Return
to Online Library listingReturn
to Online Library listing
USS Wabash, a 4808-ton steam screw frigate, was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Commissioned in August 1856, she initially served as flagship of the Home Squadron, then went to the Mediterranean in 1858-59. During 1861, the Civil War's first year, Wabash blockaded the Confederacy's Atlantic Coast and participated in the captures of Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, and Port Royal, South Carolina. As flagship of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, she was an active force in the Blockade of Charleston, S.C., in 1862-64. Her Civil War service was climaxed by participation in the ultimately successful December 1864 and January 1865 assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Inactivated in February 1865, Wabash recommissioned in 1871 and served for two years as flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron. In 1876, she became the receiving ship at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts. Ultimately housed over to increase internal space, Wabash served in this role until she was sold in November 1912. The following year, she was burned to facilitate salvage of her metal parts.
This page features views related of USS Wabash during her seagoing service period, 1856-1874.
For views of Wabash after 1875, see USS Wabash as a Receiving Ship
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
|
Photo #: NH 85568-KN (Color) USS Wabash (1856-1912) Wash drawing in grey tones by Clary Ray, circa 1900, showing the ship under steam and sail. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 44509-KN (Color) USS Wabash (1856-1912) Color-tinted lithograph by Major & Knapp, after a drawing by M.B. Woolsey, USN, published during the later 1850s. Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 44510 USS Wabash (1856-1912) Photographed from the deck of the monitor USS Weehawken, in Port Royal harbor, South Carolina, 1863. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 46KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 44508 (Color) USS Wabash (1856-1912) Photographed in the Mediterranean, probably at Villefranche, France, circa 1871-73. Courtesy of the Bethlehem Steel Company Archives, Skerritt Collection. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
|
Photo #: NH 44511 USS Wabash (1856-1912) Photograph by E. Decand, Rue Pastorelli and Rue Paradis, Nice, France, circa 1871-73 when Wabash was flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron. Probably taken at Villefranche, France. Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 60KB; 475 x 765 pixels |
 |
For views of Wabash after 1875, see USS Wabash as a Receiving Ship
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.5 November 1998