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USS Iroquois (1859-1910)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Iroquois (1859-1910)

USS Iroquois (1859-1910), a steam sloop of war, was launched by the New York Navy Yard 12 April 1859 and commissioned 24 November 1859, Comdr. J. S. Palmer in command.

USS Iroquois (1859-1910) got underway from New York 19 January 1860 for duty in the Mediterranean. Her service came at a time of political unrest in Europe, with the movement for Italian unification in its beginning stages. USS Iroquois (1859-1910) sailed for Palermo, Sicily, to protect American lives and property as Garibaldi began his campaign to drive French troops from the island. The Italian patriot came on board USS Iroquois (1859-1910) 20 June 1860 and conferred with Comdr. Palmer.

The ship operated in the Mediterranean into 1861, but the impending Civil War brought greater demands on the Navy and she was recalled. Arriving 15 June 1861 at New York, she was immediately sent to the Caribbean to search out and destroy southern commerce raiders. USS Iroquois (1859-1910) was sent later in 1862 to join Flag Officer Farragut at the mouth of the Mississippi, in preparation for his attack on New Orleans. Arriving off Ship Island 28 March, USS Iroquois (1859-1910) moved to a position below Forts Jackson and St. Philip, guarding New Orleans, 16 April. Comdr. D. D. Porter's mortar boats then began a devastating bombardment, and by 24 April the ships were ready to attack.

USS Iroquois (1859-1910) remained in the Vicksburg area until late July, helping in the bombardments and preparations for expeditions into the surrounding marshlands. In early September she again entered the Gulf of Mexico to take part in the strangling blockade of Southern commerce, but boiler trouble sent her north 21 September. She arrived New York 2 October and decommissioned 6 October 1862 for repairs. USS Iroquois (1859-1910) recommissioned 8 January 1863, Comdr. Henry Roland in command, and got underway later that month to convoy monitor USS Weehawken to Newport News.

With the war over, she sailed in July for the United States, arriving New York 1 October 1865. She decommissioned there 6 October 1865. Upon recommissioning 7 January 1867, Comdr. Earl English in command, the veteran ship sailed 3 February for duty with the Asiatic Squadron. USS Iroquois (1859-1910) took part in naval action in Panama in the spring of 1885, helping to land Marines to protect American commerce during the revolution. After 10 years of service on the Pacific Station, USS Iroquois (1859-1910) arrived Mare Island 24 April 1892 and decommissioned there 12 May 1892. The ship was transferred to the Marine Hospital Service and served until she recommissioned 13 December 1898, Lt. Charles Pond in command. She cruised in the Pacific for 6 months before decommissioning at Honolulu 30 June 1899. USS Iroquois (1859-1910) was then transferred again to the Marine Hospital Service. Her name was changed to lonie 30 November 1904.

For a complete history of USS Iroquois (1859-1910) please see its DANFS page.