Description
BOAT DESCRIPTION: SidewheelBOAT TYPE: GunboatFORMERLY: Submarine No. 7FINAL DISPOSITION: Sold to D. Jacobs in November 1865 and scrappedOWNERS: U.S.OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Horace Bixby (pilot, 1862)RIVERS: Mississippi RiverOTHER INFORMATION: Ways - 0580; Originally a wrecking boat named Submarine No. 7 built and owned by James B. Eads of St. Louis. In 1861 she was converted to a U.S. gunboat. She was plated in front with three inches of iron backed by 30 inches of oak; the rest was plated with 5/8 inches of iron. She mounted 16 guns and was the most powerful weapon on the Mississippi although she was very slow. Her nickname was "Old War Horse". She saw a lot of action including the battle of Memphis on June 6, 1862 where she was used as a flagship. On November 29, 1865 she was sold at Mound City, Illinois to D. Jacobs for $3000. She was then scrappedPHOTO DESCRIPTION: Drawing of the Benton underway
Image
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