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USS Water Witch (II)

Paddlewheel Steamer:
  • The second Water Witch was a modification of the hull of the first
  • She entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard late in 1845; had her hull lengthened by some 30 feet; and had all her machinery removed and replaced with a new power plant to drive a Loper propeller
  • However, that configuration, after some months of experimentation, also proved unsatisfactory
  • In 1847, she again traded her propulsion plant for an inclined condensing engine driving conventional side-wheels
  • She probably was not finally commissioned until 21 August 1847, LT. George M. Totten in command
  • The war with Mexico took her to blockade duty in the Gulf of Mexico where she arrived late in October 1847
  • At Anton Lizardo, she joined the squadron under COMO. Matthew C. Perry
  • Late in November and early in December, she cruised to reconnoiter the Mexican ports of Alvarado, Coatzacoolcos, Tabasco, Carmen, and Campeche in company with USS Mississippi and USS Scorpion
  • She served with the blockading forces in the Gulf of Mexico through the end of the Mexican War in February 1848
  • Following the war Water Witch served in American waters with the Home Squadron
  • Her much repaired hull prevented her from seeing overseas service, but her career continued until 1851
  • During the spring of that year, she sailed from Norfolk on a coastal voyage but broke down on her first day out and was towed back to port
  • She was placed out of commission on 25 April 1851
  • Her machinery was removed at Washington for use in the third USS Water Witch, and her hull became a target for gunnery practice
    Specifications:
    Displacement 255t.
    Length 131'
    Beam 21'10
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft 7'3"
    Speed 9kts
    Complement 54
    Armament
    one 8" shell gun
    two 32-pdrs
    Propulsion
    two boilers
    one inclined condensing engine (37 1/2" x 6') 180hp
    two sidewheels
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    Water Witch (II)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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    Last Updated 30 December 2022