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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the UNITED STATES ARMY --

U.S. Ram Lioness (1862-1865)

Lioness, a 198-ton stern-wheel steamer built at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, was converted to a ram in the spring of 1862 by Colonel Charles Ellet for use on the Western Rivers. She served in a supporting role during the naval battle off Memphis, Tennessee, on 6 June 1862. During the following months, she was involved in expeditions up the Yazoo River as part of the campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi. Lioness operated with the Ellets' Mississippi Marine Brigade in 1863, but was laid up in mid-year. She remained in U.S. Government hands until she was sold in September 1865. Retaining the name Lioness, she saw civilian employment until about 1869.

This page features our only views of the U.S. Ram Lioness.


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 59007

"Colonel Ellet's Ram Fleet on the Mississippi"


Line engraving after a sketch by Alexander Simplot, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862.
Ships in the foreground are: Monarch (letter "M" between stacks), Queen of the West (with letter "Q") and Lioness(letter "L"). In the left background are: Switzerland (with letter "S" on paddlebox), Samson and Lancaster.
Note cotton bales stacked on deck to protect boilers.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 360 pixels

 


The following image depicts a stern-wheel steamer of the Ellet fleet that may be Lioness:

Photo #: NH 59055

"Colonel Ellet's Ram Approaching the City of Memphis, Tennessee, to Demand its Surrender."


Line engraving after a sketch by Alexander Simplot, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862, depicting an incident at the close of the Battle of Memphis on 6 June 1862. The steamer shown may be Mingo or Lioness, the stern-wheel rams of Ellet's fleet.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 


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


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

24 March 2000