USS Alaska (1868)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Alaska and USS Alaskan.

USS Alaska during the expedition to Korea, 1871
History
United States
NameUSS Alaska
NamesakeAlaska Territory
BuilderCharlestown Navy Yard
Laid down22 August 1867[1]
Launched31 October 1868
Commissioned8 December 1869
Decommissioned5 October 1876
Recommissioned23 April 1878
Decommissioned13 February 1883
FateSold, 20 November 1883
General characteristics
TypeSloop-of-war
Displacement2,394 tons
Length250 ft 6 in (76.35 m)
Beam38 ft (12 m)
Draft16 ft (4.9 m)
Speed11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Complement273
Armament
  • 1 × 11 in (280 mm) smoothbore
  • 10 × 9 in (230 mm) guns
  • 1 × 60-pounder
  • 2 × 20-pounders
Service record
Commanders:
Operations: Battle of Ganghwa, 1871

The first USS Alaska was a wooden-hulled screw sloop of war, built at the Boston Navy Yard and named for the then-newly acquired territory. The ship was launched on 31 October 1868 and sponsored by Miss Grace Hull, the daughter of Mayor Liverus Hull of Charlestown, Boston. Alaska was commissioned on 8 December 1869, with Commander Homer C. Blake in command.[2]

  1. ^ Carlson, Stephen P. (2005). "Ships Built By Charlestown Navy Yard" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  2. ^ "USS Alaska". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2012.