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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

Benefit

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal
Sidewheel Steamer (Tug):
  • Built at Metropolis, IL., in 1863
  • Launched in1863
  • Acquired by the Navy circa late 1863-early in 1864 from Mr. Edward Buse for use of the Mississippi Squadron as a tug and general transport
  • Manned by a civilian crew and commanded by an officer appointed by her owner, under the direction of Acting Master John D. Harty, beginning Naval service circa February 1864
  • Benefit departed Cairo, IL., 2 February 1864, descending the Mississippi with important dispatches for RADM. David D. Porter
  • Benefit participated in the the joint Army Navy expedition up the Red River in the spring of 1864
  • While engaged in this operation, she braved the fire of a four gun battery some 50 miles above Grand Ecore, to carry information to the admiral
  • The civilian master of the tug was killed in the action, and LT. Silas W. Terry took charge of the vessel so that she might complete her mission.
  • After Porter's Flotilla succeeded in withdrawing from the Red River, Benefit continued to serve on the Mississippi and its tributaries supporting the Mississippi Squadron until after the Confederacy collapsed in April 1965
  • On 9 April 1865, her commanding officer was ordered to turn all public property on board over to the naval station at Mound City, IL.
  • Soon hereafter, she was returned to her owner
  • The tug resumed merchant service and continued to operate on the Mississippi River system until she was destroyed by fire, 6 April 1867, at Starks Landing, AL.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 213 t.
    Length unknown
    Beam unknown
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament unknown
    Propulsion
    boiler(s)
    steam engine(s)
    two sidewheels
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Benefit
    0986116401    		 347k USS William H.Brown (left) and Benefit during the Red River Campaign, 1864.
    Photo from "The photographic history of the Civil War : thousands of scenes photographed 1861-65, with text by many special authorities" By Miller, Francis Trevelyan, 1877-1959, and Lanier, Robert S. (Robert Sampson), 1880-. Pub. New York : Review of Reviews Co. circa 1910s.    		 Robert Hurst
    Benefit
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 17 March 2023