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USS Patroon (1859)
Encyclopedia
USS Patroon (1859) was a steamer
acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy
to prevent the South from trading with other countries.
, in 1859, was purchased by the Navy 28 October 1861 at Trenton, New Jersey
, from R.T. Loper; and commissioned at New York Navy Yard 18 March 1862, acting Master Edward McKeige in command.
early in May 1862, and she spent most of her naval career operating along the Florida
coast, enforcing the blockade
, silencing Confederate coastal artillery, and gathering intelligence about Southern defenses.
8 December 1863.
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
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 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.
Constructed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1861
Patroon, a wooden screw steamer built 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,...
, in 1859, was purchased by the Navy 28 October 1861 at Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, from R.T. Loper; and commissioned at New York Navy Yard 18 March 1862, acting Master Edward McKeige in command.
Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade
Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Patroon was stationed off the St. Johns RiverSt. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
early in May 1862, and she spent most of her naval career operating along the 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...
coast, enforcing the blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
, silencing Confederate coastal artillery, and gathering intelligence about Southern defenses.
Patroon successfully duels with batteries at St. John's Bluff
The highlight of her service came 11 September, when, with , she dueled with Confederate batteries at St. John's Bluff, Florida. Although Uncas was damaged, the Union ships forced their adversaries to abandon their positions and retire inland out of range.A leaky ship, Patroon was sent north for decommissioning
However, from the first, leaking and a variety of other problems limited Patroon's effectiveness, and she was soon ordered north. Decommissioned 18 November 1862, the steamer was sold at public auction at Philadelphia 30 December 1862.Patroon purchased by the Union Army
She was subsequently purchased by the Union ArmyUnion 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...
8 December 1863.