USS Elfin (1864)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Elfin.
History
United States
Ordered: as W. C. Mann
Laid down: date unknown
Launched: date unknown
Acquired: February 23, 1864
In service: (circa) February 1864
Out of service: November 4, 1864
Struck: 1864 (est.)
Fate:
  • destroyed in combat
  • November 4, 1864
General characteristics
Displacement: 192 tons
Length: 155 ft (47 m)
Beam: 31 ft (9.4 m)
Depth of hold: 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m)
Propulsion: steam engine
Speed: not known
Complement: 50
Armament: eight 24-pounder howitzers

The first USS Elfin was a light draft gunboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a patrol vessel on Confederate waterways.

It was purchased as W. C. Mann by Admiral David Dixon Porter at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 23, 1864, and placed under the command of Acting Master A. F. Thompson.

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron, she cruised in the 7th District between Caledonia and Mound City, Illinois, for a month, then took up duty in the 9th District extending from Cairo, Illinois, to the head of the Tennessee River.

Elfin destroyed in combat with Confederate shore batteries

On November 4, 1864 Elfin was operating with USS Tawah and USS Key West in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. After a severe engagement of several hours with heavy Confederate shore batteries it was considered impossible to save the three vessels, and they were burned to prevent capture.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

See also

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