USS Monticello (1859) facts for kids
A drawing of the USS Monticello during the American Civil War, sketched by Alfred R. Waud.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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  United States |
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| Name | USS Monticello |
| Namesake | Monticello |
| Laid down | 1859 |
| Acquired | by purchase, 12 September 1861 |
| Decommissioned | 24 July 1865 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steamer |
| Displacement | 655 long tons (666 t) |
| Length | 180 ft (55 m) |
| Beam | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 11.5 kn (13.2 mph; 21.3 km/h) |
| Armament | 1 × 9 in (230 mm) gun, 2 × 32-pounder guns |
The first USS Monticello was a wooden ship that served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. It was a special type of ship called a screw-steamer. This means it was powered by a modern steam engine that turned a propeller, but it also had sails to use with the wind.
The ship was named after Monticello, the famous home of President Thomas Jefferson. It was built in 1859 in Mystic, Connecticut. When the Civil War began, the U.S. Navy bought the ship in September 1861 to help the Union. For a very short time in May 1861, it was called the Star, but its name was quickly changed back.
Contents
Service in the Civil War
The Monticello was assigned to the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. A squadron is a group of ships working together. Their main job was to form a Union blockade. This meant they used their ships to create a barrier, stopping the Confederate (or Southern) states from getting supplies by sea.
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Early Missions
The Monticello went into action right away. In May 1861, it began blockading rivers in Virginia to cut off enemy communication. It also fought against Confederate cannons on the shore, which were called batteries.
One of its most important early missions was the Battle of Hatteras Inlet in August 1861. The Monticello and other Union ships captured the Confederate forts there. This was the first major victory for the Union in the war, and it gave a big boost of confidence to the North.
Patrolling the Coast
For the next few years, the Monticello patrolled the coast of North Carolina. Its job was to stop blockade runners, which were fast ships trying to sneak past the Union blockade with supplies.
- In October 1862, it captured the British ship Revere near Wilmington.
- In November 1862, it destroyed two more ships, the Ariel and the Ann.
- Throughout 1863, it continued to capture ships and destroy enemy resources, such as salt works. Salt was very important for preserving food.
Final Wartime Actions
As the war neared its end, the Monticello took part in some of the biggest battles. In late 1864 and early 1865, it joined the massive attacks on Fort Fisher. This fort protected the last major port open to the Confederates. The capture of Fort Fisher was a huge blow to the South.
After that victory, the Monticello helped capture another fort, Fort Caswell, in January 1865. Its service helped the Union win the war.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, the Navy no longer needed so many ships. The Monticello was decommissioned on July 24, 1865. This means it was officially retired from military service.
The ship was sold to a private owner and became a merchant ship. For several years, it carried cargo for businesses. Its journey came to an end on April 29, 1872, when it sank during a storm off the coast of Newfoundland.
See also
