USS Massasoit (1863)
Encyclopedia
USS Massasoit (1863) was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
.
She was used by the Union Navy for anti-raider duty, bombardment duty, dispatch duty, and as a gunboat
stationed off Confederate
ports to prevent their trading with foreign countries.
’s “march to the sea,” she first patrolled the New England
coast for Confederate raiders.
In October Massasoit joined Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter
’s North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. After several escort voyages from New York City
to Hampton Roads, Virginia, she served on picket duty on the James River
, in Virginia
.
She took part in the 24 January 1865 duel with Confederate batteries at Howlett’s House, and the following months stood by to prevent any southern rams from reaching the coast.
, she remained on duty in the Sounds
of North Carolina in the last days of the Civil War.
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 for anti-raider duty, bombardment duty, dispatch duty, and 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:...
stationed off 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...
ports to prevent their trading with foreign countries.
Launched in Boston in 1863
Massasoit was launched 8 March 1863 by Curtis & Tilden, Boston, Massachusetts; commissioned 8 March 1864, Lt. Comdr. Edward Barrett in command; but did not leave the Navy Yard before decommissioning 31 July 1864.Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade
Recommissioned 25 August 1864 in the tense days before General William Tecumseh ShermanWilliam Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
’s “march to the sea,” she first patrolled the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
coast for Confederate raiders.
In October Massasoit joined Rear Admiral 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 North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. After several escort voyages from 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 Hampton Roads, Virginia, she served on picket duty 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...
, in 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...
.
She took part in the 24 January 1865 duel with Confederate batteries at Howlett’s House, and the following months stood by to prevent any southern rams from reaching the coast.
Carrying dispatches for General William Sherman
Ordered 6 April to carry dispatches to General William Tecumseh Sherman in North CarolinaNorth 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...
, she remained on duty in the Sounds
Sound (geography)
In geography a sound or seaway is a large sea or ocean inlet larger than a bay, deeper than a bight and wider than a fjord; or it may be defined as a narrow sea or ocean channel between two bodies of land ....
of North Carolina in the last days of the Civil War.