USS Nereus (1863)

The first USS "Nereus", a screw steamer built at New York in 1863, was purchased by the Navy from William P. Williams 5 October, 1863; and commissioned at New York Navy Yard 19 April 1864, Comdr. John C. Howell in command.

The schooner-rigged steamer joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron upon arriving Hampton Roads on 28 April, 1864. She was assigned to the critical New Inlet station in the blockade of Wilmington, North Carolina. She continued helping to seal off this important Confederate port until getting underway for the North 17 August.

The "Nereus" arrived in New York two days later for repairs. At this time Confederate cruiser CSS "Tallahassee" was alarming the North by the startling success of her operations against Union merchant shipping. "Nereus" departed New York 3 September 1864, escorting the steamer SS "North Star" to Aspinwall with cargo to be carried overland across the Isthmus of Panama en route to California. She returned to New York on the 26th, for overdue repairs.

Back in top trim, "Nereus" departed New York escorting Dictator to Hampton Roads. From Norfolk she towed the single-turret monitor "Saugus" to Wilmington for the attack on Fort Fisher. Arriving Christmas morning, "Nereus" joined in the bombardment of the Confederate works and supported the abortive amphibious attack until the last Union troops had re-embarked.

"Nereus" remained in North Carolina waters until Rear Admiral Porter launched his successful attack against Fort Fisher on 13 Jan, 1865. In the three day struggle, a classic example of Army—Navy coordination, Union soldiers, sailors, and marines, supported by the deadly effective fire from Porter's warships, overran Wilmington's defenses, closing the vital Confederate seaport.

On 17 January, "Nereus" got underway towing the monitor USS "Mahopac" to Charleston for final operations against the staunchly defended seaport which had witnessed the opening of hostilities almost four years before. Nereus then steamed to Beaufort for stores and coal before heading for the Bahamas and the Caribbean seeking to capture the Confederate Cruiser "Shenandoah" which was still preying on northern merchantmen. She remained in the Caribbean until sailing north 11 April, via Key West. She arrived New York 7 May decommissioned there on 15 May 1865, and was sold at public auction to James Hooper, re-commissioned the "Somerset", 28 September 1865, the steamer remained in merchant service until 1881.

See also

*See USS "Nereus" for other ships of the same name.

References

*"This article contains text from the US Naval Historical Center."
*DANFS

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/n3/nereus-i.htm history.navy.mil: DANFS entry on USS "Nereus"]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-s/somerset.htm history.navy.mil: Photos of the "Somerset" 1864-1867 USS "Nereus" 1864-1865]