USS Agawam (1863) and USS Agile (AMc-111): Difference between pages
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|Ship caption= USS ''Agawam'' in the James River, [[Virginia]], July 1864. |
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|Ship namesake= Agawam is an Indian word meaning lowland, marsh, or meadow. |
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|Ship acquired=10 April 1941 |
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|Ship in service=12 December 1941 |
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|Ship out of service=14 December 1945 |
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|Ship fate=consigned to disposal, 14 March 1946 |
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|Ship notes= covered crow’s nests, <br />netting to deter boarding |
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'''USS ''Agile'' (AMc-111)''' was an [[Agile class coastal minesweeper|''Agile''-class]] [[coastal minesweeper]] acquired by the [[U.S. Navy]] for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. |
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'''USS ''Agawam'' (1863)''' was a double-ended, side-wheel, [[gunboat]] of the [[United States Navy]] that served during the [[American Civil War]]. She was a powerful ship of approximately 1,000 tons, with powerful rifled guns and a very fast speed of 11 knots. She served the [[Union Navy]] in the [[Union blockade]] of the rivers and other waterways of the [[Confederate States of America]]. |
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''Agile'' -- a wooden-hulled coastal minesweeper -- was purchased by the Navy from Mr. John Breskovich of [[Tacoma, Washington]], on 10 April 1941 while she was still under construction at the Petersen Shipbuilding Co. in [[Tacoma, Washington]]; delivered to the Navy on 26 November 1941; and placed in service on 12 December 1941, Lt. (jg-) John G. Turbitt, [[USNR]], in charge. |
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== Constructed in Portland, Maine == |
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''Agawam'' – the first U.S. Navy to carry that name -- was built at [[Portland, Maine]], by George W. Lawrence. She was laid down in October 1862; launched on 21 April 1863; and commissioned on 9 March 1864, Commander [[Alexander Rhind|Alexander C. Rhind]] in command. She was based on the same plans as [[USS Sassacus (1862)|''Sassacus'']]. |
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''Agile'' reported for duty with the [[13th Naval District]] Inshore Patrol on 23 December. Based at the Naval Station, [[Seattle, Washington]], she patrolled the waters of [[Puget Sound]] until April of 1942 when she entered the yard for repairs and alterations. ''Agile'' completed repairs and returned to duty soon thereafter. |
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In October 1943, she moved to [[Kodiak, Alaska]], where she resumed patrols under the auspices of the Commander, [[Northwest Sea Frontier]]. After 15 April 1944, she was assigned to the newly established [[Alaskan Sea Frontier]]. |
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''Agile'' returned to Seattle on 4 October 1944. She entered the yard at Winslow Marine Railway where her minesweeping gear was removed. On 20 December 1944, she reported to the Naval Air Station, [[Whidbey Island]], and began duty loading and delivering [[torpedoes]] at bases along the coast of [[Washington]]. |
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== Redesignated IX-203 == |
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=== Capture of the ''Chesapeake'' by Southern agents === |
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On 30 December 1944, she was redesignated IX-203. That duty kept her busy until she was placed out of service on 14 December 1945. Her name was struck from the [[Navy list]] on 8 January 1946, and she was turned over to the [[Maritime Commission]] for disposal on 14 March 1946. |
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On 9 December 1863, some three months before ''Agawam'' was placed in full commission, Southern agents and sympathizers had boarded the steam packet ''Chesapeake'' at [[New York City]] under the guise of being passengers bound for Portland, Maine. |
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Shortly after midnight on the 7th, when the liner had reached a point some 20 miles north of the tip of [[Cape Cod]], these men revealed their formerly concealed side arms and took over the ship, killing her second engineer. From there, they took the ship to [[Canada|Canadian]] waters in the hope that their daring act would provoke Union warships into violating British neutrality and thereby embroil the United States in a war with [[England]]. |
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{{DANFS}} |
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When word of ''Chesapeake's'' capture reached Portland, Maine, the deputy collector of customs at that port wired Rear Admiral [[Francis Gregory|Francis Hoyt Gregory]], the supervisor of construction of all Union warships then being built in private shipyards, informing him of the loss and requesting permission to arm, man, and send out in pursuit the unfinished but seaworthy ''Agawam''. Temporary arms, officers, and men for the new warship would come from the [[revenue cutter]] ''James C. Dobbin'' which had arrived at Portland in July. |
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The Navy's extant records seem to contain no report of ''Agawam's'' chase of ''Chesapeake''. The Federal correspondence contains both statements maintaining that she did at least get underway and evidence indicating that she did not. |
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In any case, after being commissioned, ''Agawam'' remained in the [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]] fitting out until standing down Portsmouth harbor on 17 March. However, she returned to the yard two days later and entered drydock for repairs before heading back to Portland on 18 April. |
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=== Assigned to the North Atlantic blockade === |
