Remember When…USS Nipsic

Courtesy of Puget Sound Navy Museum

Shown here is USS Nipsic serving as a floating barracks at the Puget Sound Navy Yard on October 5, 1897. Just six years after the shipyard’s founding, the barracks ship was needed to provide housing for those at the shipyard.

USS Nipsic began her career as a Civil War gunboat. Rebuilt in 1890, she arrived at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in 1892. Here, she served as a receiving ship, prison ship, and barracks, until she was sold in 1913.

A skylight from USS Nipsic survives and is on display in our first floor gallery.

This photo is now in the collection of our parent command, the Naval History & Heritage Command.