USS Chatham (1836)

USS "Chatham" (1836) was a Confederate side-wheel steamer captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

She was used by the Union Navy as a harbor ship, used to transport military personnel, dispatches, and supplies to and from ships anchored in the harbor.

"Chatham", a blockade runner, captured by the Union Navy

"Chatham", an iron side wheel steamer was built in 1836 by John Laird, Birkenhead, England, for export to Savannah, Georgia, knocked-down. Assembled in Savannah, she was used as a river steamer until the Civil War when she became a blockade runner. Captured by "Huron" while running the blockade on 16 December 1863,

Commissioned and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade

"Chatham" was turned over to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and commissioned on 22 June 1864, Acting Master E. L. Smith in command. Assigned as harbor ship at Port Royal, South Carolina, "Chatham" transported men and supplies in the harbor throughout the remainder of the war, providing essential support to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron as it carried out its decisive mission of cutting the Confederacy off from overseas sources of supply.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

"Chatham" was decommissioned in April 1865 and sold 2 September 1865.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c7/chatham-i.htm USS Chatham]