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Assigned to the [[North Atlantic Blockading Squadron]], the gunboat departed Portland on 6 May. ''Agawam'' reached [[Hampton Roads, Virginia]] on 9 May and two days later stood up the [[James River (Virginia)|James River]] to join other Union ships in protecting [[Benjamin Franklin Butler (politician)|Benjamin Butler]]'s transports and supply ships which were threatened by [[Naval mines|torpedoes]] (naval mines), shore batteries, and a possible attack by Confederate [[ironclad]]s which were lying in the river above the Confederate batteries of [[Fort Darling]] at [[Drewry's Bluff|Drewry's Bluff]]. The danger lurking in the muddy waters of the James River had recently been emphasized by the sinking of [[USS Commodore Jones (1863)|''Commodore Jones'']] on the 6th while that side-wheel [[ferryboat]] was dragging for Southern torpedoes (naval mines), or, in 20th century parlance, floating and submerged mines. |
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On the 14th, Rear Admiral [[Samuel Phillips Lee]], the commander of the [[North Atlantic Blockading Squadron]], shifted his flag from [[USS Malvern (1860)|''Malvern'']] to ''Agawam'' since the latter drew less water and thus would enable him to supervise [[minesweeping]] operations more closely, and he remained in the new side-wheeler while giving his primary attention to operations in the James during the ensuing month and one-half. |
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=== ''Agawam’s'' first taste of fire === |
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''Agawam's'' first combat came at dawn on the 18th when she shelled Confederate forces |
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:". . . intrenching the heights at Hewlett's house, commanding Trent's Reach," |
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a straight stretch of the river flowing east along the northeastern section of Bermuda Hundred. During this time, besides serving as the squadron [[flagship]], she helped to clear the river of mines, was a mobile platform for observation of Confederate activity along both banks of the river, acted as an intelligence and communication clearinghouse, and used her guns to suppress Southern batteries ashore. |
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From first planning to land a force at [[Bermuda Hundred]], General Butler had been fearful that Confederate warships might descend from [[Richmond, Virginia]] and sink his transports and supply ships. Once his troops were actually ashore on the south side of the river, the general's anxiety was intensified by daily rumors reporting that the South was ready to launch just such an offensive. For instance, late in May, a deserter from the Southern gunboat ''Hampton'' warned that |
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:". . . the enemy have now below Drewry's Bluff three ironclads, six smaller gunboats, plated with boiler iron ... all mounted with torpedoes, and nine fire ships ... to attack at as early a moment as practicable . . . ." |
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Confident in the ability of his warships, Admiral Lee was eager to meet the Southern squadron and was hopeful that his flotilla might ascend James past the batteries at Drewry's Bluff and capture Richmond. As a result, he constantly opposed obstructing the channel. However, early in June, [[Ulysses S. Grant]] decided to shift the [[Army of the Potomac]] from its lines at [[Battle of Cold Harbor|Cold Harbor]] across the James to join Butler in operations against Richmond from the South. |
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=== Blocking the St. James River === |
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This plan made Union control of the River even more important and prompted [[Washington, D.C.]], to insist upon blocking the channel. The first stone-laden [[schooner]] was sunk on 15 June and the operation continued until [[Union Army]] leaders felt safe from Southern ironclads. |
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[[Image:USS Agawam crew 58913.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Ship's officers and crewmen pose on deck, while she was serving on the James River, Virginia, August 1864.]] |
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[[Image:USS Agawam officers 61929.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Some of the ship's officers relaxing on deck, while she was serving on the James River, Virginia, in the summer of 1864.]] |
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This barrier increased the security of Union shipping on the James and reduced the burden on the Union warships on the river, freeing Admiral Lee to attend to squadron matters elsewhere. As a result, he shifted his flag back to ''Malvern'' on the last day of June and returned to Hampton Roads. |
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''Agawam'' remained upriver where, despite the obstructions, she found ample opportunity to use her fighting skills. The presence of the tremendous concentration of Union troops south of Richmond had goaded defenders of the Confederate capital into desperate measures to interrupt Union shipping on the James. |
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The day after Admiral Lee left her, ''Agawam'' and [[USS Mendota (1863)|''Mendota'']] fired on a fortified position inside [[Four Mile Creek]] whence Southern five guns had recently fired upon [[USS Hunchback (1852)|''Hunchback'']] and, in the months that followed, frequently engaged batteries hiding along the banks of the strategic stream. |
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Early in July, Lt. [[George Dewey]] relieved Rhind in temporary command of the ship -- his first command -- but Rhind was back when ''Agawam'' fought her most memorable battle. About two hours past noon on 13 August, three batteries opened fire on the double-ender almost simultaneously from different locations, beginning an engagement which lasted over four hours before dwindling ammunition forced her to withdraw. During the action, three of ''Agawam's'' men were killed and four wounded. |
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=== Converting ''Louisiana'' into a giant bomb === |
