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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Philippi

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal
Sidewheel Steamer:
  • Built as the sidewheel steamer SS Ella in 1863 by W. Denny and Bros. Ltd, Dumbarton, Scotland, engined by Robert Napier & Sons, Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Launched in 1863
  • Captured while running the blockade off the coast of North Carolina, 10 November 1863, by USS Howquah
  • Acquired by the Navy from the Boston prize court, 23 February 1864,
  • Renamed Philippi, 27 February 1864
  • Commissioned, USS Philippi 11 April 1864, Act. Master James T. Seaver in command
  • Assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron as a picket patrol and dispatch vessel
  • Destroyed by Confederate artillery while following Admiral Farragut’s fleet into Mobile Bay 5 August 1864
    Specifications:
    Displacement 311 t.
    Length 140'
    Beam 24'
    Depth 9' 19"
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement 41
    Armament two 12-pdr rifles
    Propulsion
    boiler(s)
    steam engine(2)
    two sidewheels
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Ella
    098633401    		 44k Illustration of the Confederate blockade runner SS Ella underway Robert Hurst
    Ella
    098633402    		 126k SS Ella at anchor, date and location unknown.
    National Maritime Museum, clydebuiltships    		 John Spivey
    USS Philippi
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01Act. Master Seaver, James T.11 April 1864 (Comm) -
    5 August 1864 (Sinking)    		Courts Martialed and Dishonorably Discharged, 21 October, 1864, for disobeying a direct order resulting in the loss of his ship. His discharge had to be approved by President Lincoln.
    Courtesy Bill Gonyo
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    Last Updated 18 November 2022