USS Colossus (1864)

Summary

USS Colossus was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy towards the end of the American Civil War. She was used to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

History
United States
Laid downdate unknown
Launched1864
Acquired6 December 1864
Commissioned24 February 1865
Decommissioned3 July 1865
Stricken1865 (est.)
FateSold, 17 August 1865
General characteristics
Displacement183 tons
Length155 ft 2 in (47.29 m)
Beam31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
Draft4 ft (1.2 m)
Propulsion
Speed5 knots
Complementnot known
Armament
  • two 30-pounder guns
  • one 12-pounder smoothbore
  • four 24-pounder howitzers

Colossus, a stern wheel steamer, was built in 1864 at Freedom, Pennsylvania; purchased 6 December 1864 at Cincinnati, Ohio, by the U.S. Navy; outfitted at Mound City, Illinois; and commissioned 24 February 1865, Acting Master F. G. Sampson in command.

Assigned to serve in the Mississippi Squadron edit

Serving in the Mississippi Squadron, Colossus patrolled the waters between Vicksburg, Mississippi, and the Arkansas River until 15 June 1865 when she returned to Mound City.

Colossus was placed out of commission 3 July 1865 and sold 17 August 1865.

References edit