USS Primrose (1863)

USS "Primrose" (1863), a screw steamer tugboat, armed with a heavy rifled gun and a howitzer capable of dropping a 24 pound ball, was acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

The tug "Primrose", a wooden screw steamer, purchased as "Nellie B. Vaughn" 14 January 1863, at Washington, D.C., was renamed "Primrose"; fitted out at the Washington Navy Yard; and commissioned 26 February 1863, acting Master Street in command.

Assigned to the Potomac Flotilla

Assigned to the Potomac Flotilla for duty in the Potomac River and adjacent waters, "Primrose" participated in operations in the Nansemond River in April and in the Curritoman in May. On 2 June, with USS|Anacostia|1856, she took the sloop "Flying Cloud" at Tapp’s Creek, Virginia, then on the 20th captured the sloop "Richard Vaux" off Blakistone Island in the Potomac River.

Post-war activity and decommissioning

Laid up for repairs in February 1864, "Primose" returned to active duty in April, remaining with the Potomac River forces until 1866. Then assigned to the Washington Navy Yard, she remained active until 1871, when she was placed in ordinary. She was sold at Washington to J. W. Denty, 17 March 1871.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/primrose.htm USS Primrose]