Source: US Navy Historical and Heritage Command.
Decklog of the Ottawa, Volumes 1 and 2, June 9, 1862 – April 30, 1863
Record Group 24: Records of Bureau of Naval Personnel, Logs of Ships and Stations 1801-1946, Logs of US Naval Ships 1801-1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
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Ottawa, St. Johns River: November 1863 – November 1864
Commander of the USS Ottawa – Lieutenant Commander Thomas Holdup Stevens
Vessel Overview –Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o4/ottawa-i.htm
Images –Department of the Navy, Navy Historical Center
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/ottawa.htm
Ottawa –a 90-day Gunboat
http://civilwarnavy150.blogspot.com/2011/07/building-90-day-gunboats.html
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Armament –USS Ottawa
October 7, 1861
1, XI-inch Dahlgren S.B. 1, 20-pdr. Parrott rifle 2, 24-pdrs. May 8, 1863
1, 150-pdr. Parrott rifle 1, 30-pdr. Parrott rifle 2 24-pdr. Howitzers
1, 12-pdr. S.B. August 27, 1864
Add 2, 24-pdr. howitzers to that of May 8, 1863
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Supply List, Gun Boat "Ottawa" Commanded by Lieut. Comd. S. L. Breek
List of "Stores" received by U.S.S. "Oleander" John L. Dennis Acting Master for issue on board U.S.S. Ottawa Jany. 31st, 1864
"Provisions"
90 Bbls Bread
13 "Beef
10 "Pork
40 Boxes Preserved Meat
7 Bbls. Flour
2 "Rice
3 Kegs Dried Apples
12 "Pickles
4 Bbls. Sugar
2 Chests Tea
6 Boxes Coffee
1 Bbl. Butter
1 Box Dried Potatoes
1 ""Vegetables
10 Bbls. Beans
2 "Molasses
2 "Vinegar
"Small Stores"
3 Boxes Tobacco
8 "S. W. Soap
1 Pkg. Razors
1 Box Shaving Brushes
1 "Coarse Combs
4 Mess Kettles
20 Tin Pots
20 "Pans
3 Boxes Pepper
1 "Blacking
"Clothing"
1 Bale Flannel
G. W. Huntington
AA Paymaster
Letters sent by Comdr. Thomas H. Stevens, Oct. 1861 - July 1865, Record Group 45: Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library, Letter Books of U.S. Naval Officers, March 1778 –July 1908, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Letter books of US Naval Officers, Mar. 1778-July 1908 RG 45, Volume 1 of 1, E-603 (54), 1-18, March 7, 1862 - April 15, 1862
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Decklog of the Gun Boat Ottawa, 11/3/1863-11/12/1864, Vol. 3 of 4
This is a collection of notes and citations to provide insight into daily life on the St. Johns River during 1862. Quotation marks are used around entries that are a transcription of the decklog. The remainder are notes.
11/3/63 off Charleston
11/6/63 off Murrel's Inlet
11/20/63 off Charleston
11/22/63 at sea
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11/25/63 off SJR
got pilot from Garibaldi
"9.30 inspected crew at quarters, and shipped Saml Dagger, and Moses White (colored) as 1st Class Bays (Boys?) from Nov. 5th disharged and re-loaded muskets"
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11/26/63
came to anchor in SJR
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11/27/63
went on recon up SHR with Norwich comm. with the shore at Jainer's and Palmer's
12.15 on return communicated with Mr Palmer &Mr Jainers on shore
5.40 anchored at Pilot Town
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11/28/63 Mayport Mills
at 2.50 re'd on board from MM 3 Rebel deserters –Thos M. Peterson, Michael Peterson, and Thos Oliver 3.45 sent them on shore at Pilot Town
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11/29/63
6 to 8 list of men having permission to go up country John Lara (?) SJ Robinson WS West RW Wingate M Peterson Thos Oliver
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11/30/63
rec'd permission to go and see their farms Jno V Hartley JE Funn SW Plummer Carry them across river JS Houston AW Brown SW Houston Sick 5
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12/1/63
noon to 4 "Cupid Wilson, colored pilot, came on board" served out clothing to crew
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12/2/63
4 to 6 Floyd, Roberts, and Wakeman had permission to go fishing 8 to midnight they returned from fishing
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12/3/63 AM
"The Norwich went up to St. Johns Bluff, Joseph copper, wife and three children (Refugees) came on board from Jacksonville, they were sent on shore;JJ Raley was given permision to go up the country to be about six days"
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12/4/63
10 AM Lora and Oliver return from up river
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12/5/63
repairs
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12/6/63
12.30 stood up river to SJB and rec'd a flag of truce
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12/8/63 loaded guns and practice
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12/9/63
8 to midnight Roberts and Wakeman fishing Sick 3
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12/10/63 PM
Playa and Grace fishing
2.30 sent armed boat up the river in charge of an officer
4.30 AW Brown, Wm Houseman (Houston?), John Houseman (Houston?) rec'd permission to go up the river Norwich beached for cleaning copper AM, could get her off PM
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12/11/63
gave Norwich coal
