USS Dictator was a single-turreted ironclad monitor, designed for speed, and to sail on the open sea.She had a top speed of 10 knots (18.5 km/h; 11.5 mph),[1] and was propelled by two screws and a two-cylinder Ericsson vibrating lever-engine, with a total of 3,500 indicated horsepower (2,600 kW).[4] Originally she was to be called Protector, however she was named Dictator on 1 April 1862, after John Ericsson requested it from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Gustavus Fox.She was in ordinary at New York Navy Yard until 12 January 1874 when she was recommissioned for service on the North Atlantic Station.Dictator was decommissioned at League Island on 1 June 1877 and remained there until sold on 27 September 1883,[1] to A. Purvis & Son, for a cost of $40,250.