USS Nantasket (1867)

History
Name:	USS Nantasket
Builder:	Boston Navy Yard
Laid down:	1864
Launched:	15 August 1867
Commissioned:	22 October 1869
Struck:	22 July 1875
Fate:	Sold, 1883
General characteristics
Type:	Gunboat
Displacement:	1,129 long tons (1,147 t)
Length:	206 ft (63 m)
Beam:	32 ft (9.8 m)
Draft:	12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion:	Steam engine, screw
Speed:	10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph)
Complement:	114 officers and enlisted
Armament:	6 × 9-pounder guns

USS Nantasket was a screw steamer of the United States Navy. Laid down at Boston Navy Yard in 1864; launched on 15 August 1867, sponsored by Miss Emma Hartt; and commissioned on 22 October 1869, Lieutenant Commander Francis M. Bunce in command.

Service history

Assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron, the ship was stationed at Samaná Bay, Santo Domingo, for the next two years. While based at this island, she made numerous short voyages carrying messages to American officials on various islands in the Caribbean. At times, she also carried officials as passengers. She continued this duty until 30 April 1872, when she was relieved by the steamer USS Nipsic. Departing Samana Bay on 5 June, she sailed for Key West arriving on 8 June. She was decommissioned at Portsmouth Navy Yard and remained in ordinary until struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 22 July 1875. She was sold in 1883.

References

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