USS Buckthorn (1863)

Career (US)
Ordered: as Signal
Laid down: date unknown
Launched: 1863
Acquired: December 22, 1863
Commissioned: April 7, 1864
Decommissioned: 1868
Struck: 1868 (est.)
Homeport: Pensacola Navy Yard
Fate: sold, September 7, 1869
General characteristics
Displacement:128 tons
Length:87 ft (27 m)
Beam:22 ft (6.7 m)
Depth of hold:7 ft 7 in (2.31 m)
Propulsion:steam engine
screw-propelled
Speed:8.5 knots
Complement:not known
Armament:one 30-pounder gun
two 12-pounder smoothbores

USS Buckthorne (1863) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used as a fleet tender and dispatch vessel in support of the Union Navy blockade along Confederate coastal waters.

Service in the Navy

Buckthorn, was a wooden hull, screw steamer, 87 feet in length and outfitted with one mast. She was built in 1863 at East Haddam, Connecticut, as Signal; purchased by Rear Admiral Gregory for the Navy from George W. Jewett for the sum of $26,500 on December 22, 1863; and commissioned at New York City April 7, 1864, acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. Godfrey in Command.[1] Buckthorn was a strongly built vessel and was well adapted for service as a tug.[1] Buckthorn served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the American Civil War and participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay (August 5, 1864). She acted as a tender for the fleet and was also used as a dispatch vessel throughout her career.[2]

Post-Civil War service

After the Civil War she served at Pensacola Navy Yard until laid up in 1868.[1] After a brief service at Pensacola Buckthorn was sold for $3,000 at Pensacola, Florida, September 7, 1869.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maarsh, 1921 p.48
  2. Wyllie, 2007 p.113

Bibliography

See also