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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Kingfisher (I)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Bark:

Built, date and location unknown

Launched, date unknown

Purchased by the Navy at Boston, 2 August 1861

Commissioned USS Kingfisher, 3 October 1861, at Boston Navy Yard, Acting LT. Joseph P. Couthouy in command, departing the same day to join the Gulf Blockading Squadron at Key West

On 21 January Kingfisher joined USS Ethan Allen in capturing Olive Branch out bound from Ceder Keys to Nassau

Five days later the two ships mounted a boat expedition to the mouth of the Manatee River where they captured sloop Mary Nevis and burned Confederate cavalry barracks

On 29 January Kingfisher took Spanish brig Terisita of Havana

On 25 February Kingfisher overtook blockade runner Lion in the Gulf of Mexico after a 3-day chase

On 2 June two boats from Kingfisher rowed up Aucilla River, FL., to obtain fresh water, they were ambushed by a Southern raiding party killing two men and capturing the remaining nine

Kingfisher was ordered to Boston to be repaired and her crew reinvigorated

Kingfisher joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Port Royal, S.C., 21 December 1862

Stationed in St. Helena Sound, S.C., she distinguished herself for efficiency in reconnaissance work and operations against small parties of Confederates ashore

On 9 April 1863 a party from Kingfisher landed at Edisto Island, S.C., and captured a group of Southern cavalry men stationed there

From time to time during the ensuing year, she shelled Confederate troops ashore and sent landing parties inland to gather information and capture food for her crew and for refugees who had flocked to her for protection

Kingfisher grounded on Combahee Bank in St. Helena Sound 28 March 1864

Efforts to save her proved fruitless she was abandoned 5 April 1864

Final Disposition, fate unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 451 t.
Length 121'4"
Beam 28'8"
Depth of Hold 14'4"
Draft unknown
Speed unknown
Complement 97

Armament

four 8" Dalghren smoothbores

Propulsion sail

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
110202505	23k	*Namesake* Kingfisher - One of Europe's most beautiful birds conspicuous for its blue-green back and rich chestnut breast.		Tommy Trampp
098675301	74k	USS Mississippi and USS Kingfisher at Passe a L'Outre New Orleans, 1 January 1863. Sketch print from a 1863 Frank Leslie's Illustrated Magazine.		Tommy Trampp

USS Kingfisher (I)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)<

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Last Updated 4 December 2020