USS Weehawken
Monitor · United States · Lost 1863 · The Georgia & South Carolina Coast
A Union monitor that foundered at anchor off Charleston in December 1863 with about thirty of her crew.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS Weehawken was a Passaic class monitor completed in 1862 and sent to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She fought in the attacks on the Charleston defences and in June 1863 forced the surrender of the Confederate ironclad Atlanta. On 6 December 1863, riding at anchor off Morris Island heavily loaded with ammunition, she took water forward and sank within minutes. About thirty men were lost.
Vessel
- 1862
- Not established
- New York
- Iron
- 200 ft
- 46 ft
- Not established
- Steam, single screw
- United States Navy
Loss
- December 6, 1863
- Storm
- Off Morris Island, Charleston harbour approaches, South Carolina
- Atlantic Ocean off Charleston, South Carolina
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- About thirty men were lost; accounts differ slightly on the figure.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- United States Navy property; sunken military craft
Position
- 32.70° N 79.85° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Charleston, South Carolina
Position given for the Morris Island anchorage area; the wreck site is not surveyed in the sources reviewed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (70/100)
The wreck position, depth and present condition are not established in the sources reviewed.
Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Construction, service history, date and circumstances of loss.
