USS Corwin (1849)

USS "Corwin" (1849) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

U.S. Coast Survey vessel transferred to the Union Navy

"Corwin" was a side wheel gunboat, wooden steamer built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849 for the U.S. Coast Survey, transferred to the U.S. Revenue Service, April 1861. Transferred to the Navy Department for special service, September 1861, under command of Lieutenant Thomas S. Phelps.

Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade

The 330-ton vessel was armed with two medium 32-pounders and two 12-pounder guns. She surveyed the coast of North Carolina. On 1 April 1862 she joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for duty in Hampton Roads and adjacent waters. On 13 July 1862 she was detached and ordered to the Potomac River for survey work.

"Corwin" repulsed "CSS Curlew" in Hatteras Inlet 14 November 1861; and rendered effective assistance to the steamer "Quinnebaug" aground off Beaufort, North Carolina, 22 July 1865.

Post-war return of the vessel to the Coast Survey

She was returned to the U.S. Coast Survey, U.S. Treasury Department, after the war.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c14/corwin-i.htm USS Corwin]