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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Commodore Perry


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Sidewheel steamer:
  • Built in 1859 at Williamsburg, N.Y. by Stack and Joyce.
  • Purchased by the US Navy, 2 October 1861
  • Commissioned in October 1861, Acting Master F. J. Thomas in command
  • During the Civil War USS Commodore Perry was assigned to the:
    North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in January 1862
    Took part in the attack on Roanoke Island, 7,8 February 1862
    Participated in the capture of Elizabeth City, N. C., 10 February 1862
    Captured schooner Lynnhaven, 9 February 1862
    Assisted in the capture of New Bern and Washington in March 1862
    Participated in the Army-Navy expedition against Franklin, VA., 3 October 1862
    Participated in an attack on Plymouth, N.C., 10 December 1862
    Participated in the Army-Navy expedition against Hertford, N.C., 30 January 1863
    After repairs at Norfolk and Baltimore USS Commodore Perry rejoined her squadron in March 1864
    Patrolled the island and coastal waters of Virginia
  • Decommissioned, 26 June 1865
  • Sold, 12 July 1865
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 512 t.
    Length 143'
    Beam 33'
    Draft 10'
    Speed 7 kts
    Complement 125
    Armament
    two 9" guns
    two 32-pdr smoothbores
    one 12-pdr howitzer
    Propulsion steam

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    By
    Oliver Hazard Perry 94k
    Namesake

    Oliver Hazard Perry (20 August 1785 - 23 August 1819) was born at Rocky Point, South Kingston RI and was appointed Midshipman 7 April 1799, serving in revenue cutter General Green during the Naval War with France. He fought in frigates Adam and Constellation during the Barbary Wars. In the War of 1812, Perry constructed and commanded a fleet of American warships on Lake Erie. When his flagship Lawrence was shattered and sinking in the Battle of Lake Erie, Perry fired her last effective gun, took his battle flag, and rowed across shot-splashed waters to Niagara where he fought on to victory, and reported, "We have met the enemy and they are ours..." The victory gave the United States control of Lake Erie and enabled Perry and General Harrison to take a large part of Canadian territory which helped American Commissioners at Ghent to negotiate a treaty favorable to the United States. When peace was restored, Perry commanded frigate Java in the Mediterranean. In May 1819 he went to Venezuela to seek help in protecting American ships off the northern coast of South America, waters then plagued by pirates. After sailing to the Spanish Main in John Adams, he ascended the Orinoco River in Nonsuch. At Angostura, Perry succeeded in negotiating a favorable treaty, but contracted fever and died 23 August 1819.
    Bill Gonyo
    Commodore Perry 118k USS Commodore Perry at anchor on the James River, VA., sometime between October, 1861 and June, 1865.
    Library of Congress photos
    Bill Gonyo and
    Mike Green
    Commodore Perry
    LC-B811-2864 (Lot 4182 no. 7)
    115k
    Commodore Perry 199k A boat crew from USS Commodore Perry taking several ship's officers ashore, date and location unknown.
    Photo from the collections of the Library of Congress
    Bill Gonyo
    Commodore Perry
    098618403
    105k Sketch by William Waud of USS Commodore Perry at anchor in the Appomattox River below Port Walthal, Chesterfield County, VA.
    Harper's Weekly, July 23, 1864, page 468
    Tommy Trampp
    Commodore Perry
    098618404
    457k USS Commodore Perry, a ferryboat converted to a gunboat, Pamunkey River, Virginia, USA. Dated 1864 Photo from www.picryl.com by www.commons.wikimedia.org John Spivey

    USS Commodore Perry
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01Act. Master Thomas, Frederick J.22 October 1861 - 16 February 1862
    02LCDR. Flusser, Charles W.16 February 1862 - 28 April 1863
    03Act. Vol. LT. Woodward, Thomas J.28 April 1863 - 2 January 1864
    04Act. Vol. LT. Foster, Amos P.10 April 1864 - 26 June 1865
    Courtesy Bill Gonyo

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    Last Updated 30 April 2024