USS RED ROVER [1862-1865]

USS RED ROVER

USS RED ROVER' A 625 TON SIDE WHEEL RIVER STEAMER' BUILT FOR COMMERICAL USE AT CAPE GIRARDEAU MISSOURI' IN 1879.. SHE WAS CAPTURED ON APRIL 7TH 1862 AT ISLAND NUMBER TEN BY THE USS MOUND CITY. FOLLOWING REPAIRS SHE WAS PLACED IN SERVICE AS A HOSPITAL SHIP FOR THE U.S. ARMY'S WESTERN GUNBOAT FLOTILLA IN JUNE 1862. SHE WAS THEN PURCHASED BY THE NAVY AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1862.COMMISSIONED AS THE USS RED ROVER IN DEC.1862 SHE WAS USED FOR THE REST OF THE CIVIL WAR AS A HOSPITAL SHIP FOR THE MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON.HER COMPLEMENT INCLUDED SISTERS OF THE HOLY CROSS '' THE FIRST FEMALE NURSES SERVE ON BOARD A NAVY SHIP.. IN ADDITION TO CARING FOR AND TRANSPORTING SICK AND WOUNDED MEN ' SHE PROVIDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO NAVY SHIPS ALONG THE WESTERN RIVERS. RED ROVER WAS STATIONED AT MOUND CITY IL FROM DECEMBER 1864 UNTIL NOVEMBER 1865' WHEN SHE WAS DECOMMISSIONED AND SOLD.

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