U.S.S. Algonquin by A. R. Waud
U.S.S. Algonquin, by A. R. Waud. LoC image.
USS Algonquin, a 1173-ton Sassacus class “double-ender” steam gunboat, was built at Brooklyn, New York. Fitted with an engine designed by Edward N. Dickerson and built under his supervision, her completion was delayed by the slow construction of this machinery. Algonquin ran a series of dock trials in the fall of 1865. In February 1866 she took part in a closed-course “race” off New York against USS Winooski. The latter, with the same hull design as Algonquin, had a Navy-designed powerplant, and the contest was intended to demonstrate the value of Dickerson’s machinery concepts. After twenty-nine hours of steaming, the race was called off with Algonquin‘s engine having shown its decisive inferiority on all counts. The ship was subsequently declared “unfit for naval service” and was not commissioned. Algonquin was sold in October 1869 and subsequently had a long career as a civilian vessel.
Via the Naval Historical Center: