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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Dragon

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Screw Steamer:

Built, date and location unknown

Launched, date unknown

Purchased for the Navy by George D. Morgan, at New York, 24 December 1861, for $11,000

Fitted out at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N,.Y.

Commission USS Dragon, 20 December 1861, at New York Navy Yard, Acting Master W. Watson in command

USS Dragon departed New York, 20 December 1861, to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Hampton Roads, VA.

Dragon was assigned to the James River Flotilla to attend USS Cumberland and USS Congress to give them aid in case of attack by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack)

On 8 March 1862 Dragon participated in the famous engagement in Hampton Roads, VA., between United States and Confederate naval forces during which Cumberland and Congress were sunk by the ironclad Virginia

When the battle was renewed the following day Dragon endeavored to get USS Minnesota afloat but was halted when a shot from one of Virginia's rifled guns entered her boiler, exploding and causing severe damage

Dragon was sent to Baltimore, MD., for repairs

Returning to Hampton Roads 22 April 1862, Dragon was again assigned to duty with the James River Flotilla and continued to patrol in the James until 29 August 1862 when she was transferred to the Potomac Flotilla

She patrolled the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers helping enforce the blockade between Maryland and Virginia until 25 April 1865

Dragon arrived at Washington Navy Yard the following day, was decommissioned there 13 May 1865

Sold at public auction, 20 July 1865

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 118 t.
Length unknown
Beam 17'
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft 7'6"
Speed unknown
Complement 36

Armament

one 30-pdr Parrott rifle

one 24-pdr smoothbore

Propulsion

steam engine one boiler

one screw

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
0986102501	171k	Artist rendition of USS Dragon underway. National Civil War Naval Museum		John Spivey

Dragon
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 10 June 2022