USS Young America
 Sketch of the confederate tender Young America.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
  United States | |
| Laid down | 1855 |
| Launched | 1855 |
| Acquired | 7 January 1864 |
| Commissioned | 26 February 1862 |
| Decommissioned | 9 June 1865 |
| Captured |
|
| Fate | Sold, 12 July 1865 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 173 tons |
| Draft | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Armament |
|
USS Young America was a Confederate steamer captured by the Union Navy’s blockade vessels, and subsequently placed in-service in the Union Navy during the American Civil War.
Service history
On 24 April 1861, Union
James River laden with munitions for the Confederacy. Cumberland armed the prize—a screw steamer built in 1855 at New York City—and used her as a tender. However, early in June, Young America was ordered to the Washington Navy Yard for repairs to her machinery. She broke down while en route and was towed up the Potomac River by Union steamer USS Resolute
.
Repairs completed, the tug departed Washington, D.C., late in July, bound for Hampton Roads and duty with the
North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. After patrol and reconnaissance assignments, Young America proceeded to the Baltimore Navy Yard on 13 October 1861 for further repairs and returned to duty in Hampton Roads late in November. On 26 February 1862, the vessel briefly left the Virginia Capes area for Currituck Inlet, North Carolina, to rescue crewmen and stores threatened with capture when Union screw steamer USS R. B. Forbes
grounded on 25 February.
Young America performed invaluable service to the squadron during engagements with
Nag's Head, North Carolina
, on 26 August 1862. Young America left for repairs at the Baltimore Navy Yard in September.
Young America returned to Hampton Roads in mid-October 1862, resuming duties as an armed guard tug. On 30 November 1862,
public auction
at New York City on 12 July 1865 to Camden & Amboy Railroad Co.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here. - Confederate service
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here. - Union service