The U.S. Coast Guard’s lineage traces back to the Revenue Marine, a service that played a pivotal role in the 19th century’s maritime technological revolution. As the world shifted from wood and sail to iron and steam, the Revenue Marine was at the forefront, embracing innovation to maintain its edge. This period saw rapid advancements in naval technology, particularly in the lead-up to the American Civil War. Inventors and engineers turned their attention to naval warfare, developing ironclads, rams, and other cutting-edge vessels. Among these innovations, the E.A. Stevens gunboat stood out as a testament to the Revenue Marine’s commitment to technological progress.
Edwin A. Stevens, the inventor behind the E.A. Stevens, designed a semi-submersible gunboat capable of operating in shallow waters. The vessel’s iron hull featured ballast tanks with patented gum elastic liners, allowing it to submerge up to three feet, minimizing exposure to enemy fire. The gunboat’s innovative design included heavy-duty centrifugal pumps that could fill or empty the ballast tanks in minutes, enabling rapid changes in draft and speed. This versatility made the E.A. Stevens a formidable asset in both offensive and defensive operations.
The E.A. Stevens was equipped with a unique muzzle-loading system for its main gun, allowing the crew to load the weapon below decks in just 25 seconds. This design minimized the crew’s exposure to enemy fire and showcased Stevens’s ingenuity. The gunboat’s propulsion system was another innovation, featuring twin screws that allowed it to revolve full circle within its own length in just two minutes. This maneuverability, combined with a top speed of ten knots, made the E.A. Stevens a versatile vessel capable of dispatch and combat roles.
Despite its advanced technology, the Union Navy declined the E.A. Stevens, deeming it too unconventional. However, the Revenue Cutter Service saw its potential and welcomed the opportunity to operate the steam-powered gunboat. In March 1861, the Treasury Department ordered the E.A. Stevens to head south to Hampton Roads, where it joined the James River Squadron. The gunboat’s first combat operation occurred on April 11, 1862, when it exchanged fire with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia. Although the engagement was inconclusive, it marked the E.A. Stevens’s entry into the Civil War.
Lieutenant David Constable assumed command of the E.A. Stevens on April 29, 1862. Constable was a seasoned officer with a distinguished career, having served as executive officer on the cutter Harriet Lane, which fired the first naval shot of the Civil War. Under Constable’s command, the E.A. Stevens engaged the CSS Virginia again on May 8, 1862. The gunboat, along with the Monitor and other Union warships, shelled Confederate positions near Norfolk, drawing the Virginia out of its anchorage. The Confederate ironclad briefly emerged but declined the fight and returned to its anchorage.
The destruction of the CSS Virginia on May 10, 1862, left the Union Navy free to focus on other strategic objectives. General George McClellan requested that the Navy send warships up the James River to threaten Richmond from the water. Commodore John Rodgers was assigned command of the James River Squadron, which included the E.A. Stevens. The squadron’s first true test under battle conditions came at Drewry’s Bluff, a fortified position overlooking the James River. The Battle of Drewry’s Bluff on May 15, 1862, proved the E.A. Stevens’s mettle in combat.
The E.A. Stevens’s role in the Civil War highlights the Revenue Marine’s commitment to embracing new technologies. The gunboat’s innovative design and advanced features made it a unique asset in the Union’s arsenal. Its success demonstrated the potential of unconventional naval technology and set a precedent for future advancements in maritime warfare. The E.A. Stevens remains a testament to the Revenue Marine’s pioneering spirit and its enduring legacy in the U.S. Coast Guard.