USSBainbridge(1842)
 USSBainbridge
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USSBainbridge |
| Namesake | William Bainbridge |
| Operator |  United States Navy |
| Cost | 40790 dollars |
| Launched | April 26, 1842 |
| Commissioned | December 16, 1842 |
| Fate | Capsized, August 21, 1863 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Brig |
| Displacement | 259 long tons (263 t) |
| Length | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Beam | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Draft | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Speed | 11.5kn(13.2 mph; 21.3 km/h) |
| Complement | 100 officers and enlisted |
| Armament | 12 × 32pdr(15kg)carronades |
The firstUSSBainbridgewas abrigin theUnited States Navyduring theAmerican Civil War.She was named forCommodoreWilliam Bainbridge,U.S. Naval Commissioner1824–1827.
Bainbridgewas launched on April 26, 1842, byBoston Navy Yardandcommissionedon December 16, 1842,CommanderZ. F. Johnstonin command.
Sailing fromBostonon January 26, 1843,Bainbridgeserved with theHome Squadronuntil returning toNew Yorkon May 3, 1844. From June 26, 1844 – October 10, 1847, she served with theBrazil Squadron.She laid up for most of the next year, and from 10 April 1848 – 2 July 1850 was with theAfrica Squadron.She departed New York on November 2 and until September 1856 cruised with both the African and Brazil Squadrons. She returned toNorfolkon September 10, 1856.
Laid up atNorfolk Naval Shipyardfrom September 18, 1856 – April 28, 1858, she departedHampton Roads,Virginiaon May 18, 1858, to joinCommodoreWilliam B. Shubrick'sParaguay expeditionfor operations againstParaguayin retaliation for the attack onWater Witchin 1855.Bainbridgearrived atAsunción,Paraguay, in company with the squadron in January 1859 and after the matter had been peacefully settled remained with the Brazil and African Squadrons until departingRio de Janeiroon September 17, 1860. She arrived at Boston on November 9 and was placed out of commission.
Recommissioned on May 1, 1861,Bainbridgesailed for theGulf of Mexicoon 21 May and cruised there until June 1862. While in the area she captured twoschoonersand assisted in the capture of one steamer. On August 3, 1862, she sailed from New York to join theEast Gulf Blockading SquadronatKey West,Florida.
In September 1862, she was ordered toAspinwall,Granadine Confederation,where — from November 22–24 — a severe storm forced her to jettison all spars, sails, gun carriages, howitzers, shot, powder, provisions, and water. After extensive repairs she sailed for New York, arriving in May 1863. On August 21, 1863, while proceeding to her station with theSouth Atlantic Blockading Squadron,she capsized offCape Hatteras,North Carolina,with the loss of all but one of her crew.
References[edit]
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.The entry can be foundhere.
