USS Wando (1864)

USS "Wando" (1864) was a steamer captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.

Capture

"Wando" -- a side-wheel steamer built in 1864 at Glasgow, Scotland -- was captured at sea off Cape Romain, South Carolina, by the Union side-wheel steamer "Fort Jackson" on 21 October 1864 as she attempted to slip away from the Confederate coast laden with cotton.

The former blockade runner had sailed under British colors as "Let Her Rip" until May 1864 when the Chicora Import & Export Co. of Charleston, South Carolina, had purchased the vessel and renamed her "Wando". The Navy purchased the ship from the Boston, Massachusetts, prize court on 5 November 1864; and commissioned her at the Boston Navy Yard on 22 December 1864, Acting Master Frederick T. King in command.

Union actions

Late in December, "Wando" proceeded south for duty with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She arrived at Port Royal, South Carolina, on 5 January 1865 and was stationed on blockade duty off Charleston in February. "Wando" departed Charleston on 11 February and joined in amphibious operations against the Confederate fort and batteries at Andersonville, Bull's Bay, South Carolina, lasting from 13 to 17 February. The fort and batteries were silenced, prompting the evacuation of Charleston on the 18th. In March, "Wando" joined the blockading force off Georgetown, South Carolina, and then returned to Charleston in April.

Decommissioning and sale

"Wando" remained at Charleston until ordered north to the New York Navy Yard on 28 July 1865. She was decommissioned there on 10 August 1865 and was sold at public auction on 30 November 1865 to H. Allen.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w2/wando-i.htm USS Wando]