| The first Idaho was launched as a wooden steam sloop 8
October 1864 by George Steers of New York. Her twin screw machinery was of
a novel design by E. N. Dickerson and was built by Morgan Iron Works. She
was completed in 1866 but upon trials in May was found to be far slower than
the contract speed of 15 knots, having been in commission between 2 April
and 26 May under the command of Captain John L. Worden. A board of Naval
Officers recommended her rejection, but Dickerson appealed to Congress and
obtained a resolution in February 1867 for her purchase by the Navy. She
was subsequently converted to a full-rigged sailing ship at New York and
recommissioned 3 October 1867, Lt. Edward Hooker in command. |
| The converted Idaho was one of the fastest sailing ships
of her day, and sailed 1 November 1867 for Rio de Janeiro. From there she
continued the long voyage to the Far, East, arriving Nagasaki 18 May 1868.
The ship remained there for 15 months as a store and hospital ship for the
Asiatic Squadron. |
| In mid-August 1869 Idaho moved to Yokohama to prepare for
the long voyage back to the United States, and soon afterward, 20 September,
she got underway for San Francisco. Next day, however, she ship was hit by
a raging typhoon. Her masts were carried away and her hull was severely damaged,
but the stout ship stayed afloat and was brought back to Yokohama by her
crew. Little more than a hulk, the gallant Idaho remained in the harbor
until decommissioning 31 December 1873. She was sold in 1874 to the East
Indies Trading Co. |
Displacement, 3,241; Length, 298;' Beam, 44'6";
Draft ,16'; Speed, 15knots; Armament, eight guns |
|
Bibliography
 |
James L. Mooney, Dictionary of American Naval
Fighting Ships, (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office,
1968, Reprint 1977), Vol.3: G-K, p. 415 |
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