USS Phlox (1864)

USS "Phlox" (1864) was a steamer commissioned by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She served the Union Navy’s struggle against the Confederate States of America as a gunboat; and, after the war’s end, she served the midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as a training ship.

Steamer constructed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1864

"Phlox", a wooden side wheel steamer built at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1864 as "F. W. Lincoln", was purchased by the Union Navy from McKay & Aldus 2 August 1864; renamed "Phlox" the same day; and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 14 September 1864, Act. Ens. Douglas F. O’Brien in command.

Assigned to the North Atlantic blockade

Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, "Phlox" steamed south late in September and operated in the James River helping maintain communications among the Union ships, supporting General Ulysses S. Grant’s operations against Richmond, Virginia.

Supporting the attack on Fort Fisher

In January 1865 she steamed to Wilmington, North Carolina, to support the joint Army–Navy attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, which doomed Wilmington.

After Fort Fisher fell, "Phlox" returned to the James River where she served through the end of the war.

Post-war service with the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis

"Phlox" decommissioning at the Washington Navy Yard 28 July 1865. Later that year "Phlox" was moved to Annapolis, Maryland, and subsequently served in a non-commissioned status as practice ship for midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy until 1873.

References

See also

* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy
* United States Naval Academy

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p6/phlox.htm USS Phlox]