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12/12/63
4 to 6 AM D. Stone, JD Lora, M. Peterson, Wm Peterson, Wm Stone rec'd permission to go to St. Augustine
3.30 following men returned from up river Wm Brown (pilot) Wm &Jos Houston
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12/13/63
Wakeman and Roberts fishing
3.30 A. Hall, Wm Dukes, deserters from Rebel army reported on board
6.30 sent launch up river on Picket duty in charge of Actg Masters Mate FW Turner
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12/15/63
1 PM JNO McDonell (a refugee) cam from up river rationed 32 persons (refugees) from shore
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12/16/63
9.45 held a survey on lot of Tabacco noon to 4 served 6 rations to refugees on shore
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12/17/63
10.35 Joseph Houston and Wm Houston reported on board as returned from up river
5.50 2nd cutter with 6 men up river on Picket duty in charge of Actg MM AW Tripp
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12/18/63
9.50 sent armed boats crew in charge of Actg MM FW Turner to ascertain if the obstructions in Sisters Creek were molested
6.30 sent 2nd cutter with 6 men on Picket duty with Turner
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12/19/63
6.35 2nd cutter up river with 6 men picket duty with AMM AW Tripp
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12/23/63
8.45 F.W. Carruthers, a Rebel deserter, and H. B. Grade, a refugee, came down the river –also Thos. Williams and Jas. Jones deserters from the Rebel Stmr "St. Marys"
noon to 4 Jas. And Wm Houston, Thos. Grace and Jos Playa rec'd permission to go up the river
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12/24/63
1 AM Gilespie Mills came on board
10 AM Turner meets flag of truce, the boat brought Mr. Jainer on board to comm with the Captain, after which we landed him & proceeded down the river
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12/25/63 engineers repairing boilers 6 to 8 J. Besson returned, bringing with him his wife, three children, and four men and a boy (contrabands)
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12/26/63
noon to 4 Lewis Riles (refugee) reported on board Playa/Floyd and Grace fishing
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12/28/63
Floyd and the two Browns go hunting Wm/Mr Roberts permission to go up river
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12/29/63
J McDowell, W Gillen, W Hammon (Houston?), H.A. Roberts/J. Roberts, J. Peterson, R. Wingate, C. Roberts, J. Roberts had permission to go up river
11.00 sent launch up river to place buoys
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12/30/63
McDowell ret'd Fired a shell from the howitzer to scale the gun shell did not explode Wakeman has permission to go up river
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12/31/63
Floyd, Grace and 2 Browns return
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1/2/64
Rbt West, Jas Silcox, Aaron Guthrie, Peter Stone, and Richd Saunders (refugees) reported on board
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1/5/64
McDowell, Wm Hammond, Wm Gillen permission to go up river
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1/7/64
6.30 AM secured the Battery 2 Houstons permission to go up river
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1/8/64
at 3.45 "Geo Anaers" (sp?) a Rebel deserter came down from up river
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1/12/64
Conyer and Jno Roberts had permission to go up river fishing
4 PM 2 "Refugees" came down from "Jacksonville" named Geo and Jas Wilson permission given to Grace and Houston to go fishin
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1/15/64
11 AM sent AMM Turner in launch for wood more fishing PM
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1/16/64
cleaning Jonah, AJ, &C Roberts permission to go up river
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1/18/64
go to Fern. Wharf
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1/20/64
off SJR to SJ light
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1/21/64
10.30 Mr Stephen Herris reported on board
12.45 Mr Geo Hudnell wife and son came down the river and reported on board
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1/22/64
Wm and Jos Houston permission to go up river
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1/23/64
At 6 AM sent dingy in charge of AMM W Turner to Norwich after the pilots, returned at 7 with pilot
4.10 sent 1st cutter ashore at SJB in charge of AMM Turner to communicate with a flag of truce,
4.20 returned and proceeded up river
6.25 communicated with the shore at Mr. Jainers Stmr St. Marys mentioned
6.25 PM communicated with the shore at Mr. Jainers,
7.30 boat returned from shore
9.30 PM came to off King's Pt about three miles above Jacksonville in 2 ½ fathoms water. Hoisted out Launch, and at 9.45 PM Boat Expedition for cutting out Str St. Mary's left the ship armed &officers as following gig in charge of Comdg Off with Surgean &W. Turner. 1st cutter in charge of W. Mitchell. 2nd cutter in charge of W Simon with @nd Am Eng. W. Koehl. Launch in charge of W. Choate with Am Engrs. Prindle of Hines Dingy in charge of W. McCormick.
