USS Peterhoff (1863)

USS "Peterhoff" (1863) was a British blockade runner captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She served the Union Navy’s struggle against the Confederate States of America as a patrol gunship.

Blockade runner "Peterhoff" captured by USS "Vanderbilt"

Union side wheel steamer "Vanderbilt" seized blockade-running British steamer "Peterhoff" off St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 25 February 1863. The prize was subsequently condemned by the New York City prize court and purchased by the Union Navy.

Commissioned after dispute of legality of seizure

An international dispute over the legality of the seizure delayed her active service for almost a year. She commissioned in February 1864, Act. Vol. Lt. Thomas Pickering in command.

Assigned to the North Atlantic blockade, but collides and sinks

"Peterhoff" was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on the 20th. The steamer departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, on the 28th for Wilmington, North Carolina.

Stationed off New Inlet, North Carolina, "Peterhoff" collided with "Monticello" 6 March 1864 and sank. The next day "Mount Vernon" destroyed "Peterhoff’s" hulk to prevent possible salvage by the Confederates.

References

See also

* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p5/peterhoff.htm USS Peterhoff]