USS Chattanooga (1864)

USS Chattanooga was constructed during the final years of the American Civil War, but was not commissioned because the war was winding down in the Union’s favor. She was eventually placed into reserve until she was holed by ice in 1871.

Laid down during the Civil War


The first U.S. Navy ship to be so named, was built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a screw steamer, was launched 13 October 1864 by William Cramp and Sons, and completed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Commissioned on 16 May 1866 with Captain J. P. McKinstry in command. The ship was named after the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. After sea trials in August 1866, Chattanooga returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was decommissioned 3 September 1866. She remained inactive there and at League Island, where in December 1871 she was holed and sunk at her dock by floating ice. The hulk was sold in January 1872.