USS George Mangham (1854)
Encyclopedia
USS George Mangham (1854) was a schooner
acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat
in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate
waterways.
, 21 September 1861; and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 11 January 1862, Acting Master John Collins, Jr., in command.
, 13 January for duty with Comdr. David Dixon Porter
's Mortar Flotilla, a part of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Sailing via Hampton Roads, Virginia, she arrived Key West, Florida
, 13 February.
From there she sailed 6 March with Porter's ships to the mouth of the Mississippi River
to prepare for the important assault on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which guarded the approaches to New Orleans, Louisiana
. George Mangham and the other mortar boats crossed the bar into the Mississippi River 18 March.
The mortar schooners shelled the forts at rapid fire to support the movement, and George Mangham received a shot through her hull in the engagement. Flag Officer Farragut, having passed the major Confederate defenses on the river below New Orleans, Louisiana
, captured that city 25 April, opening the way for Union naval forces to sweep up the Mississippi River. George Mangham and the rest of the mortar ships remained below the battered forts, which surrendered 28 April.
27 April and spent the next month cruising the Pensacola, Florida
, area. Comdr. Porter again assembled his fleet at Pensacola and sailed 3 June to support the Union movement up the Mississippi; arriving off Vicksburg, Mississippi
, 20 June, she assisted in the passage of the batteries there.
Supported strongly by the mortar bombardment, Farragut steamed past the formidable Confederate works 28 June to join with Commodore Davis further up the river. Subsequently, George Mangham returned downriver, engaging Confederate artillery on the riverbank from time to time. After passing Grand Gulf, Mississippi, she arrived Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, 12 July. From there she proceeded to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she moored 30 July.
on the Potomac River
at Piney Point, Maryland
. The schooner was assigned to the Potomac Flotilla 22 December; and until 10 July 1863, she suppressed blockage runners, capturing four prizes in the lower Potomac. She was then taken to the Washington Navy Yard
and fitted out for cruising in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
were greatly concerned about the attacks of Confederate raiders, and George Mangham was chosen to protect American merchantmen and fishing craft. Leaving Washington 5 August, she cruised off the Magdalen Islands
and Prince Edward Island
; without detecting any Confederate ships, she departed Georgetown, Prince Edward Island
, 5 November for New York Navy Yard.
, George Mangham sailed 9 December to join the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for blockading duty off Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
. While engaged in this work, on 7 January 1864 she moved close to shore and destroyed Dare, a beached blockade runner
driven ashore by larger Union ships. She then steamed to Charleston, South Carolina
, 21 March and continued the vital work of blockading the South Carolina
coast in the vicinity of Cape Romain, St. Helena Sound
, and Bull's Bay during the remainder of the year.
, 5 January 1865, George Mangham was reassigned temporarily to Key West, Florida
, in March.
to D. T. Trendy 27 September.
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
acquired by the Union Navy
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 gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate
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...
waterways.
Commissioned at Philadelphia in 1862
George Mangham was a wooden schooner built in 1854; purchased by the Navy at Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, 21 September 1861; and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 11 January 1862, Acting Master John Collins, Jr., in command.
Assigned to the West Gulf Blockade
George Mangham departed Chester, PennsylvaniaChester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
, 13 January for duty with Comdr. David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G...
's Mortar Flotilla, a part of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Sailing via Hampton Roads, Virginia, she arrived 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...
, 13 February.
From there she sailed 6 March with Porter's ships to the mouth of 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 prepare for the important assault on Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which guarded the approaches 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...
. George Mangham and the other mortar boats crossed the bar into the Mississippi River 18 March.
Bombarding forts at the mouth of the Mississippi
After Farragut's meticulous preparations had been completed, the Mortar Flotilla, including George Mangham, began the bombardment of Fort Jackson 18 April and sustained the fierce cannonade for 5 days. George Mangham was with the second division, anchored on the east bank of the river. As the swift current slackened 24 April, Farragut's fleet steamed boldly through the gap in the obstructions and past the forts through a hail of shell, engaging and capturing a large Confederate flotilla.The mortar schooners shelled the forts at rapid fire to support the movement, and George Mangham received a shot through her hull in the engagement. Flag Officer Farragut, having passed the major Confederate defenses on the river below 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...
