American Civil War service USS Congress (1841)



on september 9, 1861, ordered duty under command of capt. louis m. goldsborough in atlantic blockading squadron, later serve under commanding officer w. smith, , executive officer lieutenant joseph b. smith.


congress anchored off newport news, virginia, part of union blockade of port on march 8, 1862, when fell under attack confederate ironclad, css virginia (ex-uss merrimack) , 5 other small ships. serving aboard congress @ time mckean buchanan, brother of commanding officer of virginia, franklin buchanan. after exchanging broadsides virginia, congress slipped moorings , ran aground in shallow water.



congress s magazine explodes


the ironclad , consorts attacked distance , inflicted great damage on ship, killing 120, including commanding officer, joseph b. smith. ablaze in several places , unable bring guns bear on enemy, congress forced strike colors , raise white flag. heavy shore batteries prevented virginia taking possession. instead fired several rounds of hot shot (red-hot cannonballs) , incendiary causing congress burn water s edge, , magazine explode. lt. smith — having been in command @ time — died in action. eventually, during battle, congress sank stern.








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