USS Onward (1852)

History
United States
NameOnward
OwnerReed, Wade & Co, Boston
RouteNew York City-Boston-San Francisco
BuilderJames. O. Curtis, Medford, MA
Launched3 July 1852
AcquiredPurchased by J.O. Ogden, 1857 for $32,000
United States
NameUSS Onward
AcquiredPurchased by George D. Morgan, U.S. Government Agent, 9 September 1861, for $27,000, for service in the Civil War
Commissioned11 January 1862
Decommissioned13 November 1884
FateSold in Peru, 1 Nov 1884, for $1,850.
General characteristics
Class & typeSailing cruiser, 4th class
TypeMedium clipper
Tonnage874
Length159 ft (48 m); 175 ft (53 m) LOA
Beam34 ft 8 in (10.57 m)
Draft20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Depth of hold20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planShip rig, three masts
Speed11 kn (13 mph; 20 km/h)
Complement103
Armament8 × 32-pounder guns, 1 30-pounder Parrott rifle

The first USS Onward was a clipper in the Union Navy.

Onward was launched 3 July 1852 by James O. Curtis at Medford, Massachusetts, for Reed, Wade, and Co., of Boston, Massachusetts, and operated in the merchant service between New York City, Boston, and San Francisco. Purchased by the U.S. Navy at New York City from John Ogden on 9 September 1861, for service in the American Civil War, Onward commissioned at New York Navy Yard on 11 January 1862, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J. Frederick Nickels in command.