USS Neptune (1863)

History
US
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	date unknown
Acquired	17 July 1863
Commissioned	19 December 1863
Decommissioned	31 May 1865
Stricken	1865 (est.)
Fate	sold, 12 July 1865
General characteristics
Displacement	1,244 long tons (1,264 t)
Length	209 ft (64 m)
Beam	34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Depth of hold	20 ft 8 in (6.30 m)
Propulsion	steam engine screw-propelled
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement	173
Armament	one 100-pounder gun two 30-pounder Parrott rifles eight 32-pounder guns
Armor	wood

For other ships with the same name, see USS Neptune.

USS Neptune (1863) was a large steamer, with powerful guns and a large crew, acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

She served the Navy primarily, as an armed escort vessel in the West Indies, for Union Navy and commercial ships traveling through that area on their way to and from California.

Purchased in New York City by the Navy in 1863

Neptune, a wooden steamer, was purchased by the Union Navy at New York City 17 July 1863 from William P. Williamson, of the Neptune Steamship Co. She was delivered to the government at the New York Navy Yard 3 September, and commissioned there 19 December.

Assigned as escort ship between West Indies and California

Assigned to the West India Squadron, she steamed from New York City 9 January 1864 and was employed principally in convoying the California steamers through the West Indies.

Post-war decommissioning and disposal

At the end of the Civil War, Neptune returned to New York City, where she decommissioned 31 May 1865. She was sold at auction at New York City 12 July 1865 to John Henderson.

See also

• Confederate States Navy
• United States Navy
• List of United States Navy ships

References

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