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USS Sophronia (1861)
Encyclopedia
USS Sophronia (1861) was a 217-ton motorized schooner
purchased by the Union Navy
during the first year of the American Civil War
.
The Navy outfitted Sophronia with a powerful 13-inch mortar
, for use in bombardment, and assigned her to operations on the Mississippi River
where Union Navy forces were attempting to gain control of the river in order to split the Confederate States of America
in two.
from Charles Clark on 3 September 1861; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 25 January 1862, Acting Master Lyman Bartholomew in command.
's Mortar Flotilla, the schooner sailed for Key West, Florida
, where the other ships of the force assembled before moving on to Ship Island, Mississippi, on 6 March. On the 18th, the mortar boats were towed across the bar at Pass a L'Outre into the Mississippi River
. A month later, the flotilla moved upstream to positions below Forts Jackson and St. Philip
and opened fire.
Sophronia anchored some 3,000 yards from Fort Jackson and began lobbing mortar shells into the fort, at 1000, at the rate of six an hour. The bombardment continued intermittently until Admiral David Farragut
had safely dashed past Forts Jackson and St. Philip
on the morning of the 24th. New Orleans, Louisiana
, fell to Admiral Farragut the next day, and the two forts surrendered on 28 April as they were cut off from their source of supplies and Union forces were prepared to attack them from three sides.
Early in May, Porter took his Mortar Flotilla back to the Gulf of Mexico
, but they were recalled to the Mississippi River and ascended the river in June to support Farragut's operations against Vicksburg
.
's successful Seven Days Campaign prompted the U.S. Navy Department to recall some of Porter's schooners for possible service on the James River
to help protect General George McClellan
's beleaguered army.
Sophronia arrived in Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 31 July and thereafter operated in Chesapeake Bay
and on the rivers of Virginia
.
in early 1863 and was assigned duty as a guard ship at Piney Point, Virginia. On 19 May, she captured the schooner Mignonette which was carrying contraband
. In June 1864, she was one of four schooners assigned to aid a Union Army
expedition up the Rappahannock River
, after which she resumed her post at Piney Point.
on 21 August 1865 and sold at auction the following month.
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....
purchased 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 first year of 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...
.
The Navy outfitted Sophronia with a powerful 13-inch mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
, for use in bombardment, and assigned her to operations on 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...
where Union Navy forces were attempting to gain control of the river in order to split 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...
in two.
Purchased in New York City in 1961
Sophronia was purchased by the Navy 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...
from Charles Clark on 3 September 1861; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 25 January 1862, Acting Master Lyman Bartholomew in command.
Assigned to the Mississippi River mortar flotilla
Assigned to Comdr. David PorterDavid Porter (naval officer)
David Porter was an officer in the United States Navy in a rank of commodore and later the commander-in-chief of the Mexican Navy.-Life:...
's Mortar Flotilla, the schooner sailed for 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...
, where the other ships of the force assembled before moving on to Ship Island, Mississippi, on 6 March. On the 18th, the mortar boats were towed across the bar at Pass a L'Outre into 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...
. A month later, the flotilla moved upstream to positions below Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
The Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip was the decisive battle for possession of New Orleans in the American Civil War. The two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River south of the city were attacked by a Union Navy fleet...
and opened fire.
Sophronia anchored some 3,000 yards from Fort Jackson and began lobbing mortar shells into the fort, at 1000, at the rate of six an hour. The bombardment continued intermittently until Admiral David Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
had safely dashed past Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
The Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip was the decisive battle for possession of New Orleans in the American Civil War. The two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River south of the city were attacked by a Union Navy fleet...
on the morning of the 24th. 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...
, fell to Admiral Farragut the next day, and the two forts surrendered on 28 April as they were cut off from their source of supplies and Union forces were prepared to attack them from three sides.
Early in May, Porter took his Mortar Flotilla back to 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...
, but they were recalled to the Mississippi River and ascended the river in June to support Farragut's operations against Vicksburg
Battle of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. John C...
.
Recalled to the James River in Virginia
However, General Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
's successful Seven Days Campaign prompted the U.S. Navy Department to recall some of Porter's schooners for possible service on 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...
to help protect General George McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
's beleaguered army.
Sophronia arrived in Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 31 July and thereafter operated in Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
and on the rivers of 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...
.
Reassigned to the Potomac River Flotilla
Sophronia was attached to the Potomac FlotillaPotomac Flotilla
The Potomac Flotilla, or the Potomac Squadron was a unit of the United States Navy created in the early days of the American Civil War to secure Union communications in the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River and their tributaries, and to disrupt Confederate communications and shipping in the...
in early 1863 and was assigned duty as a guard ship at Piney Point, Virginia. On 19 May, she captured the schooner Mignonette which was carrying contraband
Contraband
The word contraband, reported in English since 1529, from Medieval French contrebande "a smuggling," denotes any item which, relating to its nature, is illegal to be possessed or sold....
. In June 1864, she was one of four schooners assigned to aid a 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...
expedition up the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...
, after which she resumed her post at Piney Point.
Post-war decommissioning
Sophronia was decommissioned at the 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...
on 21 August 1865 and sold at auction the following month.