USS Dacotah (1859)

USS "Dacotah" (1859) – the only U.S. Navy ship to be so named – was a large (996-ton) steam sloop that served the United States Navy in the Atlantic Ocean as well as in Pacific Ocean. When the American Civil War occurred, "Dacotah" assumed the role of a gunship in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.

When the war was over, "Dacotah" – who was named for the American Dakota tribe --resumed her role protecting American interests worldwide by showing her presence in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Launched at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1859

"Dacotah" was launched 23 March 1859 by Norfolk Navy Yard and commissioned 1 May 1860, Commander W. Radford in command.

Pre-Civil War service

Sailing from Norfolk, Virginia 30 June 1860 "Dacotah" rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at Hong Kong 8 January 1861 to join the East Indian Squadron. She cruised off China until returning to Hong Kong on 14 June. On 6 August she sailed for home and arrived at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, 21 November for two weeks of patrolling before arriving at New York City] 20 December.

Civil War service

Virginia operations

Out of commission from 31 December 1861 to 25 February 1862, "Dacotah" sailed on 9 March to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She served in the waters around Hampton Roads, Virginia from 13 March to 14 September except for a cruise to New Orleans, Louisiana in May and June to carry messages to Flag Officer David G. Farragut.

From 19 July she was assigned to the James River Flotilla. She had several skirmishes with the Confederates including those in which a company of her sailors and marines, destroyed a Confederate battery of eleven guns at Harden's Bluff, Virginia, on 2 July, and one of fifteen guns at Day's Point, Virginia, the next day.

Searching for CSS "Alabama"

Ordered to Nassau, Bahamas, 4 September 1862 to search for the Confederate privateers "Alabama" and "Florida", she patrolled off the Bahamas until 1 November when she was sent to search further northward to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

She joined the blockading forces off Wilmington, North Carolina, on 8 December and served there until 11 June 1863 when she stood out for Baltimore, Maryland, and repairs to her boilers.

Returning to the blockade 15 September she was ordered into quarantine at New York City the next month when several cases of smallpox were discovered on board. During a repair period at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, she participated in the search for the captured steamer "Chesapeake", turned raider, from 13 to 23 December.

Assigned to the North Atlantic blockade

"Dacotah" departed Portsmouth 28 January 1864 to rejoin the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Beaufort, North Carolina, serving there until 2 August when she sailed for Boston Navy Yard and overhaul. Out of commission from 19 August 1864 to 29 May 1865 she cruised in the West Indies from 13 June 1865 until her arrival at Philadelphia Navy Yard 31 August.

Post-Civil War service

"Dacotah" put to sea from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 27 January 1866 for a voyage to the Pacific, calling at Funchal, Maderia, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and, after passing through the Straits of Magellan, at Valparaíso.

Following duty off the coasts of South and Central America, Mexico, and California until 26 July 1869, "Dacotah" remained in an inactive status until sold 30 May 1873 at Mare Island Navy Yard.

ource

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d1/dacotah.htm

See also

* American Civil War
* Union Navy
* Confederate States Navy