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USS Reefer

Schooner:
  • Built, date unknown, as a pilot schooner at New York, City
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Purchased by the Navy at New York City, 25 May 1846, from Brown and Bell
  • Commissioned, USS Reefer, 19 June 1846, at New York, LT. Isaac Sterrett in command
  • USS Reefer was purchased to service as a dispatch boat in COMO. David Conner's Home Squadron during the Mexican War
  • The schooner reached Vera Cruz, 10 July 1846, and soon began blockade duty south of that port
  • Early in August, she participated in an expedition against Alvarado, a river port some 30 miles from Vera Cruz which sheltered a number of Mexican gunboats
  • However, the strong current prevented the American vessels from effecting the planned landing
  • Another attempt was made against Alvarado, 15 October, but was again abortive
  • In this second attack upon the Mexican port a shell hit Reefer near her rudder head but did not damage her seriously
  • On 16 October, Reefer got underway with a task force commanded by COMO. Matthew C. Perry, but the next day she was separated from her consorts in a severe storm and missed participating in the expedition up the Tabasco River
  • The occupation of Tampico came in mid-November for the schooner which became station ship at that port
  • In March 1847, she was part of the force which captured Vera Cruz
  • After the fall of that important port, the American squadron occupied other Mexican ports along the gulf coast
  • Alvarado and Tuxpan fell in April, and in June Frontera and Tabasco came into American hands ending the fighting on the Mexican east coast
  • Thereafter, Reefer and her sister ships settled down to blockade duty and maintained water lines of supply and communication for the Army
  • After the war ended, Reefer returned to New York City
  • Decommissioned, date unknown, at New York City
  • sold at New York City in 1848
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 76t.
    Length 59'
    Beam 19'
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft 6'
    Speed unknown
    Complement 40
    Armament
    one 18-pdr or one 32-pdr
    Propulsion sail
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    Reefer
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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    Last Updated 12 August 2022