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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 Switzerland (1862-1865)

Switzerland, a 413-ton side-wheel towboat built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854, was converted to a ram in March-May 1862 for Colonel Charles Ellet's U.S. Ram Fleet. She played a distant role in the 6 June 1862 naval action off Memphis, Tennessee, and subsequently took part in operations in the Yazoo River and against Vicksburg, Mississippi.

On 25 March 1863, while commanded by Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, Switzerland joined the ram Lancaster in an attempt to pass the Vicksburg fortress. Both ships were heavily hit by Confederate gunfire, with Lancaster being sunk. Despite her damage, Switzerland survived the trip and made a subsequent successful passage of the fortifications at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, on 31 March. She took part in operations on the Red and Atchafalaya rivers in May and June 1863. Later in the War, Switzerland was part of the Mississippi Marine Brigade. She was sold in October 1865 and was employed as the merchant steamer Switzerland until about 1870.

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


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 55829

U.S. Ram Switzerland (1862-1863)


Sepia wash drawing by F. Muller, circa 1900, depicting the ship on the Western Rivers during the Civil War.

Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 700 x 630 pixels

 
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

 
Photo #: NH 59103

"The Rams 'Switzerland' and 'Lancaster" Running the Blockade at Vicksburg", 25 March 1863


Line engraving after a sketch by Theodore R. Davis, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1863.
In this operation, Switzerland (depicted here in the foreground) was disabled by gunfire from the Vicksburg batteries, but succeeded in passing the city. Lancaster (in the left center distance) was fatally damaged and sank.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 212KB; 740 x 615 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.

22 March 2000