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USS Mount Washington

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this ship’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Ship Information (from DANFS)1,2:

Name: USS Mount Washington Type: Sidewheel Gunboat Tonnage: 500
Length: 200’ Beam: 24’ Draught: 6’6”
Speed: Max: 12 knots, Avg.: 5 knots Complement: Not Listed. Class: Not Listed.
Armament: Oct. 18, 1864, November 11, 1864, May 30, 1865: 1 32‑pdr. 47 cwt.
Namesake: Not Listed.

Images:

NH 45740 ‘The U.S. Steamer Mount Vernon Reconnoitreing the Unfinished Rebel Batteries on Mathias Point, on the Virginia Bank of the Potomac, Sixty Miles below Washington.3

 

Captain(s):
Acting Master H. H. Haynie
Captain Image

Captain 2
Captain Image

Captain 3
Captain Image

 

First Offensive Order of Battle (June 13-18, 1864): James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (June 17, 1864)4

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:
  • Note: On June 17, 1864, this ship is noted as a “transport” and “above Wilson’s Wharf” on the James River.5

Second Offensive Order of Battle (June 19-30, 1864):

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:

Third Offensive Order of Battle (July 1-31, 1864): Fourth Division (James River) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (July 31, 1864)6

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:
  • Note: On July 31, 1864, this ship is noted as “inside transport.”7

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle (August 1-31, 1864): Fourth Division (James River) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (August 17, 1864)8

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:
  • Note: On August 17, 1864, this ship is noted as a “transport.”9

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle (September 1-October 13, 1864): Second Division (Hampton Roads and James River) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (September 1 & 16 and October 1, 1864)10,11,12

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament: 1 x 32‑pdr. 47 cwt. (October 18, 1864)13
  • Notes:
    • On September 1 & 16, 1864, this ship is noted as a “transport.”14,15
    • On October 1, 1864, this ship is noted as a “transport; needs extensive repairs.”16

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle (October 14-31, 1864):

  • Captain:
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle (November 1-December 31, 1864):

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. (repairing) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (November 1, 1864)17

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (December 5, 1864)18

James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (December 15, 1864)19

  • Captain: Acting Master H. H. Haynie (November 1 and December 5 & 15, 1864) (also noted as a pilot on December 15)20,21,22
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:
    • 1 x 32‑pdr. 47 cwt. (October 18, 1864)23
    • 1 x “guns” (December 15, 1864)24
  • Note: On December 15, 1864, this ship is noted as a “Class 4” vessel.25

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle (January 1-February 28, 1865):

James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865)26,27,28,29

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (February 25, 1865)30

  • Captain: Acting Master and Pilot H. H. Haynie (January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865)31,32,33,34
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament: 1 x “gun” (January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865)35,36,37,38
  • Note: On January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865, this ship is noted as a “Class 4” vessel. 39,40,41,42

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle (March 1-April 2, 1865):

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy March 18, 1865)43

James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (April 1 & 15, 1865)44,45

  • Captain: Acting Master and Pilot H. H. Haynie (March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865)46,47,48
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament: 1 x “gun” (March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865)49,50,51
  • Note: On March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865, this ship is noted as a “Paddle Class” vessel.52,53,54

 

Siege of Petersburg Battles:

  • TBD

 

Siege of Petersburg Involvement:55

The side‑wheel gunboat Mount Vernon, built at Philadephia in 1846, was seized by order of the War Department 21 April 1861 and transferred to the Navy on that date for active duty with the Potomac Flotilla, Lt. J. Glendy Sprosteon in command.

After fitting out at the Washington Navy Yard (striking the wharf in the process), Mount Vernon was ready for duty.

In this area for the remainder of 1861, Mount Vernon changed her name to Mount Washington 4 November 1861 to prevent confusion.

She joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Norfolk 25 February 1865. In April, she served as supply ship downriver until decommissioning. She was sold at public auction at Baltimore 21 June 1865. Redocumented 18 October 1865, she continued to serve American commerce until 1880.

 

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. “DANFS.” Naval History and Heritage Command, www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs.html.
    2. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Volume 1, p. 152153
    3. “NH 45740 ‘The U.S. Steamer Mount Vernon Reconnoitreing the Unfinished Rebel Batteries on Mathias Point, on the Virginia Bank of the Potomac, Sixty Miles below Washington.”.” Naval History and Heritage Command, www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-45000/NH-45740.html. Photo #: NH 45740 The U.S. Steamer Mount Vernon Reconnoitreing the Unfinished Rebel Batteries on Mathias Point, on the Virginia Bank of the Potomac, Sixty Miles below Washington. Line engraving published in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1861, depicting a scene on the foredeck of USS Mount Vernon (later renamed Mount Washington) during her operations on the Potomac River in mid-1861. Note the 32-pounder smoothbore gun. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
    4. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 157158
    5. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 157158
    6. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 324325
    7. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 324325
    8. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 370371
    9. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 370371
    10. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 410412
    11. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 462463
    12. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 514515
    13. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Volume 1, p. 152153
    14. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 410412
    15. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 462463
    16. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume X, pp. 514515
    17. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 3940
    18. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 140142
    19. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 192194
    20. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 3940
    21. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 140142
    22. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 192194
    23. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Volume 1, p. 152153
    24. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 192194
    25. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 192194
    26. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 398400
    27. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 597599
    28. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 722724
    29. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 2021
    30. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 5455
    31. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 398400
    32. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 597599
    33. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 722724
    34. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 2021
    35. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 398400
    36. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 597599
    37. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 722724
    38. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 2021
    39. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 398400
    40. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 597599
    41. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XI, pp. 722724
    42. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 2021
    43. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 7173
    44. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 9394
    45. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 116118
    46. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 7173
    47. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 9394
    48. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 116118
    49. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 7173
    50. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 9394
    51. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 116118
    52. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 7173
    53. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 9394
    54. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Volume XII, pp. 116118
    55. “Mount Washington.” Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/m/mount-washington.html.
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