USS Daylight (1859)
Encyclopedia
The USS Daylight was a steam operated vessel acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy
to prevent the South from trading with other countries.
Daylight a screw steamer
, was built in 1859 by Samuel Sneden of New York City
; chartered by the Navy 10 May 1861; purchased 12 October 1861; outfitted at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 7 June 1861, Commander S. Lockwood in command.
and along the Atlantic coast as far south as Wilmington, North Carolina
, where she assisted in the establishment of the blockade. She served as guard and picket ship and captured four vessels carrying contraband, recapturing one which attempted to escape, before arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, 3 December for repairs.
, cruising off the Virginia coast until 16 April when she sailed for Beaufort, North Carolina
. She joined in the bombardment and capture of Fort Macon, North Carolina
, on 25 and 26 April, receiving a damaging shot in her hull. She continued her duty, attacking Fort Fisher
4 November 1862. During this attack she lost her second cutter and its crew. When she sailed for Baltimore and repairs on 30 April 1863, she had captured eight vessels.
Repairs completed, Daylight sailed from Hampton Roads
7 September 1863 to serve with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 13 October 1864. Two days later she arrived at Fort Monroe
and on the 22d stood up the James River
for guard and picket duty which continued until 6 May 1865. On 7 May she put into Norfolk, Virginia
, and 5 days later got underway for New York Navy Yard.
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 to patrol navigable waterways of 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...
to prevent the South from trading with other countries.
Daylight a screw steamer
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
, was built in 1859 by Samuel Sneden of New York City
New 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...
; chartered by the Navy 10 May 1861; purchased 12 October 1861; outfitted at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 7 June 1861, Commander S. Lockwood in command.
Assigned to blockade duty along the Atlantic coast
Daylight put to sea 7 June 1861 for duty in the waters of VirginiaVirginia
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 along the Atlantic coast as far south as Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, where she assisted in the establishment of the blockade. She served as guard and picket ship and captured four vessels carrying contraband, recapturing one which attempted to escape, before arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, 3 December for repairs.
Bombardment and capture of Fort Macon
On 26 January 1862 Daylight departed for Hampton RoadsHampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
, cruising off the Virginia coast until 16 April when she sailed for Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
. She joined in the bombardment and capture of Fort Macon, 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...
, on 25 and 26 April, receiving a damaging shot in her hull. She continued her duty, attacking Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
4 November 1862. During this attack she lost her second cutter and its crew. When she sailed for Baltimore and repairs on 30 April 1863, she had captured eight vessels.
Repairs completed, Daylight sailed from Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
7 September 1863 to serve with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 13 October 1864. Two days later she arrived at Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
and on the 22d stood 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...
for guard and picket duty which continued until 6 May 1865. On 7 May she put into Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and 5 days later got underway for New York Navy Yard.