USS Paul Jones (1862)

USS Paul Jones was a large 1,210-ton sidewheel, double-ended, steam gunboat of the Union Navy that served during the American Civil War. She carried heavy guns and was assigned to the Union blockade of the waterways of the Confederate States of America.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Paul Jones.
USS Paul Jones painting by W.R. May.
History
Union Navy Jack United States
NameUSS Paul Jones
NamesakeJohn Paul Jones
BuilderJ. J. Abrahams, Baltimore, Maryland
Laid downunknown date
Launched30 January 1862
Commissioned9 June 1862 at Baltimore, Maryland
Decommissioned13 July 1867 at New York City
Stricken13 July 1867
FateSold, 13 July 1867 at New York City
General characteristics
Class and typePaul Jones
Displacement1,210 tons
Length216 ft 10 in (66.09 m)
Beam35 ft 4 in (10.77 m)
Draft8 ft (2.4 m)
Depth of hold11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Propulsionsteam engine, side wheel-propelled
Speed10 knots
Complementnot known
Armament
  • one 100-pounder gun
  • two 11" guns
  • two 50-pounder guns
  • two 24-pounder guns
NotesShip was double ended.

During her tour of duty, she captured blockade runners and bombarded Confederate shore installations. Post-war, she served in the Gulf of Mexico for two years before being decommissioned.

Commissioned at Baltimore, Maryland

Paul Jones – the first U.S. Navy ship to carry that name—was launched 30 January 1862 by J. J. Abrahams, Baltimore, Maryland, and commissioned 9 June 1862 at Baltimore, Maryland, Commander Charles Steedman in command.

Civil War service

Assigned to the South Atlantic blockade

Joining the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Paul Jones sailed down the coast to engage the fort at Jones Point, Ogeechee River, Georgia, 29 July. Continuing south, she helped to silence the fort on St. John's Bluff, St. John's River, Florida, on 17 September, in company with USS Patroon and USS Cimarron.

While patrolling on blockade duty, she assisted in capturing schooner Major E. Willis 19 April 1863 off Charleston, South Carolina, and successfully took sloop Mary, loaded with cotton, off St. Simons Sound, Georgia on 8 July.

Photo of the USS Paul Jones, possibly at the end of the war.

Attack on Fort Wagner

Paul Jones participated in attacks on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor, (18 July – 24 July) and returned to New York City for repairs until she rejoined her squadron 15 September. She continued her coastal operations until late August 1864 when she sailed to Boston, Massachusetts and decommissioned 19 September.

Post-war service and disposition

Paul Jones recommissioned at the Boston Navy Yard 1 April 1865 for further service in the Gulf of Mexico. On 31 March 1866 she was stationed at Mobile, Alabama, and in July 1867 she returned to New York City, decommissioned, and was sold on the 13th.

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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