The twin-turreted monitor U.S.S. Onondaga served on the James River during a critical part of the Civil War and--along with Union shore batteries--thwarted a major, last-ditch attack by the Confederate Navy's James River Squadron in early 1865.
Early in January, much of the Union strength was withdrawn from the James as Rear Admiral David D. Porter assembled his powerful fleet for the forthcoming attack on Fort Fisher, which protected Wilmington, NC. Onondaga was the only monitor left to guard Union forces on and along the James against Flag Officer John K. Mitchell’s Confederate James River Squadron. When the Southern force steamed down river to attack the weakened Union forces there afloat, the monitor dropped downstream to a position affording her greater maneuverability. She and her supporting gunboats awaited the Southern attack only to have the Confederate thrust blunted when Mitchell’s ironclads Virginia II and Richmond, gunboat Drewry, and torpedo boat Scorpion all ran aground trying to pass obstructions at Trent's Reach. After attacks by Northern shore batteries and Onondaga, Drewry exploded, Scorpion was abandoned, and the two Southern ironclads withdrew upriver when they were refloated the next day.[1]
These photos are from
The National Archives and show the Onondaga in service on the James River.
The Onondaga's officers and their pets.
Guard duty on the James River. Note how narrow the river is here.
These pictures really show how confined the gunboat war was in the James River above City Point.
The twin-turreted monitor U.S.S. Onondaga served on the James River during a critical part of the Civil War and--along with Union shore batteries--thwarted a major, last-ditch attack by the Confederate Navy's James River Squadron in early 1865.
The Onondaga's officers and their pets.
Guard duty on the James River. Note how narrow the river is here. 
These pictures really show how confined the gunboat war was in the James River above City Point.
