First Iron-Hulled Warship Sunk?

[AndyHall]

Query from a friend, that I should know but don't -- what was the first iron-hulled warship sunk in combat?
The first iron-clad (i.e., armored) warship? (Cairo?)

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Hm. Perhaps Manassas, although she was really sort of abandoned and left to her fate.

Iron-hulled? That I'd have to research. But Tecumseh's possibly a candidate, at least within the frame of the Civil War.

 

[AndyHall]

For the purposes of this question I would consider Manassas as being sunk, even if not literally sunk.

I'm wondering about the iron-hulled (but un-armored) Hatteras (January 11, 1863).

 

[Mike d]

All metal, Might the dimunitive CSS Hunley be considered?

 

[major bill]

I have read that the U.S.S. Michigan, 1843, was the first U.S. Navy iron-hulled ship. The Confederates tried to capture her in 1864.

 

[Carronade]

May 10, 1862, ironclads Cincinnatti and Mound City were sunk at Plum Point Bend, although both were salvaged and returned to service.

So far I can't think of an iron-hulled ship sunk prior to Hatteras.

 

[ErnieMac]

USS Keokuk - April 8, 1863 in Charleston Harbor?

 

[rebelatsea]

USS Keokuk - April 8, 1863 in Charleston Harbor?

Keokuk was wooden hulled, with composite timber /iron armour. I have a soft spot for her.

 

[Bil R]

Hello Everyone,

I believe the first iron-hulled warship lost was the gunboat R.B. Forbes which was wrecked off Virginia on February 25, 1862. The first ironclad lost due to combat was the Manassas on April 24, 1862. Technically she was run aground and abandoned after being made 'hors d' combat' (an amusing contemporary phrase) but later slid off the bank and sank. I would have to go with Andy with the Hatteras as the first iron-hulled warship sunk by combat on open waters. The first iron-hulled ironclad sunk due to combat would be the Tecumseh. Both the Monitor and Weehawken foundered but not related to battle.

All the best,
Bil

 

[AndyHall]

Thanks!

 

[georgew]

Query from a friend, that I should know but don't -- what was the first iron-hulled warship sunk in combat?
The first iron-clad (i.e., armored) warship? (Cairo?)

There was a Union tug captured in N. Carolina waters (ELLIS?). She became a gunboat in Confederate service, but I can't remember if she was sunk in combat or just scuttled. This would be about 1862. There was also another tug at Charlestown which was stripped of her machinery and turned into a sailing vessel for use as a privateer. Late 1861 time frame. Captured or sunk. I don't have access to my Confederate Privateers reference right now, perhaps someone else could check theirs.

 

[georgew]

Hello Everyone,

I believe the first iron-hulled warship lost was the gunboat R.B. Forbes which was wrecked off Virginia on February 25, 1862. The first ironclad lost due to combat was the Manassas on April 24, 1862. Technically she was run aground and abandoned after being made 'hors d' combat' (an amusing contemporary phrase) but later slid off the bank and sank. I would have to go with Andy with the Hatteras as the first iron-hulled warship sunk by combat on open waters. The first iron-hulled ironclad sunk due to combat would be the Tecumseh. Both the Monitor and Weehawken foundered but not related to battle.

All the best,
Bil

Manassas had a wooden hull. It was her shield that was ironed. Sort of a bizarre thought, but how about the privateer submarine Pioneer? I'm not sure if her letter of marque was actually tendered - but she was scuttled in the canal running to Bayou St. John. Not a combat loss, though. I don't think there was a shipyard in the Confederacy with the capacity to build a vessel with an iron hull. Most of them would have been challenged to repair one.

 

[Bil R]

Manassas had a wooden hull. It was her shield that was ironed. Sort of a bizarre thought, but how about the privateer submarine Pioneer? I'm not sure if her letter of marque was actually tendered - but she was scuttled in the canal running to Bayou St. John. Not a combat loss, though. I don't think there was a shipyard in the Confederacy with the capacity to build a vessel with an iron hull. Most of them would have been challenged to repair one.

Hello George,

I think the vessels you are referring to are the:

Ellis which was the former Fairfield built in Wilmington in 1860; captured by USN and then later run aground and burned to prevent recapture by the CS November 25, 1862

Lady Davis former James Gray, machinery removed for ironclad use and hull found abandoned and hulked in post capture Charleston

Uncle Ben wooden hull tug, machinery removed at Wilmington for ironclad use, became schooner rigged privateer Retribution; later sold off to become schooner merchant Etta

Pioneer scuttled and abandoned at Bayou St. John April 24, 1862 no combat use; good model of this submarine currently on display at the State Museum in Baton Rouge adjacent to the 'Mystery Submarine' or what I call John Roy's submarine

All the best,
Bil

 

[NC Squadron]

Query from a friend, that I should know but don't -- what was the first iron-hulled warship sunk in combat?
The first iron-clad (i.e., armored) warship? (Cairo?)

The CSS Curlew was iron-hulled and was sunk at the battle of Roanoke Island in February of 1861. A large shell crashed through her deck and knocked one of the iron plates out of her 1/4 inch iron hull.

 

[georgew]

Query from a friend, that I should know but don't -- what was the first iron-hulled warship sunk in combat?
The first iron-clad (i.e., armored) warship? (Cairo?)

Hi Andy. Manassas did not have a metal hull, so I don't think she qualifies.

 

[AndyHall]

Hi Andy. Manassas did not have a metal hull, so I don't think she qualifies.

Yes. Curlew (February 1862) seems the best candidate so far mentioned in this thread.