USS Canandaigua (1862)

USS "Canandaigua" (1862) was a heavy (1,395-ton) sloop,with steam engine screw, acquired by the Union Navy during the second year of the American Civil War. After the war, "Canandaigua" was retained and placed in operation in Europe and elsewhere.

With her heavy guns (three of them rifled) and speed of 10 knots, she was an ideal – and successful -- gunboat in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.

Built in Boston in 1862

"Canandaigua", a screw sloop, was launched 28 March 1862 by Boston Navy Yard, and commissioned 1 August 1862, Commander J. F. Green in command.

Civil War service

Assigned to the South Atlantic blockade

"Canandaigua" reported to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Charleston, South Carolina, 26 August 1862, adding to the power to isolate the Confederacy from overseas supplies, one of the Navy's several decisive contributions to Union victory.

Off Charleston on 15 May 1863 "Canandaigua" took the sloop "Secesh"; later she destroyed another blockade runner, and aided in the capture of a schooner and a steamer in the same area. In addition to blockading, "Canandaigua" cooperated with Union Army forces taking part in the long series of attacks on positions in Charleston harbor during 1863 and 1864.

Rescuing Housatonic survivors

On 17 February 1864 she rescued 150 of the crew of "Housatonic" when that ship fell victim to the historic attack of the Confederate submarine "H. L. Hunley".

Post-war European and Gulf of Mexico service

"Canandaigua" sailed for the Boston Navy Yard 26 March 1865, and was decommissioned there 8 April 1865. Recommissioned 22 November 1865, "Canandaigua" cruised on the European Station until February 1869, when she began three years of repairs at New York Navy Yard. She was renamed "Detroit" 15 May 1869, but returned to her original name 10 August 1869. Her last cruise, 1872-1875, was in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico with the North Atlantic Station's detachment there. Out of commission at Norfolk Navy Yard after 8 November 1875, she remained in ordinary until broken up in 1884.

References

See also

* Union Navy
* American Civil War
* Confederate States Navy

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c2/canandaigua-i.htm USS Canandaigua]