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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Peosta

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal
Wooden Side-wheel Gunboat (Tinclad #36):
  • Built in 1857 at Cincinnati, OH.
  • Purchased at Dubuque, Iowa, 13 June 1863
  • Fitted out at Cairo, IL. and commissioned USS Peosta, 2 October 1863, LT. Thomas E. Smith in command
  • During the Civil War USS Peosta was assigned to the Naval forces on the Tennessee River
  • Decommissioned, 7 August 1865, at Mound City, IL.
  • Sold, 17 August 1865
  • Final Disposition, dismantled to become a wharf boat and burned at Memphis, 25 December 1870
    Specifications:
    Displacement 233 t.
    Length 151' 2"
    Beam 34' 3"
    Depth 5' 2"
    Draft 6'
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament
    three 30-pdr Parrott rifles
    three 32-pdrs
    two 12-pdr smoothbores
    six 24-pdr howitzers
    Propulsion steam
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Peosta 190k
    Namesake
    Peosta: Native American Mesquaki Chief. He was the chief of the Mesquaki tribe that was located in which is now Dubuque County, Iowa. In 1788, European explorer Julien Dubuque was one of the first white men to settle in the area. After Dubuque received permission to mine lead in the area, he became close friends with Chief Peosta and supposedly married his daughter Potosa. The town of Peosta, Iowa, is named in memory of Chief Peosta. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith) Burial: Julien Dubuque National Historic Site, Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa    		 Tommy Trampp
    Peosta 154k
    Peosta 85k USS Peosta photographed on the Western Rivers, during 1864-65. Note identification number "36" painted on her pilothouse.
    US Navy History and Heritage Command photo # NH 42896.    		 Aryeh Wetherhorn
    USS Peosta
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 13 October 2017