- USS Kate (1864)
USS "Kate" (1864) was a steamer acquired by the
Union Navy during theAmerican Civil War . She was used by the Union Navy as agunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.Constructed in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania
"Kate" was built as "Kate B. Porter" at
Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania , in1864 , and was purchased atCincinnati, Ohio , by the Navy from J. B. Porter & Son,23 December 1864 ; converted into a gunboat and commissioned atMound City, Illinois , Acting Volunteer Lt. W. R. Wells in command.Ordered to patrol the Mississippi River
"Kate's" first duty was patrolling the
Mississippi River from Mound City toMemphis, Tennessee , during the closing days of the Civil War. The tinclad gunboat was ordered downstream28 April 1865 to intercept Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis in his flight toward freedom in exile. After his capture, she returned up the river to assist in the demobilization of the squadron.Post-war battle clean-up
She was sent to the
Tennessee River to clear away the hulks of a number of sunken gunboats and barges. In August she was ordered toJefferson Barracks Reserve to discharge her ordnance and to assist in disarming other vessels.Post-war decommissioning, sale, and civilian career
One of the last vessels in the Mississippi River to remain on naval duty, she decommissioned at Mound City
25 March 1866 and was sold at public auction there 4 days later. The gunboat was redocumented "James J. Trover"12 April 1866 and stranded 300 miles belowFort Benton ,Montana ,21 June 1867 .References
See also
*
United States Navy
*American Civil War External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/k2/kate.htm USS Kate]
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