAKE, who, it will be remembered, was in command of the Hatteras when she fought the rebel privateer Alabama. Commander Blake, although a young officer, is one of the most promising in our naval service, and deserves to have a fast ship."
    Harper's Weekly, January 30, 1864, page 77 of the boilers with a steam jet. She is commanded by Commander HOMER C. BLAKE, who, it will be remembered, was in command of the Hatteras when she fought the rebel privateer Alabama. Commander Blake, although a young officer, is one of the most promising in our naval service, and deserves to have a fast ship.
    Tommy Trampp

    USS Eutaw
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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    Last Updated 1 May 2020