USS Para (1861)

USS "Para" (1861) was a schooner 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 in New York City in 1862

"Para", a wooden schooner, was purchased from James Bishop & Co., New York City, 9 September 1861 and commissioned 4 February 1862, Acting Master Edward J. Furber in command.

Civil War service

Assigned to the Gulf Squadron Blockade

Assigned first to the Gulf Squadron, "Para" participated in the bombardment of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip, 18–24 April 1862. Later transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, she operated along the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for the remainder of the war.

Operations with the South Atlantic Blockade

On 19 June 1863 she captured blockade running schooner "Emma" off Mosquito Inlet, South Carolina. Off Florida on 18 July, she sent men ashore in boats to participate in the attack on New Smyrna, Florida. The Union force captured a sloop loaded with cotton and an unladen schooner, burnt several other vessels, and destroyed all buildings which had been occupied by troops.

Covering troop movements up the St. Mary’s River

Continuing operations off the southeastern seaboard, she escorted troops up the St. Mary’s River to Woodstock, Florida, to obtain lumber, engaged Confederate forces along the river banks to cover the transports as they took on the lumber, captured steamer "Hard Times", then covered the retirement of the transports, 16–23 February 1864.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

"Para" decommissioned at Boston, Massachusetts, 5 August 1865 and was sold at auction to J. C. Osgood, 8 September 1865.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War