Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tags
Related Content
Topic
Document Type
  • Ship History
Wars & Conflicts
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials

Prince (side-wheel steamer)

(SwStr: t. 223)

Prince was built in 1859 at Cincinnati, Ohio, and served the Confederates as a troop transport in the Mississippi River area. She participated valiantly in the Battle of Belmont, Mo., on 7 November 1861, as part of the Confederate force under Maj. Gen. L. Polk, CSA. Prince, under Captain Butler, stood firmly and fearlessly at her post amidst heavy Union fire, ready to ferry troops and ammunition back and forth across the Mississippi River in the course of the battle. She Saved the Confederate transport Charm by pulling her free after she had been grounded, and took Brig. Gen. B. F. Cheatham, CSA, across the river from Columbus, Ky., to Belmont, Mo., to rally the Confederate forces for a flanking attack.

Prince was sunk by the Confederates before the battle for Island Number 10 in April 1862 to prevent her from falling into Union hands.