USS Clyde (1863)
Encyclopedia
USS Clyde (1863) was a steamer captured by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was assigned by the Union Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy
to prevent the South from trading with other countries.
for condemnation. Sent to New York City
to be surveyed and appraised, she was purchased by the Navy Department and placed in commission on 29 July 1863, Acting
Master
A. A. Owens in command.
on 3 August. Her name was changed to Clyde on 11 August. Clyde sailed from Washington on 6 September and arrived at Key West on 13 September for duty with the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.
She patrolled the coastal and inland waters of western Florida
and among the Florida Keys
until the end of the war. She captured the schooner
Amaranth on 27 September, and participated in two boat expeditions up the Suwanee River and the Waccasassa River
, capturing nearly 200 bales of cotton.
and sold on 25 October.
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 assigned by the Union 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.
Neptune captured and converted to Union Navy use as Clyde
Clyde — a sidewheel steamer — was captured as Neptune on 14 June 1863 by and sent to Key West, FloridaKey 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...
for condemnation. Sent to 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...
to be surveyed and appraised, she was purchased by the Navy Department and placed in commission on 29 July 1863, Acting
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
Master
Master (naval)
The master, or sailing master, was a historic term for a naval officer trained in and responsible for the navigation of a sailing vessel...
A. A. Owens in command.
Supporting blockade operations in the Gulf of Mexico
Departing New York on 30 July 1863, the steamer arrived at 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....
on 3 August. Her name was changed to Clyde on 11 August. Clyde sailed from Washington on 6 September and arrived at Key West on 13 September for duty with the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.
She patrolled the coastal and inland waters of western Florida
Florida
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...
and among the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
until the end of the war. She captured the schooner
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....
Amaranth on 27 September, and participated in two boat expeditions up the Suwanee River and the Waccasassa River
Waccasassa River
The Waccasassa River is a small, isolated river in Levy County, Florida, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The river is long, and has a drainage basin of . Three-quarters of the river is accessible only by canoe or kayak.- References :...
, capturing nearly 200 bales of cotton.
Post-war decommissioning and sale
Arriving at Philadelphia Navy Yard on 10 August 1865, Clyde was decommissioned on 17 August, taken to 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...
and sold on 25 October.