- USS Honduras (1861)
USS "Honduras" (1861) was a steamer acquired by the
Union Navy during theAmerican Civil War .The Union Navy commissioned her as a
supply ship anddispatch boat who task was to support the Navy ships blockading the Confederate States of America.Built in New York city in 1863
"Honduras", a side wheel steamer, was built in
1861 atNew York City and purchased from her owner, Simeon Ackerman,31 July 1863 . Converted to Navy use, she commissioned atNew York Navy Yard 8 September 1863 , Acting Lieutenant T. Stites in command.Civil War operations
Assigned as support vessel for the East Gulf Blockade
Assigned as a supply boat and dispatch steamer with the
East Gulf Blockading Squadron , "Honduras" sailed forKey West, Florida , soon after commissioning. She carried mail and dispatches, and in addition served on the blockade which so effectively strangled southern commerce and strength.She captured British blockade-runner "Mail" in the
Gulf of Mexico 15 October 1863 , and early the next year supported a joint operation at the mouth of theCaloosahatchie River . "Honduras" carried troops to the mouth of the river and disembarked them4 January 1864 .In addition to her regular dispatch duties, the steamer also participated in the capture of
Tampa, Florida , by joint expedition, 4-7 May 1864 . "Honduras", with "Sunflower" and "James L. Davis", carried General Woodbury and his troops to Tampa, Florida, and provided a naval landing party which joined in the assault. During the successful operation the ships also captured blockade-running sloop "Neptune"6 May .Problems with yellow fever sickness
Continuing to supply the squadron, "Honduras", like many of the ships in that tropical climate, suffered from
yellow fever among the crew during July1864 , and spent much of her time atKey West, Florida .She interrupted her regular itinerary among the stations of the squadron
4 January 1865 to come to the assistance of "San Jacinto", stranded on a reef in theBahamas . "Honduras" helped to salvage ordnance and equippage from the stricken ship.Participating in the St. Marks River expedition
"Honduras" also participated in a joint expedition to the mouth of the
St. Marks River ,Florida ,23 February -7 March 1865 . Gunboats with troops embarked destroyed Confederate installations near the mouth of the river, and effectually blockaded it against illegal commerce.Post-war decommissioning and sale
In July
1865 Honduras was ordered toNew York City , where she decommissioned5 August . The steamer was sold5 September 1865 to W. A. Lightfall and returned to merchant service, finally stranding offKey West, Florida , in1870 .References
See also
*
United States Navy
*American Civil War External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h7/honduras.htm Honduras]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.