USS Ella (1859)

Ella, a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamboat, was built in New York in 1859 by Thomas Collyer for the Stamford Line of Stamford, Connecticut.^[1][2][3] She was 150 feet (46 m) in length, with a beam of 23 feet (7.0 m) and hold depth of 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m).^[4] Ella was powered by a single-cylinder steam engine of unknown type, with a bore of 36 inches (91 cm) and stroke of 8 feet (2.4 m), built by Henry Esler & Co. of New York.^[3]

Ella made her maiden voyage on 5 July 1859. She thereafter operated in daily service between New York City and Stamford, departing the latter at 7 am and clearing New York at 3 pm the same day.^[2]

Ella was purchased at New York City 30 July 1862; outfitted at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 10 August 1862, Acting Master S. C. Gray in command.^[4]

Ella sailed 12 August 1862 for duty with the Potomac Flotilla, and arrived at Fortress Monroe 2 days later. She performed her entire service in Virginia waters as a picket, patrol and dispatch boat, based on the navy yard at Washington, D.C.^[4]

After a useful career, she returned to her base for the last time 30 July 1865. She was decommissioned there 4 August and sold 15 September 1865.^[4]

Redocumented as a merchant steamer on October 19, 1865, Ella's later history is unknown. She was last documented about 1875.^[1]

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.