USS Tecumseh
History
USS Tecumseh, an iron-hulled, single-turret
monitor, was launched 12 September 1863, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Although
slated to strengthen Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's West Gulf Blockading
Squadron for operations against Confederate fortifications guarding Mobile
Bay, Tecumseh served temporarily with the James River service of
the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. To guard Union shipping against
Confederate forces, the Union Army and Navy worked closely together by blocking
the channel to prevent Confederate warships from coming down the upper navigable
reaches of the James. Tecumseh was instrumental during these operations,
sinking four hulks and a schooner. Although Tecumseh was involved
in a number of notable operations along the James River, its most famous
battle would be its last--the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Tecumseh arrived off Mobile Bay on the evening of 4 August 1864.
Shortly after 6 a.m. on 5 August, the 18-ship Union squadron crossed the
bar at flood tide and moved into the bay with Tecumseh leading the
van of monitors, which included USS Manhattan, USS Winnebago,
and USS Chickasaw. The ironclads passed between the fortified headlands
to starboard of the lightly-protected wooden steam frigates, taking the
brunt of Confederate Fort Morgan's heavy guns. Just after 7 a.m., Tecumseh
opened fire on the fort's batteries. Meanwhile, Confederate Admiral Franklin
Buchanan's squadron, centered around the heavy ironclad ram CSS Tennessee,
sortied to meet the attackers. When Tecumseh veered left to engage
the Confederate ram, the Union monitor hit an underwater mine or torpedo.
After a tremendous explosion, Tecumseh heeled over and sank rapidly
with its captain and 92 crewmen. As Tecumseh rolled over, two shells
fired from nearby Fort Morgan struck the sinking monitor.
The Wreck
In February of 1967, the Smithsonian Institution's Tecumseh
Project Team found the wreck capsized and buried in Mobile Bay, just off
Fort Morgan. However, due to insufficient funding, the project was suspended.
In 1974, the Smithsonian returned custody of the wreck to the General Services
Administration. In a 1993 survey, archaeologists from East Carolina University
reported the hull to be covered by a calcareous crust with only nominal
surface deterioration present. A management plan has been written for Tecumseh's
continued protection and preservation. It is planned to implement this program
in 1996.
Last update: 1 October 96