At 11.20 the boats returned being unable to find the entrance to the Creek.
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1/24/64
8.15 AM Weighed anchor and steamed up the river, on a Reconnoisance.
At 9.10 communicated on shore to W. Reeds'.
At 9.55 am boat returned fromt eh sore, turned around and proceeded down river.
At 11.20 approaching "Jacksonville". All hands to Quarters.
At 11.55 sent a boat on shore to communicate at Palmers'
At 12 M. piped down from Quarters
At 12.15 boat returned from shore and we continued on our way down river.
At 12.30 sent 1st Cutter in charge of Actg. M. M. Turner ashore at "Empire Mills" to communicate with a flag of truce.
At 1.15, boat returned, bringing Jno. Keenan, (refugee) & W. O. Peysall (rebel deserter) also, lot of furniture, provisions &c, property of W. Keenan.
At 1.25 sent 1st &2nd Cutter's ashore.
At 2.15, boats returned, bringing W. Keenan &6 children also, provisions, tools, &c.
At 2.30 turned around and went up river far as W. Palmers'. Sent 1st Cutter with Actg. M. Mate Turner ashore.
As 3.30 boat returned bringing Mrs (sp?) Verris (sp?)/Ferris (sp?), & 2 children, with furniture &c.,
at 3.15 Kept on our course down river
4.15 sent 2nd Cutter, in charge of Actg. M. Mate F.(?) W. Turner, ashore at W. McNally's.
At 4.25 boat returned.
At 5.15 ship grounded in 8 ½ ft. water.
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1/25/64
At 8.30 send 2nd Cutter ashore at St. Johns Bluff, to bring off the following persons with their baggage: Mr Silcot &wife, & 5 children, Mr West, wife & 3 children &Mr. Oliver.
At 9.30 came to anchore…landed the refugees that we brought down with their baggage.
At 3. PM buried the child of Mr Keenan on shore
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2/4/64
6.15 PM Jno H. Hartley &Wm Plumer return from up river
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2/5/64
noon to 4 Mills, Stowe, Elisan, Peterson, Katz return from up river bringing Michael Harlty and a refugee & Jos Wingate a prisoner
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2/6/64
11 AM sent Wm Wall & Franck Chas on shore at Batton Island on picket duty
3.45 sent Wm Percival &Seth B. Naton to relieve picket on Batton Island
8.30 MM trip on shore to place light in lighthouse
9.15 Chas Summer &B Ripley on shore on Batton Island to relieve picket
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2/7/64
3.45 AM Jno Sylvester &Hendrick Jarren ashore to relieve picket
8.45 Wm Dugan &E Williams to relieve picket
0.45 Charles Rollins &Saml Saxton to relieve picket
2.15 Sprague &Hine on shore to take passage to Port Royal
7.30 anchor 1 mile below Jax
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2/8/64
8 to midnight anchored mouth of Trout Creek
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2/9/64
anchored Jax
11.55 gig in charge of Ensign W. H. McCormick, 1st cutter with AMM Turner, 2nd cutter with A. Ensign E. Dimara armed & equipped left the ship to go to "Cedar Creek" after a gun left by the Rebels
3.45 boats returned bringing the gun with ammunition, 25 stand of grape, 7 solid shots, also, 3 rifle muskets
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2/10/64
9.30 stood off W Girts Creek
10.20 The "Mahaska's" (sp?) cutter and our 2nd cutter in charge of Acting Ensign Choate each with crew armed left he ship to go up Cedar Creek to examine the Str St. Marys
3.05 boats return carry 2 barrels spirits turpentine
3.20 moved down river to anchor off Jax
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2/11/64
Flag Ship Mahaska & Oleander
10.20 Water Witch proceeded down river
11 Tug Dandelion came with dispatches for Capt
1.30 a steam tug arrived with brig "Geo Freeman" in tow (?)
