Today in History:

Prince (1861-1862)

Prince, a 223-ton side-wheel river steamer, was built in 1859 at Cincinnati, Ohio. During the Civil War, the Confederates employed her as a transport on the Western Rivers. She participated actively in the Battle of Belmont, Missouri, on 7 November 1861. CSS Prince was sunk at Island Number Ten in April 1862 to keep her from being captured by Federal forces.

This page features our only view of CSS Prince.

Photo #: NH 59024

"View of Steamers Sunk by the Rebels Between Island Number Ten and New Madrid"


Line engraving, based on a sketch by Alexander Simplot, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862, depicting ships sunk by the Confederates off their fortifications at Island Number 10, circa 7 April 1862.
As identified on the engraving, the ships are (from left to right): Champion, Yazoo, Grampus, John Simonds, Red Rover, Prince, Admiral, Ohio Belle, De Soto, Kanawha Valley, Winchester and Mars. Most of these vessels, some of which were not sunk, were later employed by the Union forces.