" ...GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS; LET NOTHING BE LOST, TO SHOW THE COMING AGES,  WHAT LIBERTY COSTS..."   ( author unknown )

U S S  Hartford

Secretary of the Navy GIDEON WELLS

Admiral of the Navy
DAVID G. FARRAGUT

The USS HARTFORD was launched on 22 November 1858, and was commissioned on  27 May 1859.
The HARTFORD was a " screw sloop of war". ( designated  scslp )  She was 220' long, 44' wide, with a speed of 13.5 knots.  She carried 42 guns , with a crew of 304, officers and enlisted.
  After her shake-down, she departed for the orient,as flag ship of  the newly appointed  commander of the East India Squadron, with Flag Officer Stibling, on board.  She was to contribute to many successful diplomatic efforts, in the area, while on station.
        When war broke out, she returned home  to be fitted for war time service.  She departed Delaware Cape, as flag ship, on  2 January 1862, with Flag Officer David G. Farragut,("Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead." ) the commander of the newly created West Gulf Blockading Squadron . This covered an area from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. to Galveston, Tx. ( approx. )  Because of the ability to be where she was least expected, the  HARTFORD, earned the nicknameof, "Black Devil of the Bayou".
  The HARTFORD saw battle at, New Orleans, Mobile Bay, and Vicksburg, to name a few.
After the war, she was decommissioned for repairs, then recommissioned, in July, 1865. To be  sent back to the far east, as flag ship of a newly organized  ASIATIC STATION SQUARDRON, until August, 1888. When she returned home and was decommissioned. She was to be recommissioned and then  decommissioned 3 more times.
On 19 October 1945 she was towed to the Norfork Navy Yard, and classified as a relic. The HARTFORD sank at her berth, on 20 November 1958. Major relics of her, are at the National  Navy Memorial Museum, Washington ( D.C.) Navy Yard.

AFRO-AMERICAN
SAILOR (name unknown)

PETTY OFFICER
(Knowles)

This site is dedicated to all those that have shown us , the cost of Liberty, Now and then..

6 MARINES in front of Commandant's Quarters

ATTENTION !! !!!
ALL HANDS....
NOW HEAR THIS...!!!
Date line...Oregon Territories, 1863 .....

         The NAVY DEPT. is looking for persons of good charactor,to fill the complement of sailors and marines,  to man the fighting ship, USS HARTFORD. She is wind over steam, and carries 42 guns on her decks.  She is one of five such, being built.  Sailors and Marines are to man her guns. Battrery training is now in progress, in the " OREGON TERRITORIES."  As soon as the HARTFORD is ready to make way, the new gun crews will be put aboard her decks.

   Sailors and marines, will be trained in the use of cannons, steam engines, pumps, block and tackle, personal and long arms, they were also used in " behind the line" activities. Such as sabotage, and espionage. Because of this training, they will be used for " special" duties, as battery duty, amphibious assaults, guard duty of VIP's, shock troops, and yes, even as cavalry. They will also train to work as a "well oiled team", to work independently of the command.

So, all you seafaring souls, avoid the Armys' conscription now, and join the crew of the screw sloop USS Hartford.

We are a Civil War reenacting unit, located in the greater Seattle - Tacoma - Everett, Washington area.
We are associated with the Wash. Civil War Assoc. 
We have no ethnic, age, or gender barriers, nor is past military duty required. We welcome one, and all to join us in living history.

   We are a  group of people,portraying Union Navy "bluejackets", and Marine "leathernecks", that fought in that war of rebellion, focusing, on the role of the Navy and Marines.
Sailors and Marines of that time, were the only branch of the armed services, that by todays standards, we could call " Professional military". 

          Like our counter-parts of old, we too are trained, in the use  of cannon, long and short arms, ship board routine, and to act as an independent unit.  We carry a wide variety of weapons, including;  muskets, Henery-Winchesters, Smith carbines, Sharps, Spencers, Colt Cattleman carbines, and various personal side arms.

  Our unit, as well as others, follow very strict saftey regulations. This is to protect ourselfs, and others from any injury. Because we use real weapons, and black powder.

            We research the role of the Union Navy and Marines, so that we can not only protray our own unit as best as we can, BUT also to teach the coming ages, what that war was really like.

    Our battles with the "Confederates" are from the middle of March, thru the end of October, approx.  We engage in these "battles" twice a day, and talk to our guests, in between times.

This is a wonderful way to spend a week-end with your family,AND a great way to learn about that period of American history, for yourself. All family members are encouraged get into the act.

Powder monkey - from USS NEW HAMPSHIRE

For more information, please contact:  Yeoman at :

hartford_crew@yahoo.com.

or

Steve Jones
C.O.  USS  HARTFORD
31115  54th Ave. NW
Stanwood, WA  98292

Links

Washington Civil War Association

USS Tahoma & CSS Bat

Link exchange

" ON DECK " webzine

Hartford text

The  "Brown Water Navy"

This CIVIL WAR HERITAGE RING site is owned
by
the crew of the
USS HARTFORD

Enlist in the  CIVIL WAR HERITAGE RING!

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