On April 16, under the direction of Admiral David Porter, the Benton led a nighttime charge past the guns of Vicksburg.
Protecting the Ivy from cannon fire, the Benton led a column of ten additional vessels past the heavy artillery batteries.
Passing at a range of 800-yard (730 m) the Benton was hit 5 times, including 1 10-inch (250 mm) round that split her casemate, injuring several crewmen.
on April 29 the Benton led a 7 ironclad fleet in a bombardment of Grand Gulf, MS's gun batteries.
One particularly devastating hit pieced the Benton's armor, causing 25 casualties.
As the battle continued, the speed of the current increased and overwhelmed the Benton's engines and she was swept downstream before the bombardment's conclusion.
In May, Benton returned to Vickburg to continue bombarding the city until its fall in June.
On April 16, under the direction of Admiral David Porter, the Benton led a nighttime charge past the guns of Vicksburg. Protecting the Ivy from cannon fire, the Benton led a column of ten additional vessels past the heavy artillery batteries. Passing at a range of 800-yard (730 m) the Benton was hit 5 times, including 1 10-inch (250 mm) round that split her casemate, injuring several crewmen. on April 29 the Benton led a 7 ironclad fleet in a bombardment of Grand Gulf, MS's gun batteries. One particularly devastating hit pieced the Benton's armor, causing 25 casualties. As the battle continued, the speed of the current increased and overwhelmed the Benton's engines and she was swept downstream before the bombardment's conclusion. In May, Benton returned to Vickburg to continue bombarding the city until its fall in June.
USS Benton