The first USS Ossipee was a wooden, screw sloop-of-war in commission in the United States Navy at various times between 1861 and 1889. She served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was named for the Ossipee River of New Hampshire and Maine. The USS Ossipee was present during the Alaska Purchase.

Construction

Ossipees keel was laid down in June 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine; launched 16 November 1861; sponsored by Mrs. McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord Statesman; and commissioned 6 November 1862 Lieutenant Commander Robert Boyd in command. She was powered by a two-cylinder horizontal back-acting steam engine with unknown bore and stroke, driving a single screw propeller. Total cost of the vessel was $383,787.10 ($). Ossipee was one of four sister ships which included , and .

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Citation sources

Further reading

  • The Journal of the U.S.S. Ossipee, 27 October 1866 to 31 December 1867 Alaska's Digital Archives. Includes transfer ceremony of Alaska from Russia to the United States on 18 October 1867.