USS Charles Phelps (1848)
Encyclopedia
USS Charles Phelps (1848) was a ship acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was used by the Navy as an auxiliary support vessel, delivering coal to Union steamers blockading Confederate ports.
Charles Phelps was built in 1848 at New London, Connecticut
, as a whaler; purchased at New Bedford, Massachusetts
, 24 June 1861; and commissioned later in the year, Acting Master W. F. North in command.
Her support of the Squadron's steamers was as critical a contribution to their mission of cutting the Confederacy
off from overseas supply as a modern-day oiler's logistic support is to the operations of the fleet.
25 October 1865.
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. She was used by the Navy as an auxiliary support vessel, delivering coal to Union steamers blockading Confederate ports.
Charles Phelps was built in 1848 at New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, as a whaler; purchased at New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
, 24 June 1861; and commissioned later in the year, Acting Master W. F. North in command.
Supporting the steamships of the North Atlantic Blockade
Assigned as a coal supply ship for the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Charles Phelps served in Hampton Roads, Virginia, throughout the Civil War.Her support of the Squadron's steamers was as critical a contribution to their mission of cutting the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
off from overseas supply as a modern-day oiler's logistic support is to the operations of the fleet.
Post-war decommissioning and sale
Charles Phelps was sold at New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
25 October 1865.