USS Housatonic (1861)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Housatonic.

USS Housatonic
History
United States
NameUSS Housatonic
NamesakeThe Housatonic River
BuilderBoston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Launched20 November 1861
Sponsored byMiss Jane Coffin Colby and Miss Susan Paters Hudson
Commissioned29 August 1862
FateSunk 17 February 1864
General characteristics
TypeScrew sloop
Displacement1,240 long tons (1,260 t)
Length205 ft (62 m)
Beam38 ft (12 m)
Draft8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)
PropulsionSail and steam
Speed9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Complement160 officers and enlisted
Armament
  • 1 × 100-pounder (45 kg) Parrott rifle
  • 3 × 30-pounder (14 kg) Parrott rifles
  • 1 × 11 in (280 mm) Dahlgren smoothbore
  • 2 × 32-pounders (15 kg)
  • 2 × 24-pounder (11 kg) howitzers
  • 1 × 12-pounder (5 kg) howitzer
  • 1 × 12-pounder (5 kg) rifle

USS Housatonic was a screw sloop-of-war of the United States Navy, taking its name from the Housatonic River of New England.

Housatonic was launched on 20 November 1861, by the Boston Navy Yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts, sponsored by Miss Jane Coffin Colby and Miss Susan Paters Hudson; and commissioned there on 29 August 1862, with Commander William Rogers Taylor in command. Housatonic was one of four sister ships which included USS Adirondack, USS Ossipee, and USS Juniata. Housatonic is recognized as being the first ship sunk in combat by a submarine when she was attacked and sunk by H.L. Hunley in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.[1]

  1. ^ "The Sinking of the USS Housatonic by the Submarine CSS H.L. Hunley, off Charleston, South Carolina, 17 February 1864". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 May 2017.