Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.
NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive
USS Romeo
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Civil War Medal
Sternwheel Gunboat (Tinclad No. 3:
Laid down in 1862 as a wooden sternwheel packet at Brownsville, PA.
Purchased by the US Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio, 31 October 1862, for duty in the Mississippi Squadron
Fitted out at Cairo IL.
Commissioned USS Romeo, 11 December 1862, at Cairo, IL., Acting Ensign Robert B. Smith in command
Romeo joined the Mississippi Squadron the following day preparing for an expedition up the Yazoo River in support of Army operations against Vicksburg
On 23 December the gunboats started up the river, the lighter draft vessels, including Romeo, proceeding first to clear torpedoes (mines) from the water
just below Drumgould's Bluff
From the 26 December 1862 to 3 January 1863, Romeo remained in the Yazoo and its tributaries, patrolling to prevent Rebel activity
By 3 January, heavy rains had prevented the Union assault from taking the city and the gunboats were withdrawn.
From 4 to 11 January, Romeo participated in the successful campaign against Fort Hindman
After rearming and refueling Romeo ascended the White River to lead the ironclads up to Devall's Bluff and Des Arc, Ark. in support Army forces
At the end of April Romeo participated in a feigned attack on Haynes' Bluff to prevent Confederate forces from massing to repel the Army's land attack
at Grand Gulf
From then until the fall of Vicksburg in July, engaged Rebels at various landings to assist in the isolation of the city
Romeo conducted Further operations during the summer and early fall on the White River and up the Little Red River
In October, she shifted to the Tennessee for patrols into December
In February 1864, she resumed operations in the Yazoo area and in May was assigned to patrol between Natchez and Vicksburg
For the remainder of the Civil War Romeo patrolled in that area, and from there to the mouth of the Arkansas River.
In May, Romeo returned to Cairo, thence proceeded to Mound City where she was decommissioned, 30 June 1865
Sold at public auction, 17 August 1865 to Edward Williams
Final Disposition, converted into a sidewheeler, Romeo ran trades at Evansville, IN. until she was off the list in 1870
Specifications:
Displacement 175 t.
Length 154'2"
Beam 31'2"
Draft 4-6'
Depth of Hold 4'
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Armament
six 24-pdr howitzers
Propulsion
steam engines 12’s-4 ft. stroke
Click On Image
For Full Size Image | Size |
Image Description |
Source |
098693201 |
169k |
Steam Packet Romeo preparing to leave Terre Haute, IN. in June 1876. |
|
USS Romeo
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
|
Last Updated 26 November 2021
