SS Dessoug was a 1,367 GRT wooden cargo ship which was built in 1864 for the Khedive of Egypt as Denton.

She was noteworthy for being selected by Henry Honychurch Gorringe for the purpose of transporting the Cleopatra's Needle Obelisk from Egypt to New York City.

She was selected by Henry Honychurch Gorringe for the purpose of transporting the Cleopatra's Needle Obelisk from Egypt to New York City.

Then, he had a 30-foot-long (9.1 m) by 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) hole cut in her starboard bow – and the obelisk would be slid along horizontally right into the ship's interior.

During the voyage her propeller shaft broke and was replaced using a spare while she was under sail power 1,300 miles (2,100 km) from shore.