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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive
USS Dragon
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Civil War Medal
Screw Steamer:
Built, date and location unknown
Launched, date unknown
Purchased for the Navy by George D. Morgan, at New York, 24 December 1861, for $11,000
Fitted out at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N,.Y.
Commission USS Dragon, 20 December 1861, at New York Navy Yard, Acting Master W. Watson in command
USS Dragon departed New York, 20 December 1861, to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Hampton Roads, VA.
Dragon was assigned to the James River Flotilla to attend USS Cumberland and USS Congress
to give them aid in case of attack by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack)
On 8 March 1862 Dragon participated in the famous engagement in Hampton Roads, VA., between United States and Confederate naval forces during which Cumberland
and Congress were sunk by the ironclad Virginia
When the battle was renewed the following day Dragon endeavored to get USS Minnesota afloat but was halted when a shot from one
of Virginia's rifled guns entered her boiler, exploding and causing severe damage
Dragon was sent to Baltimore, MD., for repairs
Returning to Hampton Roads 22 April 1862, Dragon was again assigned to duty with the James River Flotilla and continued to patrol in the James until 29 August 1862
when she was transferred to the Potomac Flotilla
She patrolled the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers helping enforce the blockade between Maryland and Virginia until 25 April 1865
Dragon arrived at Washington Navy Yard the following day, was decommissioned there 13 May 1865
Sold at public auction, 20 July 1865
Final Disposition, fate unknown
Specifications:
Displacement 118 t.
Length unknown
Beam 17'
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft 7'6"
Speed unknown
Complement 36
Armament
one 30-pdr Parrott rifle
one 24-pdr smoothbore
Propulsion
steam engine
one boiler
one screw
Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description |
Contributed
By |
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0986102501 |
171k |
Artist rendition of USS Dragon underway.
National Civil War Naval Museum |
John Spivey |
Dragon
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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Last Updated 10 June 2022
