LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72240

U. S. STEAM SLOOP MONONGAHELA MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,900.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
U. S. STEAM SLOOP MONONGAHELA MISSISSIPPI RIVER
<B>U. S. STEAM SLOOP MONONGAHELA - MISSISSIPPI RIVER 1863.</B></I> The first <I>Monongahela, </B></I>a barkentine-rigged screw sloop of war, built by the Philadelphia Navy Yard was launched on 10 July 1862; sponsored by Miss Emily V. Hoover, daughter of Naval Constructor Hoover who superintended the ship's construction; and commissioned on 15 January 1863, Capt. James P. McKinstry in command. Initially assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron, <I>Monongahela </B></I>sailed instead to reinforce Rear Adm. David G. Farragut's West Gulf Blockading Squadron off Mobile, Ala., remaining on duty off that port until ordered to attempt to run past Confederate batteries on the Mississippi at Port Hudson, La., on the night of 14 to 15 March 1863. As Army forces ashore conducted a mortar bombardment, the squadron got underway about 2200, heavier ships <I>Hartford, Richmond, </B></I>and <I>Monongahela </B></I>screening the smaller <I>Albatross, Genesee, </B></I>and <I>Kineo </B></I>from the forts, steam frigate <I>Mississippi </B></I>bringing up the rear. In the course of the ensuing furious engagement, only <I>Hartford </B></I>and <I>Albatross </B></I>succeeded in passing up river, <I>Richmond </B></I>losing her steam power early in the battle and drifting downstream out of range with <I>Genesee </B></I>lashed alongside. <I>Monongahela </B></I>grounded under the guns of a heavy battery, taking a murderous pounding and losing six men killed and 21 wounded, including the captain, until she worked loose with <I>Kineo</B></I>'s<I> </B></I>aid. While attempting to continue upriver, her overloaded engine broke down, and the sloop was forced to drift downstream with <I>Kineo. </B></I>Venerable <I>Mississippi, </B></I>grounding at high speed, was hit repeatedly and set afire, eventually blowing up and ending the engagement. Two months later, on 27 May, Confederate defenders turned back a major assault on Port Hudson following constant bombardment by Monongahela, serving as temporary flagship of Admiral Farragut, and other ships of the squadron. On 7 July 1863, the ship, in company with New London, engaged southern field batteries behind the levee 12 miles below Donaldsville, La., Monongahela's new commanding officer, Commander Read, being killed in this action. She then departed on 26 October 1863 for Brazos Santiago, Tex., to support General Banks' troops in the capture of that town and Brownsville, 2 to 4 November, in addition capturing several blockade runners, Monongahela continued her duty off Texas, covering the landing of 1,000 Army troops on Mustang Island, Arkansas Pass, Tex., 16 to 17 November and supporting a Union reconnaissance at Pass Cavallo on the gulf shore of Matagordas Peninsula 31 December 1863 to 1 January 1864. She returned to blockade off Mobile soon after, stopping numerous blockade runners throughout the spring and summer of 1864. <BR><BR>This original beautiful pen & ink hand painted water color item, with pencil drawings, is fabulous item. The detail of the “U. S. Steam Sloop Monongahela” is very precise on the etching itself stated scale 1/12th inch to foot. Handsome addition to your Civil War naval collection. <BR><BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Fine, has some discoloration, slight folds, small paper loss.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Medium (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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