, captured that city 25 April, opening the way for Union naval forces to sweep up the Mississippi River. George Mangham and the rest of the mortar ships remained below the battered forts, which surrendered 28 April.
Supporting Farragut on the lower Mississippi
George Mangham, however, departed for FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
27 April and spent the next month cruising the Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, area. Comdr. Porter again assembled his fleet at Pensacola and sailed 3 June to support the Union movement up the Mississippi; arriving off Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
, 20 June, she assisted in the passage of the batteries there.
Supported strongly by the mortar bombardment, Farragut steamed past the formidable Confederate works 28 June to join with Commodore Davis further up the river. Subsequently, George Mangham returned downriver, engaging Confederate artillery on the riverbank from time to time. After passing Grand Gulf, Mississippi, she arrived Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, 12 July. From there she proceeded to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she moored 30 July.
Reassigned to the Potomac River flotilla
Remaining at Hampton Roads until 29 August, George Mangham first proceeded to Baltimore, Maryland, then served as a guard shipGuard ship
A guard ship is a warship stationed at some port or harbour to act as a guard, and in former times in the Royal Navy to receive the men impressed for service...
on the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
at Piney Point, Maryland
Piney Point, Maryland
Piney Point is an unincorporated community in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. It is known for the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, a popular seafood restaurant, beautiful houses along the beach, a lighthouse, and a "Museum." The Piney Point post office also...
. The schooner was assigned to the Potomac Flotilla 22 December; and until 10 July 1863, she suppressed blockage runners, capturing four prizes in the lower Potomac. She was then taken to the 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...
and fitted out for cruising in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Operations in the North Atlantic Ocean
Authorities in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
were greatly concerned about the attacks of Confederate raiders, and George Mangham was chosen to protect American merchantmen and fishing craft. Leaving Washington 5 August, she cruised off the Magdalen Islands
Magdalen Islands
The Magdalen Islands form a small archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence with a land area of . Though closer to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, the islands form part of the Canadian province of Quebec....
and Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
; without detecting any Confederate ships, she departed Georgetown, Prince Edward Island
Georgetown, Prince Edward Island
Georgetown is a Canadian town and the county seat of Kings County, Prince Edward Island. As of 2011, the population was 693.-Geography:Georgetown, Capital of Kings County, sits on an 8 kilometre long peninsula formed by the Cardigan and Brudenell Rivers, Along with Georgetown Harbour...
, 5 November for New York Navy Yard.
Reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockade
After repairs 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...
, George Mangham sailed 9 December to join the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for blockading duty off Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Murrells Inlet is a small fishing village in Horry County, South Carolina, United States that is considered to be the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina". The population was 5,519 at the 2000 census. It was once primarily a fishing village, but has grown substantially in modern time, along with the...
. While engaged in this work, on 7 January 1864 she moved close to shore and destroyed Dare, a beached blockade runner
Blockade runner
A blockade runner is usually a lighter weight ship used for evading a naval blockade of a port or strait, as opposed to confronting the blockaders to break the blockade. Very often blockade running is done in order to transport cargo, for example to bring food or arms to a blockaded city...
driven ashore by larger Union ships. She then steamed to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, 21 March and continued the vital work of blockading the South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
coast in the vicinity of Cape Romain, St. Helena Sound
St. Helena, North Carolina
St. Helena is a village in Pender County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 512 at the 2008 census. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
, and Bull's Bay during the remainder of the year.
Reassigned to Key West, Florida
Returning to 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...
, 5 January 1865, George Mangham was reassigned temporarily to 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...
, in March.
Post-war decommissioning and sale
Subsequently, she returned to the New York Navy Yard 9 August; decommissioned 9 September; and was sold at public auctionPublic auction
A public auction is an auction held on behalf of a government in which the property to be auctioned is either property owned by the government, or property which is sold under the authority of a court of law or a government agency with similar authority....
to D. T. Trendy 27 September.