USS Clinton

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 Clinton	Type: Screw Tug	Tonnage: 50
Length: 58’8”	Beam: 15’10”	Draught: Loaded: 7’, Light: 5’6”
Speed: Max: 11 knots, Avg.: 7 knots	Complement: 16 men	Class: Not Listed.
Armament: Appears to be none.
Namesake: Partial retention of former name Lena Clinton; counties in nine states.

Images:

Image Needed (Does One Exist?)

 

Captain(s):
Acting Ensign Farnum J. Runnells
Captain Image

Acting Ensign G. W. Hadden
Captain Image

Captain 3
Captain Image

 

First Offensive Order of Battle (June 13-18, 1864):

• Not Present³
• Note: The first Clinton, a screw tug, was purchased June 14, 1864 at New York under the name Lena Clinton.⁴

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

• Captain:
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Note: Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.⁵

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:
• Notes:
  • On July 31, 1864, this ship is noted as at “Hampton Roads, tug.”⁷
  • Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.⁸

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle (August 1-31, 1864): Fourth Division (James River) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (August 17, 1864)⁹

• Captain:
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Note: Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.¹⁰

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, 1864)¹¹

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. (repairing) | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (September 16 and October 1, 1864)¹²,¹³

• Captain:
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Notes:
  • On September 16 and October 1, 1864, this ship is noted as “Second Division, repairing.”¹⁴,¹⁵
  • Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.¹⁶

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

• Captain:
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Note: Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.¹⁷

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

Hampton Roads | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (November 1, 1864)¹⁸

Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (December 5 & 15, 1864)¹⁹,²⁰

• Captain:
  • Acting Ensign Farnum J. Runnells (November 1 and December 5, 1864)²¹,²²
  • Acting Ensign G. W. Hadden (December 15, 1864)²³
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Notes:
  • On December 15, 1864, this ship is noted as a “Class 4” vessel.²⁴
  • Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.²⁵,²⁶

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

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

James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (February 15, 1865)³⁰

• Captain: Acting Ensign G. W. Hadden (January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865)³¹,³²,³³,³⁴
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Note:
  • On January 1 & 15 and February 1 & 15, 1865, this ship is noted as a “Class 4” vessel.³⁵,³⁶,³⁷,³⁸
  • Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.³⁹

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle (March 1-April 2, 1865): James River, Va. | North Atlantic Blockading Squadron | Union Navy (March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865) (clearing obstructions on the James River on April 15)⁴⁰,⁴¹,⁴²

• Captain: Acting Ensign G. W. Hadden (March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865)⁴³,⁴⁴,⁴⁵
• Crew Strength:
• Armament:
• Notes:
  • Note: On March 18 and April 1 & 15, 1865, this ship is noted as a “Screw Class” vessel.⁴⁶,⁴⁷,⁴⁸
  • Clinton was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war.⁴⁹

 

Siege of Petersburg Battles:

• TBD

 

Siege of Petersburg Involvement:⁵⁰

The first Clinton, a screw tug, was purchased 14 June 1864 at New York under the name Lena Clinton. She was assigned to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Acting Ensign Farnum J. Runnells in command, for picket and tug service in the James River and at Norfolk Navy Yard until the end of the war. Arriving at New York Navy Yard 16 June 1865, she remained in use as a yard tug until sold 3 August 1870.

 

Bibliography:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

Sources: