United States Revenue Cutter ''Commodore Perry'' was a twin screw steamer built for the United States Revenue Cutter Service for use on the Great Lakes.

Service history

The ''Commodore Perry'', often referred to as the ''Commodore'', was a wooden-hulled, twin screw steamer. She was constructed in Buffalo, New York by Harry Whittacker, using his design and boilers he patented. She was laid down in 1864, made her trial voyage in July 1865 and later commissioned under the command of Captain Douglas Ottinger. The ''Commodore'' served her entire 19-year career on the Great Lakes, enforcing tariff and trade laws, preventing smuggling, protecting the collection of Federal Revenue, and aiding mariners in distress. She was replaced in 1884 by a ship of the same name, .

Fate

In 1884, the ''Commodore Perry'' was sold and converted for use as a single screw passenger steamer. Renamed ''Periwinkle'', She served in this capacity until 30 June 1897, when she caught fire and burnt to waters edge.

Service highlights

* 25 September 1865- Transported former U.S. Ambassador to China Anson Burlingame from

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...

to Detroit, Michigan. *4 November 1867 - Helped rescue crewman of the propeller ship ''Acme'', sunk near Dunkirk, New York. *June 1883 - Final voyage for the Revenue Service. *1884 - Sold to H. H. Baker, Buffalo & Lake Erie Excursion Company. Rebuilt as conventional single-screw excursion boat.

References

External links

Image of USRC ''Commodore Perry''Image of ''Periwinkle''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Commodore Perry 1865 ships Ships of the United States Revenue Cutter Service Steamships of the United States Ships built in Buffalo, New York