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2/19-20/64
off Picolatta
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2/21/64 the Tug got aground ½ mile above "Petlatka"
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3/2/64
off Julington Creek
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3/13/64
9 AM "sent the dingy to bring a boat alongside with 3 refugees. Wood and Seaxen & Mrs. Mursey after examination showed them to pass
10.30 arrive Green Cove Springs
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3/17/64
8 to noon anchored off Picolata
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3/18/64
11 AM saw a scow off Decay's with 4 men &one horse in it. Send and brought it alongside &after examination allowed them to go ashore. Rec'd two refugees (James &Jessie Myers) on board the Stmr Maple Leaf passed down the river
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3/19-5/5/64
Picolati & Palatka
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5/6/64
10 anchored at Black Creek
12.30 sent boat with armed crew with AMM Turner after some boats on the E side of river
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5/14/64 SJR
5.30 AM picket boat returned with a contraband named Nelson
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5/18/64
35th Regiment came up from Picolati (Col Beecher)
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5/20/64
AM expedition to Doctors Lake
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5/22/64 Picolatta
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5/23/64 SJR
mentions Brown's Landing and Duncan's Lake
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6/8/64
dingy to Black Creek
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6/15/64
6 to 8 PM 2nd cutter and dingy to picket off Dunn's Creek & Cedar Creek in charge of Chas Bennett (also 6/16 &6 /18)
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6/29/64
saw boat at Cedar Creek sent 2nd cutter to see what is was
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7/5-6/64
Alice Price & Ottawa's cutter picking up torpedoes
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7/5/64
2.50 PM the Alice Price stops near Cedar Creek and had a boat down at work
5.30 Alice Price reports seeing 3 torpedoes near Cedar Creek, two of which she picked up
6.20 2nd cutter returned bringing the anchor which the the 2 torpedoes were attached to but no more torpedoes
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7/6/64
9 AM Lt. Comdr S. L. Breese went down to "Cedar Creek" on returning brought a "Torpedo" picked up by Actg. Ensg W. H. McCormick containing about 100 lbs powder in a damaged condition
1.20 PM 1st &2nd Cutters returned with a "Torpedo" containing 44 lbs powder, - and 2 anchors.
At 1.45 Army Str "Alice Price" came alongside gave her 2 tons coal.
At 2 PM sent 1st &2nd Cutters in charge of Actg Ensign W. H. McCormick off Drummond Creek to drag for "Torpedoes"
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7/10/64
4 to 8 picket boats returned having dragged for torpedoes since daylight (same 7/11/64-7/17/64, also 8/5-8/15)
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8/18/64 at sea
8/19/64 Port Royal
9/22/64 off Jax
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9/27/64
sent J. Stephens, prisoner at large, to Oleander for passage to Port Royal
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9/22/64
1 bayonet lost at Fleming Island proceed to Jax
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10/12/64 off Mandarin wharf
10/17/64 Trout Creek
11/11/64 Doctors Lake
11/12/64 Fleming Island
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Ottawa, St. Johns River: November 1863 – November 1864
Commander of the USS Ottawa – Lieutenant Commander Thomas Holdup Stevens
Vessel Overview –Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o4/ottawa-i.htm
Images –Department of the Navy, Navy Historical Center
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-o/ottawa.htm
Ottawa –a 90-day Gunboat
http://civilwarnavy150.blogspot.com/2011/07/building-90-day-gunboats.html
Arrival of the Steam Gunboat Ottawa.
Published: September 12, 1862
http://www.nytimes.com/1862/09/12/news/arrival-of-the-steam-gunboat-ottawa.html
NEWS FROM PORT ROYAL;Arrival of the Gunboat Ottawa and the Steamer Augusta Dinsmore.
Published: February 27, 1863
http://www.nytimes.com/1863/02/27/news/port-royal-arrival-gunboat-ottawa-steamer-augusta-dinsmore-no-recent-movement.html
History of the United States Navy
https://books.google.com/books?id=kLBp9rw6AWsC&pg=PA212&lpg=PA212&dq=gunboat+ottawa&source=bl&ots=_X7jbwBmlX&sig=Sj8sKlLfsMjnujUeRYunpgZDMDE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dnL3VOmdD4vlsATPxICoDA&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=gunboat%20ottawa&f=false
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Last updated: April 14, 2015