The USS Essex was an ironclad river gunboat that was converted in stages from the steam ferry New Era. Originally constructed at St. Louis in 1856, the ship was purchased by the United States Army in September 1861 for its Western Gunboat Flotilla. The New Era was first modified into a 355-ton “timberclad” gunboat. In late 1861, she received iron armor and was renamed the USS Essex. On February 6, 1862, the Essex was heavily damaged by enemy gunfire during the attack on Fort Henry, Tennessee.
During repairs, Essex’s commanding officer, William D. Porter, spared little expense (most without official authorization) in turning the Essex into one of the most powerful ironclads on the Western Rivers. The Essex returned to service in time to participate in operations against Vicksburg, Mississippi in July 1862, and later attacked and damaged the CSS Arkansas. That August the Essex helped repel a Confederate attack on Baton Rouge, and the following day engaged CSS Arkansas again. This time, the wounded Arkansas drifted ashore and was destroyed by her crew.
Transferred to the Navy in October 1862, the Essex remained active on the rivers for the rest of the Civil War. She participated in the bombardment and capture of Port Hudson, Louisiana in 1863, and in the spring of 1864 took part in the Red River expedition.
The USS Essex was decommissioned in July 1865 and sold to private interests that November. The once proud ship was scrapped in 1870.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31990
