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USS Commodore Barney (1859)
Encyclopedia
USS Commodore Barney (1859) was a ferryboat acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. Ferryboats were of great value, since, because of their flat bottom and shallow draft, they could navigate streams and shallow waters that other ships could not.
as the ferryboat Ethan Allen; purchased by the Navy on 2 October 1861; and commissioned later in the month.
in October 1861, Commodore Barney was badly damaged during a storm en route and had to put into Baltimore, Maryland for repairs. She joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in January 1862 and cruised along the Virginia
and North Carolina
coasts until June. She took part in the seizure of Roanoke Island
(7-9 February 1862), the Chowan River
reconnaissance
(18-20 February) and the capture of New Bern, North Carolina
, (13-14 March).
From July 1862-March 1864, she operated out of Hampton Roads, Virginia in the rivers of Virginia
. Commodore Barney cooperated with the Union Army
in defending Suffolk, Virginia
from 11 April-4 May 1862 and on the Pamunkey River
expedition from 24-29 June 1863.
From 4-7 August 1863, she took part in the expedition up the James River
during which a torpedo
(mine) exploded under her bow causing damage to her engine. whch also made 20 crewmembers to go overboard and two of whom drowned. She continued the expedition in tow. On 13-14 April 1864, she joined in the James-Nansemond River
s expedition.
sounds she returned to cruise the James and Appomattox River
s until ordered to Washington Navy Yard
on 5 May 1865. She was sold there on 20 July.
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...
. Ferryboats were of great value, since, because of their flat bottom and shallow draft, they could navigate streams and shallow waters that other ships could not.
Built in New York City in 1859
Commodore Barney — an armed, side-wheel ferry — was built in 1859 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...
as the ferryboat Ethan Allen; purchased by the Navy on 2 October 1861; and commissioned later in the month.
Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade
Ordered to take part in the expedition against Port Royal, South CarolinaPort Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
in October 1861, Commodore Barney was badly damaged during a storm en route and had to put into Baltimore, Maryland for repairs. She joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in January 1862 and cruised along the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
coasts until June. She took part in the seizure of Roanoke Island
Roanoke Island
Roanoke Island is an island in Dare County near the coast of North Carolina, United States. It was named after the historical Roanoke Carolina Algonquian people who inhabited the area in the 16th century at the time of English exploration....
(7-9 February 1862), the Chowan River
Chowan River
The Chowan River is a blackwater river formed with the merging of Virginia's Blackwater and Nottoway rivers near the stateline between Virginia and North Carolina. According to the USGS a variant name is Choan River....
reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
(18-20 February) and the capture of New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
, (13-14 March).
Struck by a mine during Virginia operations
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Commodore Barney cooperated with the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in defending Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, United States, and is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,585. Its median household income was $57,546.-History:...
from 11 April-4 May 1862 and on the Pamunkey River
Pamunkey River
The Pamunkey River is a tributary of the York River, about long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. Via the York River it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
expedition from 24-29 June 1863.
From 4-7 August 1863, she took part in the expedition up the James River
James River (Virginia)
The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is long, extending to if one includes the Jackson River, the longer of its two source tributaries. The James River drains a catchment comprising . The watershed includes about 4% open water and an area with a population of 2.5 million...
during which a torpedo
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
(mine) exploded under her bow causing damage to her engine. whch also made 20 crewmembers to go overboard and two of whom drowned. She continued the expedition in tow. On 13-14 April 1864, she joined in the James-Nansemond River
Nansemond River
The Nansemond River is a tributary of the James River in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Nansemond River Bridge crosses the river near its mouth. Both it and the former State Route 125 bridge, demolished in 2008, were once toll bridges. The river begins at the outlet of Lake Meade north of...
s expedition.
End-of-war service and sale
After spending the period from 22 April-27 June in the North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
sounds she returned to cruise the James and Appomattox River
Appomattox River
The Appomattox River is a tributary of the James River, approximately long, in central and eastern Virginia in the United States, named for the Appomattocs Indian tribe who lived along its lower banks in the 17th century...
s until ordered to Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
on 5 May 1865. She was sold there on 20 July.