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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Flirt

schooner:
  • Built in 1839 for the War Department at Baltimore, MD.
  • Transferred to the Navy in November 1839, commissioned USS Flirt, LT. J. T. McLaughlin in command
  • Flirt departed Baltimore, 15 December 1839, as flagship of a small squadron of schooners
  • Based at Key West the squadron operated along the coast of Florida supporting the suppression of Indian uprisings, prevented the Indians from receiving ammunition and supplies from Cuba and Bermuda, and organized expeditions into the Everglades to protect settlers' lives and property
  • In 1842 Flirt was ordered north, arriving in Hampton Roads, 19 July
  • From August to November 1842, Flirt was in ordinary at Norfolk, VA.
  • Flirt subsequently served as receiving ship at Charleston, S.C. until April 1843 when she was fitted out for service as a despatch ship
  • Based at Norfolk, Flirt carried passengers and mail destined for the Pacific Squadron to Panama, touching at many ports in the Gulf of Mexico to transfer men and supplies
  • During the Mexican War of 1846-47 (LT. James Shedden Palmer in command) she continued carrying dispatches for the Pacific Squadron to Panama and transported mail and supplies between New Orleans and Galveston for the forces in Texas
  • Based at Key West from 1847 to 1850, (LT. Ebenezer Farrand in command) Flirt patrolled the Gulf of Mexico
  • Decommissioned, 29 November 1850, at Charleston, S.C.
  • Sold in 1851 to General James Gadsden carrying goods between Newport, Florida and South Carolina
  • Resold in 1853
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 150 tons
    Length unknown
    Beam unknown
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft 7'6"
    Speed unknown
    Complement 89
    Armament
    two 9-pdrs
    six 24-pdr carronades
    Propulsion sail
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Flirt 423k Undated sketch of the schooner USS Flirt from "Journal of a cruise in the Brig Truxton", author and publisher unknown
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo #NH 53919    		 Robert Hurst
    USS Flirt
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    Last Updated 11 January 2019