Vessel Name
WILMINGTON, U.S.S.
Also Known As
U.S.S. DOVER, 1941
Build Year
1895
Official Number
AMERICAN
Construction
Build City
Newport News
Build State
VA
Vessel Type
Naval Vessel
Hull Materials
Steel
Builder Name
Newport News Ship Building Co.
Ownership
Original Owner
United States Navy
Power (Sail)
Propulsion Type
Screw
Power (Mechanical)
Engine Type
Quadruple Expansion
Engine Number Cylinders
8
Engine Number Propellers
2
Dimensions
Length
250.9
Beam
40
Depth
9
Tonnage Gross
1,571
Final Disposition
Final Date Month
30
Final Date Day
12
Final Date Year
1946
Final How
Sold for scrap.
History and Notes
History
1895, Oct 19 Launched.
1897, May 13 Commissioned in US Naval service as U.S.S. WILMINGTON, GUNBOAT NO. 8; operated off Cuba in Spanish American War.
1899-1900 South American Squadron.
1901-22 Served in Asian Waters.
1923 Great Lakes Training Ship.
1934 Returned Canada's Parlimentary Mace that was captured by Americans in War of 1812.
1941 Designated 1x-30; renamed U.S.S. DOVER; served saltwater in World War II.
1945, Dec Decommissioned.
1946 Sold for scrap.

MICHIGAN, U.S.S.
Also Known As
WOLVERINE, 1905
Build Year
1843
Official Number
AMERICAN
Subject
Ports
Construction
Build City
Erie
Build State
PA
Vessel Type
Naval Vessel
Number of Decks
1
Hull Materials
Iron
Builder Name
Stackhouse & Tomlinson
Master Carpenter
Samuel Hartt, U.S.N.
Ownership
Original Owner
U.S. Navy
Ownership Notes
Sections prefabricated by Stackhouse & Tomlinson in Pittsburgh, PA & assembled in Erie, PA.
Power (Sail)
Propulsion Type
Sidewheel
Sail Number Masts
3
Power (Mechanical)
Engine Type
Inclined Compound
Engine Number Cylinders
2
Engine Number Boilers
2
Dimensions
Length
165.2
Beam
27
Depth
12
Tonnage Gross
582
Final Disposition
Final Location
Misery Bay, Erie, PA.
Final Date Year
1948
Final How
Scrapped.
Final Notes
1950 Bow & cutwater erected as monument near shipyard where she was built.
History and Notes
History
Built for defense of the Lakes after the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-40 because of armed British ships on the Lakes.
1843, Dec 5 Launched.
1844, Sep 29 Commissioned; armed with two 68" Paixhans cannons & four 32# carronades, but because of the Rush-Bagot British-American disarmament treaty, was reduced to single 18 pounder.
1851, May Assisted in the arrest of James J. Strang, "king" of the Kingdom of God on Earth Mormon Colony, established on Beaver Island, MI, Lake Michigan.
1853, Apr Changed to schooner rig.
1853, May 9 Collision with propeller BUFFALO off Pointe Aux Barques, MI, Lake Michigan.
1853, Jun 2 Repaired.
1853, Aug Repaired, Chicago, IL.
1861 Patrolled Lakes Erie, Huron & Michigan durning first part of the Civil War; Armament increased; 10, 20 & 30# Parrotts; 12, 24# howitzers; one 64# bowgun; 1 stern gun.
1863-64 Guarded Johnson's Island near Sandusky, OH where Confederate prisoners were kept.
1868 Took active part in repressing Fenian invasion of Canada.
1873, Jul Ashore at Light House Point; pulled off, uninjured, by propellor BROOKLYN.
1887, Apr Received new Gatling gun; long pattern.
1887, Aug Only American vessel on the Great Lakes designated by Secretary of the Navy to enlist apprentice boys for the Navy.
1892-93 Reconditioned; 2 new scotch boilers.
1895 Aground Pelee Island, ONT.
1905, Jun 21 Renamed WOLVERINE because new battleship named MICHIGAN was built.
1912, May 6 Decommissioned & turned over to Pennsylvania Naval Militia for reserve training.
1923, Aug 12 Port-side connecting rod fractured on Lake Huron; returned to Erie; Navy vetoed repairs; beached Misery Bay, Erie, PA.
1848 Scrapped.