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USS Mattabesett (1863) facts for kids

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The Battle of Albemarle Sound. Mattabesett is second from right
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History
Name USS Mattabesett
Builder A. & G. T. Sampson, Boston, Massachusetts
Laid down 1862
Launched 1863
Commissioned 7 April 1864
Decommissioned 31 May 1865
Fate Sold, 15 October 1865
General characteristics
Type Gunboat
Displacement 1,173 long tons (1,192 t)
Length 205 ft (62 m)
Beam 35 ft (11 m)
Draft 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Installed power 1 × 712 ihp inclined direct-acting steam engine, auxiliary sails
Propulsion 2 × sidewheels
Sail plan Schooner-rigged
Speed 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement 100 officers and enlisted
Armament
  • 2 × 100-pounder (45 kg) Parrott rifles
  • 4 × 9 in (230 mm) smoothbore Dahlgren guns
  • 4 × 24-pounder (11 kg) guns
  • 1 × 12-pounder (5 kg) smoothbore gun
  • 1 × 12-pounder (5 kg) rifled gun

The USS Mattabesett was a special kind of ship called a gunboat. It had a wooden body and used big paddle wheels on its sides to move through the water. It also had sails, like a schooner. This ship was built in Boston, Massachusetts, and was named after the Mattabesset River in Connecticut. The Mattabesett was an important ship for the Union Navy during the American Civil War. It helped patrol waters and fight in battles. It was officially put into service on April 7, 1864, with Commander John C. Febiger in charge.

Mattabesett's Adventures at Sea

The Mattabesett left New York on April 21, 1864. Its job was to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. This squadron worked to stop supplies from reaching the Confederate side during the war.

Joining the Blockade

The ship arrived at Hampton Roads on April 23. It was helping to protect another ship, the USS Onondaga. From there, the Mattabesett continued south. It entered the North Carolina Sounds, which are inland waterways.

Battle of Albemarle Sound

On May 5, the Mattabesett took part in an important fight. This was the Battle of Albemarle Sound. It happened near the mouth of the Roanoke River. The Union forces faced a powerful Confederate ship called the CSS Albemarle. The Albemarle was a strong, armored ship known as a ram. It was joined by two other Confederate ships, the CSS Bombshell and the CSS Cotton Plant.

During the battle, the Mattabesett worked with another Union ship, the USS Sassacus. Together, they managed to capture the Bombshell. However, the Albemarle and Cotton Plant were able to get away. This battle was part of the events that led to the Confederates taking control of Plymouth, North Carolina.

Serving Through the War

Except for a short trip back to New York in the fall of 1864, the Mattabesett stayed busy. It continued to serve with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. It mostly operated in the inland waters of North Carolina. The ship played its part until the American Civil War ended.

End of Service

In May 1865, the Mattabesett sailed north. It was officially taken out of service in New York on May 31. A few months later, on October 15, the ship was sold. Its time serving the Union Navy had come to an end.

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