USS Tuscumbia, a 575-ton casemate ironclad river gunboat
built at Cincinnati, Ohio, was commissioned in March 1863. She
was immediately in action, taking part in the recapture of Fort
Heiman on 12-14 March. On 1 April, she led a reconnaissance up
the Yazoo River. Tuscumbia next participated in the Mississippi
Squadron's night-time run past Vicksburg on 16-17 April, during
which she towed the damaged transport Forest Queen out
of danger. On 29 April, she took part in the attack on Grand Gulf,
and was disabled after receiving 81 hits from Confederate artillery.
In May, after repairs, Tuscumbia bombarded the Vicksburg
batteries. For most of the rest of the Civil War, she was under
repair or laid up, being formally decommissioned in February 1865.
USS Tuscumbia was sold in November 1865 and abandoned by
her owners in 1867.
This page features our only views of USS Tuscumbia.
Identification Note: Several of the photographs of USS
Tuscumbia presented below have frequently been published
as representing USS Chillicothe.
However, there is no doubt that these really show Tuscumbia,
which was much larger than Chillicothe.
Photo #: NH 49800
USS Tuscumbia (1863-1865)
In mid-stream on the Western Rivers, circa 1863.
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Photo #: NH 49998
USS Tuscumbia (1863-1865)
Moored to the shore on the Western Rivers, circa 1863.
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Photo #: NH 49999
USS Tuscumbia (1863-1865)
Tied to the shore on the Western Rivers, circa 1863.
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Photo #: NH 55213
USS Tuscumbia (1863-1865)
Tied up to the river bank, on the Western Rivers, circa 1863.
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Photo #: NH 55214
USS Tuscumbia (1863-1865)
Tied up with other ships, on the Western Rivers, circa 1863.
USS Linden (1863-1864, "Tinclad" # 10) is moored
outboard of the Tuscumbia. Two mortar boats, one with
a 13-inch mortar on board, are inboard.
Note damage to the rear of Tuscumbia's starboard paddle
box.
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The following images depict Tuscumbia as one of several
ships present during Civil War actions:
Photo #: NH 76557-KN (Color)
"Admiral Porter's Fleet Running the Rebel Blockade of
the Mississippi at Vicksburg, April 16th 1863."
Colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives, New York, 1863.
Ships depicted are (from the front to the rear, all USS except
as noted)): Benton (Flagship); Lafayette with General
Price alongside; Louisville; Mound City; Pittsburg;
Carondelet; transports Silver Wave, Forest Queen
& Henry Clay; and Tuscumbia.
Text under the print's title is quoted in Photo
# NH 76557-KN (Complete Caption).
Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Beverley R. Robinson
Collection.
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Photo #: NH 1852
"Battle of Grand Gulf, First position, R. Ad. D.D. Porter
Commanding"
Engraving published in Rear Admiral Henry Walke's "Naval
Scenes and Reminiscences of the Civil War in the United States
..." (1877), depicting U.S. Navy ironclads engaging Confederate
batteries at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, 29 April 1863.
U.S. ships present, as identified on the print, are (from left-center
to right): Benton, Tuscumbia, Pittsburg,
Lafayette, Louisville, Saint Louis and Carondelet.
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