USS Oriole (1864)

The first USS "Oriole" was a sternwheel river steamship in the United States Navy. She was named after the bird, the oriole. "Oriole" was acquired as the "Florence Miller" from John Swassey & Co. at Cincinnati, Ohio on 7 December 1864; converted to a sternwheel gunboat by Mr. Joseph Brown at Mound City, Ill.; and commissioned as "Oriole" on 22 March 1865, Acting Master Edward Alford in command.

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron on 3 February 1865 while still named "Florence Miller", "Oriole" departed Mound City on 22 March for service in the 5th Naval District under Lt. Comdr. E. Y. McCauley. She performed blockade duties on the Mississippi River from Natchez to Vicksburg, Mississippi, until General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General U.S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia on 9 April. The gunboat was retained in the Mississippi Squadron for towing and patrol duties through July 1865.

On 4 August "Oriole" decommissioned at Mound City and was later sold there to Mr. Thomas Scott on 17 August 1865.

References

ee also

* List of United States Navy ships
* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]