USS Sibyl (1863)

USS "Sibyl" (1863) was a wooden-hull steamer outfitted with heavy guns, purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

"Sibyl" was used by the Union Navy primarily as a dispatch boat in the blockade of ports and waterways of the Confederate States of America. She carried messages (dispatches) between ships and shore; but, with her heavy guns, she was also prepared to act as a gunboat if the need presented itself.

Built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1863

"Sibyl" -- a wooden-hulled, side wheel steamer built at Cincinnati, Ohio, as "Hartford" in 1863 -- was purchased by the Navy at Cincinnati on 27 April 1864; renamed "Sibyl" on 26 May 1864; and commissioned at Mound City, Illinois, on 16 June 1864, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Henry H. Gorringe in command.

Civil War service

"Sibyl" was based at Cairo, Illinois, and used as a dispatch boat for Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter, the commander of the Mississippi 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 on 17 August 1865 to R. J. Trunstoll, and was redocumented as "Comet" on 28 September 1865. After more than a decade of mercantile service, the ship was abandoned in 1876.

References

See also

* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s12/sibyl.htm USS Sibyl]