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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

Josiah A. Bell

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Sidewheel Steamer:
  • Josiah A. Bell, also known as J. A. Bell (Way Packet Directory as J. H. Bell [ Josiah H. Bell ] was built in Jeffersonville, IN., in 1853
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Cotton-clad at Sabine Pass the summer of 1862 for service with the Texas Marine Department, CAPT. Charles H. Fowler, in command
  • On 20 January 1863, steaming in company with Uncle Ben they engaged the blockading sloop-of-war USS Morning Light and armored schooner USS Fairy, formerly Velocity
  • During a 2-hour fight army sharpshooters on board Josiah A. Bell repeatedly swept the decks of Morning Light and soon caused her to strike her colors
  • Meanwhile Uncle Ben effected the schooner's unconditional surrender
  • Josiah A. Bell would remain a worry and threat to the blockading vessels off Sabine Pass
  • At the end of the war Josiah A Bell was operating in Sabine Lake
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 412 t.
    Length 171'
    Beam 30'
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft 6'7"
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament one or two guns
    Propulsion
    Steam, two sidewheels
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Josiah A. Bell
    098676301    		 34k Model of the Confederate cotton-clad side-wheel steamer Josiah A. Bell by Robert Hass of Lumberton, N.C. The The Confederates transformed steamboats by lining them with cotton bales to protect the crew and sensitive machinery.
    Clifton Steamboat Museum    		 Tommy Trampp
    Josiah A. Bell
    098676302    		 369k This modern cotton bale weighing 450 pounds demonstrates the size and appearance of a bale of cotton as it may have looked during the Civil War.
    Clifton Steamboat Museum    		 Tommy Trampp
    Josiah A. Bell
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Requiem for a Confederate Gunboat
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 6 January 2023