- USS Massasoit (1863)
USS "Massasoit" (1863) was a steamer purchased by the
Union Navy during theAmerican Civil War .She was used by the Union Navy for anti-raider duty, bombardment duty, dispatch duty, and as a
gunboat stationed off Confederate ports to prevent their trading with foreign countries.Launched in Boston in 1863
"Massasoit" was launched
8 March 1863 by Curtis & Tilden,Boston, Massachusetts ; commissioned8 March 1864 , Lt. Comdr. Edward Barrett in command; but did not leave the Navy Yard before decommissioning31 July 1864 .Civil War service
Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade
Recommissioned
25 August 1864 in the tense days before GeneralWilliam Tecumseh Sherman ’s “march to the sea,” she first patrolled theNew England coast for Confederate raiders.In October "Massasoit" joined Rear Admiral
David Dixon Porter ’sNorth Atlantic Blockading Squadron . After several escort voyages fromNew York City toHampton Roads, Virginia , she served on picket duty on the James River, inVirginia .She took part in the
24 January 1865 duel with Confederate batteries atHowlett’s House , and the following months stood by to prevent any southern rams from reaching the coast.Carrying dispatches for General William Sherman
Ordered
6 April to carry dispatches to General William Tecumseh Sherman inNorth Carolina , she remained on duty in the Sounds of North Carolina in the last days of the Civil War.Final decommissioning and sale
Entering New York Harbor
18 June , "Massasoit" decommissioned27 June 1865 and was sold15 October 1867 .References
See also
*
United States Navy
*American Civil War External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m6/massasoit-i.htm USS Massasoit]
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