USS Dumbarton (1861)

USS "Dumbarton" (1861) was a captured steam operated gunboat acquired by the Union Navy from the prize court 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.

Capture of the vessel, conversion to Union Navy use

"Thistle", a side wheel steamer, was captured by "Fort Jackson" 4 June 1864 while running the blockade off the coast of North Carolina; sent to Boston, Massachusetts, for condemnation; purchased from the prize court 20 July 1864; renamed "Dumbarton"; and commissioned 13 August 1864, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant H. Brown in command.

Assigned to search for the raider "CSS Tallahassee"

"Dumbarton's" first assignment was to search for raider "CSS Tallahassee" along the Atlantic coast. She then joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Beaufort, North Carolina, and served on the blockade of Wilmington, North Carolina, until 6 December 1864.

Post-war activity and decommissioning

After being at Norfolk Navy Yard "Dumbarton" served as flagship of Rear Admiral W. Radford in the James River, Virginia, from 17 February to 27 March 1865. She was out of commission at Washington Navy Yard until 11 November 1865 when she was taken to New York Navy Yard and placed in ordinary. She was sold there 15 October 1867.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d6/dumbarton.htm USS Dumbarton]