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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS John Hancock (I)

Screw Steamer:

Built in 1850 at Boston Navy Yard, Boston MA.

Launched, 26 October 1850 and placed in service as a steam tug and water tank in that yard

However, she was soon manned by a temporary crew and dispatched to New Bedford, MA, to aid in quelling riots

When order had been restored, she returned to Boston, where she served until summer 1851 when she steamed to Annapolis, MD., for duty as a practice ship at the Naval Academy

At the end of the summer's midshipmen cruises, she sailed to New York, where she commissioned USS John Hancock 6 September 1851, LT. J. W. Livingston, USN in command

On 9 September John Hancock departed New York for Havana, Cuba, to assist in suppressing the last filibustering expedition led by Narciso Lopez

She arrived Havana 29 September, but her duty there terminated 4 days later when extremely stormy weather damaged the vessel causing her to return to Boston via Charleston and New York

Placed in ordinary at the Boston Navy Yard and almost entirely rebuilt. She received a new bow and stern increasing her length to 165'6" and her weight to 382 tons

Relaunched 24 February 1853 and commissioned 19 March 1853, LT. John Rodgers, USN in command.

USS John Hancock stood out of New York Harbor 3 May and joined CDR. Cadwalader Ringgold's Northern Pacific Survey Expedition at Hampton Roads 3 days later

Secretary of the Navy James C. Dobbin visited the ship at Norfolk 2 June, 9 days before the squadron sailed for the Pacific

After stopping at Funchal, Madeira Islands; Porto Praya; and Simonstown, False Bay; the expedition arrived Batavia, Java, 12 December

The next five months were now devoted to surveying the waters surrounding the large islands off the coast of Southeast Asia

Early in May 1854, John Hancock departed for Hong Kong, where she arrived 24 May

The squadron operated from Hong Kong as its base throughout the summer, surveying nearby coast, islands, and rivers

. At this time China was plagued by rebellion and pirates endangering foreigners and threatening their property. The American ships were a source of stability and order protecting American citizens and interests

Serious illness compelled CDR. Ringgold to relinquish command of the expedition leaving LT. Rodgers in charge 11 August

Lt. Henry K. Stevens, USN then took command of John Hancock

She departed Hong Kong 9 September sailing north along the coast of China surveying as she went

She arrived Shanghai 27 November and remained there under repair until 28 January when she resumed surveying operations which took her north along the eastern coast of Asia to the Bering Sea before turning south along the western coast of North America

John Hancock arrived San Francisco, 19 October

After repairs at Mare Island Navy Yard, she stood out of San Francisco Bay 20 March 1856 for Puget Sound to help suppress Indian uprisings which threatened to wipe out white settlements and Army outposts established in the early 1850's

She arrived Seattle 28 March and operated from that port as a base until 4 August when she stood down the sound arriving at San Francisco 17 August

Decommissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard, 23 August, 1856, she remained there in ordinary until sold at auction 17 August 1865

Specifications:

Displacement

1850 - 239 t.

1851-382 t.

Length

1850 - 113'

1851 - 165'6"

Beam 22'
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft 10'6"
Speed 7 kts
Complement 20
Armament one 6-pdr
Propulsion steam

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Source
098696801	210k	SS John Hancock, plan of spares and sails, showing her as enlarged in 1853. Description: Naval-Mail Steamers of The United States, by Charles B. Stuart. US Naval History and Heritage Command Catalog #: NH 73850

John Hancock (I)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 27 May 2022