USS Champion (1859)

USS Champion was a small gunboat originally built as the commercial vessel Champion No. 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1859. She was purchased for the Union Navy in 1863 during the American Civil War, serving until July 1865, when she was sold back to civilian service.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Champion.
USS Champion
History
United States
NameUSS Champion
Launched1859
Acquired14 March 1863
Commissioned26 April 1863
Decommissioned1 July 1865
FateSold, 29 November 1865
General characteristics
TypeGunboat
Displacement115 long tons (117 t)
Length145 ft 8 in (44.40 m)
Beam26 ft 5 in (8.05 m)
Draft3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
Propulsion
Speed4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph)
Armament
  • 2 × 30-pounder guns
  • 1 × 24-pounder gun
  • 1 × 12-pounder gun

Service history

Champion, an armed river steamer, was built in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1859 as Champion No. 4; purchased there on 14 March 1863; fitted out at Cairo, Illinois; and commissioned on 26 April 1863, Acting Master Alfred Phelps, Jr., in command. Operating almost continuously from 27 April 1863 – 9 June 1865, Champion patrolled the Mississippi River, Tennessee River, and the Red River. She transported troops, prisoners, supplies, and cotton; towed and convoyed ships; and delivered dispatches. Her yeoman service ended at Mound City, Illinois, where she was decommissioned on 1 July. Champion was sold 29 November 1865.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

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