USS Hunchback (1852)
Hunchback in commercial service as a New York ferry, 1859, prior to her acquisition by the U.S. Navy
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| History | |
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| Name: | USS Hunchback |
| Laid down: | 1852 |
| Acquired: | by purchase, 16 December 1861 |
| Commissioned: | 3 January 1862 |
| Decommissioned: | 12 June 1865 |
| Fate: | Sold, 12 July 1865 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Gunboat |
| Displacement: | 512 long tons (520 t) |
| Length: | 179 ft (55 m) |
| Beam: | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1 × 40 inch bore, 8-foot stroke vertical beam steam engine; sidewheels |
| Speed: | 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Complement: | 125 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: |
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USS Hunchback was a side-wheel, steam-powered gunboat used by the United States Navy during the American Civil War.
The original wooden boat that was later renamed as the USS Hunchback was built in New York City in 1852 for civilian use as a ferry. On 16 December 1861, with the onset of the Civil War, the United States Navy purchased the boat. Within a month of its purchase, the Navy had converted the ferry into a gunboat and commissioned it for use in the war. The refitted ship was ready for departure in early January 1862 with Acting Lt. Edmund Colhoun in command.
USS Hunchback primarily served in southeastern Virginia, in the area of the James River, and northeastern North Carolina, in the area sounds.
The Hunchback's first assignment was to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which had plans to launch an attack to capture Roanoke Island. After steaming to the Hatteras Inlet in late January where the squadron was staging its amphibious operation, the Hunchback and other ships departed for Fort Barrow. While in subsequent battle, the Hunchback carried her assault at close range towards Fort Barrow and received heavy damage. Despite the ship's battle scars, she played an important role in securing the fort for ground forces and was a key contributor to the successful attack on the Confederate forces. After the successful battle at Fort Barrow, the Hunchback continued to support Army operations by carrying troops up the Chowan River to New Bern, North Carolina, where the Confederate army had a large supply depot. With Hunchback providing the heavy artillery for the assault, the Union forces captured New Bern and the Confederate depot.
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