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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Agawam (I)


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Sassacus Class Sidewheel Steam Frigate:
  • Laid down in October 1862 as the double-ended sidewheel gunboat Agawam at Portland, ME., by George W. Lawrence
  • Launched, 21 April 1863
  • Commissioned USS Agawam, 9 March 1864, CDR. Alexander C. Rhind in command
  • During the Civil War USS Agawam participated in the following:
    Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 6 May 1964
    Assigned to the James River, 9 May to support mine clearing operations and to protect Union transports and supply ships from Confederate attack
    Shifted operations to Pamlico Sound, N.C. from February 1865 to the end of the war
  • Re-assigned to operate along the Atlantic coast between Florida and the Virginia Capes, late-1865-early1867
  • Decommissioned, 31 March 1867, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Sold at auction, 10 October 1867 to Mr. James Power
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 974 t.
    Length 205'
    Beam 35'
    Depth 35'
    Draft 8' 4"
    Speed 11 kts
    Complement 145
    Armament
    two 100-pdr Parrott rifles
    four 9" smoothbores
    two 24-pdr smoothbores
    one 12-pdr smoothbores
    one 12-pdr rifle
    Propulsion steam

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    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Sassacus (I)
    098635505
    85k Generic lithograph representing the Sassacus-class gunboats.
    Wikipedia
    John Spivey
    Agawam 75k USS Agawam (I) in the James River, VA., July 1864. Photographed by Brady & Company, Washington, D.C. From the collection of Surgeon Herman P. Babcock, USN. Donated by his son, George R. Babcock, 1939
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 57252
    Bill Gonyo
    Agawam 73k USS Agawam (I) in the James River, VA., 1864-1865.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 57253
    Bill Gonyo
    Agawam 100k Sepia wash drawing by R.G. Skerrett, 1899, depicting USS Agawam (I) underway, during 1864-1865.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 57812
    Bill Gonyo
    Agawam 137k USS Agawam (I) ship's officers and crewmen pose on deck, while she was serving on the James River, VA. in August 1864. CDR. Alexander C. Rhind, ship's Commanding Officer, is at the extreme right with his foot on the ladder. Standing next to him is Assistant Surgeon Herman P. Babcock. LT.George Dewey is in the right center, wearing a straw hat, directly below the end of the davit. The pivot gun is one of the ship's two 100-pounder Parrott rifles. Note Marine in the left foreground. Photo from the collection of Surgeon Herman P. Babcock, USN. Donated by his son, George R. Babcock, 1939.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 58913
    Bill Gonyo
    Agawam 125k Some of USS Agawam (I)'s officers relaxing on deck, while she was serving on the James River, VA. in the summer of 1864. They are (from left to right): Assistant Paymaster H. Melville Hanna; CDR. Alexander C. Rhind, Commanding Officer; Assistant Surgeon Herman P. Babcock; and LT George Dewey. Note awning overhead, and windsail rigged for ventilation of the spaces below decks. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 61926
    Bill Gonyo

    USS Agawam (I)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    Last Updated 29 July 2022