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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Florida (II)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Campaign Medal

Side-wheel steamer:

Built in 1850 as the side-wheel steamer SS Florida at New York City for the New York and Savannah Steam Navigation Co.

Purchased the US Navy August 1861, converted to a cruiser, and commissioned on 5 October 1861, LT. J. R. Goldsborough in command.

Initially assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Returned to New York for decommissioned for repair in November 1862

Recommissioned, 7 March 1863, for service with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron

Decommissioned for repairs, 12 December 1864

Recommissioned, 26 February 1865

Decommissioned, 26 April 1867

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Returned to commercial service, renamed SS Delphine

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 1,261 t.
Length 214'
Beam 35' 3"
Draft 22' 4"
Speed 13 kts
Complement unknown
Armament

one 20-pdr

eight 32-pdrs

Propulsion Steam

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
186k	"Merchant Steamers Converted into Gun-boats." Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume. Depicts thirteen merchant steamships acquired by the U.S. Navy between April and August 1861 and subsequently converted into warships, plus the steamer *Nashville* (far left), which became a Confederate cruiser. US Navy ships as identified below the image bottom, are (from left to right: USS Alabama, USS Quaker City, USS Santiago de Cuba, (listed as "St. Jago de Cuba") USS Mount Vernon, USS Massachusetts, USS South Carolina, USS Florida, USS De Soto, USS Augusta, USS James Adger, USS Monticello, USS Bienville and USS R.R. Cuyler. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 59366.	Robert Hurst
139k	Preparing Merchant Vessels for the Blockade", Harper's Weekly, September 7, 1861. Merchant steamers Augusta, *James Adger, Florida* and *Valley City* being fitted out for naval service at New York Navy Yard.	Tommy Trampp
69k	Watercolor by Erik Heyl, 1948, painted for use in his book "Early American Steamers", Volume I. This steamer served as USS Florida during 1861-1868. After returning to civilian ownership, she was renamed *Delphine* US Navy photo # NH 63849 courtesy Erik Heyl, from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command	US Navy History and Heritage Command
170k	"Portion of the Naval Expedition, as it appeared on the night of October 16, sailing to Hampton Roads. -- Sketched by an Officer on Board. 1861". Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume, pages 712. It depicts Flag Officer DuPont's squadron en route to capture Port Royal, South Carolina. Ships, all U.S. Navy, as identified below the image bottom, are (from left): *USS Wabash,* USS Florida, USS Augusta,, USS Alabama,, USS Ottawa,, USS Seneca, and USS Pembina. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 59316	Robert Hurst
152k	USS Florida 20¢ Stamp, Marshall Islands, 1997. Great Fighting Ships of the 50 States appear on a sheet of stamps issued by the Marshall Islands to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the US Department of the Navy in 1798.	Tommy Trampp

USS Florida
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 23 August 2019