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USS Commodore McDonough (1862)
Encyclopedia
USS Commodore McDonough (1862) was a ferryboat acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. Ferryboats were of great value, since – because of their flat bottom and shallow draft
— they could navigate streams and shallow waters that other ships could not.
; fitted out at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned on 24 November 1862, Lieutenant Commander
G. Bacon in command.
on 11 December 1862. Throughout her service, she operated in South Carolina
waters, primarily off Charleston
, but often cruising up the many rivers of that coast to bombard shore installations, cover the landing of troops, engage Confederate
batteries, and perform reconnaissance
. In the continuing operations in Charleston Harbor
, she frequently bombarded the forts protecting the city.
, and on 23 August 1865 — while under tow for New York — she foundered.
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...
. Ferryboats were of great value, since – because of their flat bottom and shallow draft
Draft (hull)
The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
— they could navigate streams and shallow waters that other ships could not.
Purchased in New York City in 1862
Commodore McDonough — an armed, side-wheel ferry — was purchased on 5 August 1862 in 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...
; fitted out at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned on 24 November 1862, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
G. Bacon in command.
Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade
Commodore McDonough joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Port Royal, South CarolinaPort Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
on 11 December 1862. Throughout her service, she operated in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
waters, primarily off Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, but often cruising up the many rivers of that coast to bombard shore installations, cover the landing of troops, engage 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, and perform reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
. In the continuing operations in Charleston Harbor
Charleston Harbor
The Charleston Harbor is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean at Charleston, South Carolina. The inlet is formed by the junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers at . Morris and Sullivan's Island, shelter the entrance...
, she frequently bombarded the forts protecting the city.
Foundered while under tow at war’s end
At the close of the war, she assisted in harbor clearance at Port Royal, South CarolinaPort Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
, and on 23 August 1865 — while under tow for New York — she foundered.