USS Ice Boat (1861)
Encyclopedia
USS Ice Boat (1861) was a vessel borrowed from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, by the Union Navy
when the American Civil War
suddenly broke out. She was placed in service immediately and kept in service until she could be replaced by Union Navy vessels, built or borrowed, and then returned to Philadelphia.
, the same day to protect the landing of troops at Annapolis, Maryland
, to encourage Maryland
's adherence to the Union and to be available for the defense of Washington, D.C.
Ice Boat was ordered to Washington for duty in the Potomac River
21 May arriving two days later. Most of her service was off Aquia Creek
where she labored to stop trade across the Potomac River between Virginia
and Maryland
, occasionally engaging Confederate
batteries on the Virginia shore.
caused Ice Boat's return to Washington to defend the Nation's Capital. A fortnight later the ship was back off Aquia Creek
where she remained until she was returned to her owner late in November 1861.
Philadelphia, 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,...
, 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...
when 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...
suddenly broke out. She was placed in service immediately and kept in service until she could be replaced by Union Navy vessels, built or borrowed, and then returned to Philadelphia.
Temporary assistance to the Union Navy
Ice Boat, also known as Refrigerator and Release, was owned by the city of Philadelphia and offered to the Union Navy free of expense soon after the outbreak of the American Civil War. She was placed in service at Philadelphia 23 April 1861, Comdr. Oliver S. Glisson in command.Supporting the initial stability of the Potomac River area
She departed 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,...
, the same day to protect the landing of troops at Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, to encourage Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
's adherence to the Union and to be available for the defense of 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....
Ice Boat was ordered to Washington for duty in 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...
21 May arriving two days later. Most of her service was off Aquia Creek
Aquia Creek
Aquia Creek is a tributary of the tidal segment of the Potomac River and is located in northern Virginia. The creek's headwaters lie in southeastern Fauquier County, and it empties into the Potomac at Brent Point in Stafford County, south of Washington, D.C....
where she labored to stop trade across the Potomac River between 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 Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, occasionally engaging 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...
batteries on the Virginia shore.
Defending the Nation’s Capital after Union loss at Bull Run
News of the Union Army's defeat at the First Battle of Bull RunFirst Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
caused Ice Boat's return to Washington to defend the Nation's Capital. A fortnight later the ship was back off Aquia Creek
Aquia Creek
Aquia Creek is a tributary of the tidal segment of the Potomac River and is located in northern Virginia. The creek's headwaters lie in southeastern Fauquier County, and it empties into the Potomac at Brent Point in Stafford County, south of Washington, D.C....
where she remained until she was returned to her owner late in November 1861.