The Old War Horse: USS Benton on Western Waters, 1853-1865 in Bloomington, MN

With a unique prewar history as a snagboat and James B. Eads' noted catamaran salvage vessel, the
Benton
survived a tumultuous government acquisition process and conversion to become flagship of the Union's Civil War Western river navy. From Island No. 10 through the Vicksburg and Red River campaigns, the revolutionary ironclad participated in both combat and administrative activities, earning a prominent place in nautical legend and literature.
This first book-length profile of the warship reveals little known details of both her prewar and wartime career and reviews her final disposal.