USS Penguin (1861)

USS "Penguin" (1861) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Purchased at New York City in 1861

"Penguin" was purchased at New York City 23 May 1861, was commissioned 25 June 1861, Acting Volunteer Lt. Thomas A. Budd in command.

East Coast operations

Assigned originally to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, "Penguin" joined the Potomac Flotilla, 19 August 1861. In October she shifted to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and in November participated in the capture of Fort Walker and Fort Beauregard. Remaining with that squadron she assisted in the taking of Fernandina, Florida, 4 March 1862.

On the 22nd, a boat crew from "Penguin" and Henry Andrew was attacked while reconnoitering Mosquito Inlet. In the ensuing engagement, Acting Lt. Budd and four others were killed.

Gulf of Mexico operations

Later shifted to the Gulf of Mexico, "Penguin" patrolled off the Texas coast. On 8 July 1864 she assisted in the destruction, near Galveston, Texas, of the blockade running steamer "Matagorda" and on 21 January 1865 she forced another, "Granite City", ashore at Velasco, Texas.

Post-Civil War decommissioning

After the Civil War, "Penguin" returned to the U.S. East Coast, decommissioned at Boston, Massachusetts 24 August 1865 and was sold, to Fogg and Co., 8 September 1865.

References

See also

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

External links

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