USS Mohawk (1858)
The second USS Mohawk was a screw steamship in the United States Navy. She was the SS Caledonia, which the US Navy acquired in 1858 and sold in 1864. After her sale she became SS Alliance and was wrecked in 1869.
Origins
Mohawk was built as Caledonia by Teas & Birely,
The Navy chartered her on 13 September 1858. She entered service soon after, Commander Augustus L. Case in command.
Mohawk sailed at once for
The steamer returned to the United States in February, was purchased by the Navy 14 June 1859, and renamed Mohawk on that date. She commissioned at
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Mohawk operated against
From 15 November on Lieutenant Craven in Mohawk, with the steamer Wyandotte, defended Forts Jefferson and Taylor at Key West, from actions of "bands of lawless men", a farsighted action that enabled the Union to retain that vital Florida base, so valuable during the forthcoming naval operations in the American Civil War. Mohawk remained on guard at Key West until the end of January 1861 and then sailed for New York.
On 11 March 1861, Mohawk departed for the Caribbean, escorting the supply ship Empire City to Havana and then Indianola, Texas. Mohawk proceeded to Pensacola, Florida via Havana and Key West, arriving 10 May and took up her blockade station off that port. She next moved on to patrol off St. Marks, Florida, capturing the sloop George B. Sloat 5 July as she was attempting to run the blockade. Mohawk remained on station until she sailed for New York 8 April 1862.
Two and one-half months later, Mohawk sailed for
Fate
Mohawk's old and damaged boilers and her poor general condition from wartime use rendered her unfit for further service. The Navy sold her on 12 July 1864. Subsequently renamed Alliance while in commercial service, she was wrecked at Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, on 4 March 1869.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.