19th century American screw sloops
The Mohican-class sloop was a series of screw sloops operated by the United States Navy during the American Civil War and last half of the 19th century. The ships were designed as part of a larger push to develop steam-powered ships with a light draft for coastal missions. During the war, the class supported various Union operations, most notably the destruction of two Confederate commerce raiders. In peacetime, the ships protected American interests and were all decommissioned by the 20th century.
Development and design
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By the late 1850s, the United States Navy had begun the transition to steam-propelled warships across its fleet. However, these new vessels were generally large, had deep drafts, and were poorly suited for operations in shallow coastal waters. To address this gap, the Navy initiated the development of a new class of shallow-draft steam vessels in 1857. These ships were intended to feature “light draft, great speed, and heavy guns.” The project received strong support from Southern congressmen, who were concerned about the possibility of the Royal Navy intercepting American ships during the enforcement of the Blockade of Africa against the Atlantic slave trade. In 1858, Congress authorized the construction of eight such vessels. One was built as a paddle steamer, while the remaining seven were ordered as screw sloops. Of these, three had a draft of 10 ft (3.0 m), and the other four had a draft of 13 ft (4.0 m).[1]: 71
Three of the 13 ft (4.0 m)-draft vessels–Mohican, Iroquois, and Wyoming–shared a similar design. In February 1861, Congress authorized an expansion of the class. The design of Iroquois was replicated in Oneida and Wachusett; Tuscarora was based on Wyoming; and Kearsarge was…