USS Circassian (1862)
Encyclopedia
USS Circassian (1862) was a large steamer captured by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
.
She was used by the Union Navy as a supply ship for ships on the blockade of the ports and waterways of the Confederate States of America
.
; purchased from the prize court
at Key West, Florida
, 8 November 1862; outfitted at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 12 December 1862, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. B. Eaton in command.
or Boston, Massachusetts, delivering supplies to ships and stations along the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico
as far west as Galveston, Texas
, and up the Mississippi River
to New Orleans, Louisiana
. On return trips she carried men due to be discharged, invalids, prisoners of war, cotton and provisions. During this time she also captured two prizes and participated in the search for the Confederate steamer Florida in July 1864.
from her last cruise 11 April 1865, was placed out of commission 26 April 1865 and sold 22 June 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 Union Navy as a supply ship for ships on the blockade of the ports and waterways of the Confederate States of America
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...
.
Circassian captured and placed into Union Navy service
Circassian, an iron screw steamer, was captured 4 May 1862 by SomersetUSS Somerset (1862)
USS Somerset was a wooden-hulled, side-wheel ferryboat built at Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1862, which was purchased by the Navy at Washington, D. C., on 4 March 1862 and was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 3 April 1862, Lt...
; purchased from the prize court
Prize court
A prize court is a court authorized to consider whether or not a ship has been lawfully captured or seized in time of war or under the terms of the seizing ship's letters of marque and reprisal...
at Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, 8 November 1862; outfitted at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 12 December 1862, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. B. Eaton in command.
Assigned to the East and West Gulf Blockades
Circassian served as supply ship for the East and West Gulf Blockading Squadrons. Between 17 December 1862 and 11 April 1865 she completed nine cruises from 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...
or Boston, Massachusetts, delivering supplies to ships and stations along the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
as far west as Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
, and up the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. On return trips she carried men due to be discharged, invalids, prisoners of war, cotton and provisions. During this time she also captured two prizes and participated in the search for the Confederate steamer Florida in July 1864.
End-of-war operations and decommissioning
Circassian arrived at Boston Navy YardBoston Navy Yard
The Boston Navy Yard, originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard and later Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it was officially closed as an active naval installation on July 1, 1974, and the property was...
from her last cruise 11 April 1865, was placed out of commission 26 April 1865 and sold 22 June 1865.