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Late in November, boiler trouble forced ''Agawam'' downstream for extensive repairs. While the ship was being brought back to fighting trim in the [[Norfolk Navy Yard]], Comdr. Rhind left her temporarily to take command of ''Louisiana'', a steamer which had been selected to perform an unusual and seemingly important task. Rhind took with him a carefully selected group of volunteers from ''Agawam'' to man his new ship. They boarded [[USS Louisiana (1861)|''Louisiana'']] at [[Beaufort, North Carolina]], and took her to waters of [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], for use as a giant bomb to help reduce the defenses of [[Fort Fisher]] which guarded that city, the only major port still open to Confederate [[blockade runner]]s. |
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After several days of delay because of stormy weather, Rhind took the ship close aboard Fort Fisher on the night of 23 and 24 December 1864. Her crew then set her ablaze, left the ship, and managed to row to safety before ''Louisiana'' exploded. |
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=== Failed attack on Fort Fisher === |
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The concussion failed to detonate the Fort Fisher [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]], and the ensuing amphibious attack proved to be abortive. The troops who went ashore on [[Christmas Eve]] to storm the Southern stronghold reembarked the next day and headed back toward Hampton Roads. Rhind and band of volunteers returned to ''Agawam'' which was still undergoing repairs. |
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The work continued through mid-February, and the [[gunboat]] finally put to sea on the 16th. She entered [[Pamlico Sound]], [[North Carolina]], two days later and operated in the island waters of that state through the end of the Civil War. |
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== Post-war service and disposal == |
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Following the war, ''Agawam''. operated along the [[Atlantic Ocean]] coast between [[Florida]] and the [[Virginia Capes]] for almost two years. She was decommissioned at [[Norfolk, Virginia]], on 31 March 1867. The ship was sold at auction there on 10 October 1867 to Mr. James Power. No record of her subsequent career has been found. |
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{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a4/agawam-i.htm}} |
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* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-a/agawam.htm USS Agawam (1864-1867)] |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[United States Navy]] |
* [[List of United States Navy ships]] |
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* [[ |
* [[Minesweeper (ship)]] |
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* [[Confederate States Navy]] |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships] |
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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/03111.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Agile (AMc 111) - IX-203] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT: |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agile}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Agile class minesweepers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:World War II minesweepers of the United States]] |
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[[Category:United States Navy |
[[Category:United States Navy minesweepers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Ships built in Washington]] |
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[[Category:Civil War patrol vessels of the United States]] |
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[[Category:United States ships involved in the siege of Fort Fisher N.C.]] |
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Revision as of 22:42, 12 October 2008
| History | |
|---|---|
 US | |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Launched | date unknown |
| Acquired | 10 April 1941 |
| In service | 12 December 1941 |
| Out of service | 14 December 1945 |
| Stricken | 8 January 1946 |
| Fate | consigned to disposal, 14 March 1946 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 215 tons |
| Length | 96 ft 0 in (29.26 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m) |
| Draught | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Speed | 10.0 knots |
| Armament | two .50-cal. machine guns., two .30-cal. machine guns |
USS Agile (AMc-111) was an Agile-class coastal minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
Agile -- a wooden-hulled coastal minesweeper -- was purchased by the Navy from Mr. John Breskovich of Tacoma, Washington, on 10 April 1941 while she was still under construction at the Petersen Shipbuilding Co. in Tacoma, Washington; delivered to the Navy on 26 November 1941; and placed in service on 12 December 1941, Lt. (jg-) John G. Turbitt, USNR, in charge.
World War II service
Agile reported for duty with the 13th Naval District Inshore Patrol on 23 December. Based at the Naval Station, Seattle, Washington, she patrolled the waters of Puget Sound until April of 1942 when she entered the yard for repairs and alterations. Agile completed repairs and returned to duty soon thereafter.
In October 1943, she moved to Kodiak, Alaska, where she resumed patrols under the auspices of the Commander, Northwest Sea Frontier. After 15 April 1944, she was assigned to the newly established Alaskan Sea Frontier.
Agile returned to Seattle on 4 October 1944. She entered the yard at Winslow Marine Railway where her minesweeping gear was removed. On 20 December 1944, she reported to the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, and began duty loading and delivering torpedoes at bases along the coast of Washington.
Redesignated IX-203
On 30 December 1944, she was redesignated IX-203. That duty kept her busy until she was placed out of service on 14 December 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 8 January 1946, and she was turned over to the Maritime Commission for disposal on 14 March 1946.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.