Queen of the West, originally built as a commercial steamer at Cincinnati in 1854, was purchased by the Federal government in 1862 and converted into a ram.  She served as Colonel Ellet's flagship during the battle of Memphis in June 1862.  At this battle, Ellet was wounded in the foot - later he died of this wound.  (Ironically, he was the only casualty in the Federal ram fleet.)  In her later career outside of Tennessee, she was captured by the Confederates in February 1863, and was set afire and blown up in April 1863.

Specifications of USS Queen of the West:

Displacement: 406 tons
Length: 180 feet
Beam: 37 feet 6 inches
Draft: 6 feet
Armament: 1 30-pounder; 3 12-pounders

  Federal Warships

Last update:  December 6, 2001