- USS Sibyl (1863)
USS "Sibyl" (1863) was a wooden-hull steamer outfitted with heavy guns, purchased by the
Union Navy during theAmerican Civil War ."Sibyl" was used by the Union Navy primarily as a
dispatch boat in the blockade of ports and waterways of theConfederate States of America . She carried messages (dispatches) between ships and shore; but, with her heavy guns, she was also prepared to act as agunboat if the need presented itself.Built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1863
"Sibyl" -- a wooden-hulled, side wheel steamer built at
Cincinnati, Ohio , as "Hartford" in1863 -- was purchased by the Navy at Cincinnati on27 April 1864 ; renamed "Sibyl" on26 May 1864 ; and commissioned atMound City, Illinois , on16 June 1864 , Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Henry H. Gorringe in command.Civil War service
"Sibyl" was based at
Cairo, Illinois , and used as adispatch boat for Rear AdmiralDavid Dixon Porter , the commander of theMississippi Squadron .Her first cruise began early in July and took her downriver as far as
Natchez, Mississippi , delivering messages to Navy ships en route. She continued this type of service through the end of the Civil War, gathering intelligence of Confederate activity as she steamed up and down the river.Post-war deactivation and subsequent career
She was decommissioned at Mound City on
31 July 1865 , was sold at public auction there on17 August 1865 to R. J. Trunstoll, and was redocumented as "Comet" on28 September 1865 . After more than a decade of mercantile service, the ship was abandoned in1876 .References
See also
*
American Civil War
*Union Navy
*Confederate States Navy External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s12/sibyl.htm USS Sibyl]
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