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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive
Water Witch (I)
Paddlewheel Steamer:
Built 1844-45 at the Washington Navy Yard to serve as a water supply vessel for the Norfolk station
Because of her deep draft she was not used for that purpose as she could not pass through the locks of the Dismal Swamp Canal to obtain fresh water
Consequently, she was fitted as a harbor vessel and tug. However, her unique, but poorly conceived, propulsion system caused her to fail in that mission as well
In order to rid steamers of their vulnerable above-water paddle wheel housings and to increase their broadside weight, LT. W. W. Hunter had devised and patented a system of placing
the wheels inside the hull of the ship at a right angle to the keel making their rotations horizontal rather than vertical. The paddles extended their full length outside of the hull
for maximum contact with the water for propulsive purposes; and, inside the hull, they were encased by a cofferdam which kept the water from entering the ship proper
Unfortunately for LT. Hunter, the wheels lost much of their power pushing water through the encased area inside the hull, forfeiting between 50 and 70 percent of their potential
power.
That fact was recognized before the ship had served a year, so she was condemned and sent to Philadelphia where she had arrived sometime before 21 November 1845
Her modifications there were so extensive that, in spite of the fact that she retained her name, the new creation is regarded as a second, distinct ship.
Specifications:
Displacement unknown.
Length 100'
Beam 21'
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft unknown
Speed 6kts
Complement unknown
Armament unknown
Propulsion
boiler(s)
steam engine(s)
two paddlewheels
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Water Witch (I)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships