Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

USS Maria Denning (1858)

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Acquired
  
1861

Out of service
  
December 1862

Launched
  
1858

Displacement
  
789,300 kg

In service
  
1861

Struck
  
1862 (est.)

Weight
  
884 tons

USS Maria Denning (1858) httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Fate
  
Transferred to the Union Army in December 1862

Propulsion
  
Steam engine side wheel-propelled

USS Maria Denning (1858) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy for various tasks, including carrying supplies, prisoners of war, and acting as a receiving ship for newly enlisted sailors or for sailors whose ship was sunk.

Contents

Sidewheel steamer Maria Denning, built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1858, was purchased by the Navy in 1861 for service as a transport, Comdr. Benjamin H. Dove in command.

A diversified role for an auxiliary ship

Destined to carry provisions and stores, Maria Denning arrived at Cairo, Illinois, from St. Louis, Missouri, 26 November 1861, having dispersed two to four hundred Confederate cavalry at Price’s Landing en route. She was used as receiving ship at Cairo from 3 November 1861 to 1 April 1862, and protected Fort Holt from night attack by Confederate gunboats early in December 1861.

In November 1862, Maria Denning took prisoners on board at Helena, Arkansas, before departing for Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Transferred to the Union Army as a transport vessel

She was transferred to the Union Army in December 1862 and served as an Army transport 15 December 1862 to 6 April 1863.

References

USS Maria Denning (1858) Wikipedia