Hartford (Ship)
Biography
The USS Hartford was a wooden steam sloop-of-war of the United States Navy launched in 1858 and best known for serving as the flagship of Admiral David Farragut during the American Civil War. As a hybrid sailing and steam-powered warship, she represented a transitional era in naval technology, combining traditional masts with screw propulsion for greater maneuverability in combat and blockade operations. During American Civil War, Hartford played a central role in the Union blockade of Confederate ports and achieved lasting fame at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864, where Farragut allegedly issued the command “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” while Hartford led the assault past fortified defenses. After the war, the ship continued in active service for training and diplomatic missions before being placed in reserve and eventually broken up in the early 20th century.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Chester W. Nimitz Personal Writings
The Chester W. Nimitz Personal Writings comprises correspondence from 1893 to 1911, documenting his early life, education at the United States Naval Academy, and early naval service aboard several vessels. The collection also includes notebooks and textbooks from his time at the Naval Academy.