11" x 15" pen and ink with watercolor highlights showing the starboard side of this Civil War screw propelled steamer with patriotic title escutcheon below with U.S. Steamer/Wissahickon/Charleston and signed Alonzo Tappan, mounted in period gold leaf frame, 12.5" x 16.5".
The steamer Wissahickon was built as a gunboat in 1861 at Philadelphia by John Lynn and delivered in Nov. of that year. Commanded by Lt. A.N. Smith and assigned to the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron. Saw their first combat on April 24, 1862, while passing Forts Jackson and St. Philip, June 9, took part in the attack on Confederate works at Grand Gulf, Miss., and on the 28th made the dash past Vicksburg defenses. After an unsuccessful attempt to sink the CSS ram Arkansas, she returned to Philadelphia for repairs and then joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Later action included action against Ft. McAllister, the destruction of the blockade runner Rattlesnake, the destruction of the steamer Georgiana, an attack on Ft. Wagner, bombardment of Ft. Sumter, and an expedition up the Broad River in Georgia in support of Sherman's army. Her last action was during the operation against Savannah.
Condition: Some toning at margins, else VG.