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Photo # NH 59379:  Tugs William G. Putnam and Satellite being prepared for Navy service, 1861

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Satellite (1861-1863).
Briefly served as CSS Satellite in August 1863

USS Satellite, a 217 ton tug, was built in 1854 at New York City, for commercial use. She was purchased by the Navy in July 1861 for Civil War service and placed in commission in mid-September. Assigned to the Potomac Flotilla, the tug was in action against the Confederates before the end of the month and continued exchanging fire with enemy forces on the Virginia shore for the rest of 1861 and into 1862. In April of that year Satellite briefly operated on the Rappahannock River in support of the Union Army's campaign on the Virginia Peninsula. During that time she helped capture three enemy sailing vessels.

Transferred to the James River area in June 1862, Satellite took part in an attack up the Appomattox River later in the month. Following that she was actively involved in protecting the Army as it continued its struggle on the Peninsula. She went back to the Potomac Flotilla in August. In addition to enforcing the blockade and interdicting communications between Virginia and Maryland, Satellite also served on the Rappahannock as the Union Army of the Potomac fought losing battles at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. From May to August 1863 she took part in the capture of several enemy schooners and other small vessels. On 22-23 August, while on the Rappahannock, USS Satellite was captured by a boat expedition led by Confederate Navy officer John Taylor Wood. Following several days' operations against Union shipping in the area, she was destroyed in late August to prevent capture.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS Satellite.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 59379

USS William G. Putnam
(1861-1865) and
USS Satellite (1861-1863)

Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861, depicting these former civilian tugs being prepared for Naval service at New York City, circa July-September 1861.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 530 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59240

Civil War line engravings from "Frank Leslie's Illustrated", 1861


The upper engraving depicts the U.S. Potomac Flotilla in the Potomac between Freestone Point, Va., and Indian Head, Md., to prevent the passage of Confederates from Virginia to Maryland. Features seen include (from left to right): Tugboat Murray; USS Jacob Bell; Indian Head, Maryland; USS Yankee; USS Penguin; USS Satellite; USS Seminole; Confederate battery at Freestone Point; and the mouth of the Occoquan River.
The lower engraving depicts a scene in Falls Village, Virginia, which was occupied by Federal troops. It shows Taylor's Tavern and the northern extremity of the town.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 400 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 30 September 2004