USS ''Chicopee'' was a large steamer acquired by the

Union Navy ), (official) , colors = Blue and gold , colors_label = Colors , march = , mascot = , equipment = , equipment_label ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. She was used by the Navy for various purposes, but especially to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Service history

''Chicopee'', a double-ended side wheel steamer, was built by Paul Curtis, Boston, Massachusetts; launched 4 March 1863; and commissioned 7 May 1864, Commander A. D. Harell in command. From 10 June 1864 ''Chicopee'' sailed off the coast and in the inland waters of

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

. She joined in the operations which led to the capture of

Plymouth, North Carolina Plymouth is the largest town in Washington County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,878 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Washington County. Plymouth is located on the Roanoke River about seven miles (11 km) upr ...

, between 29 October and 1 November 1864. Later she cooperated with the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

in the expeditions to Pitch Landing and against Rainbow Bluff, North Carolina, of December 1864. After overhaul at

Norfolk Navy Yard The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships. It is the oldest and largest industrial facility tha ...

in early 1865, ''Chicopee'' returned to North Carolina waters, and resumed her cruising with the

North Atlantic Squadron The North Atlantic Squadron was a section of the United States Navy operating in the North Atlantic. It was renamed as the North Atlantic Fleet in 1902. In 1905 the European and South Atlantic squadrons were abolished and absorbed into the Nort ...

until 24 December 1865 when she arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard. She returned to

Wilmington, North Carolina Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the ...

, 23 January 1866, and continued to cruise off the North Carolina coast until 3 December, sailing then for

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

She was placed out of commission there 19 December 1866 and sold 8 October 1867.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chicopee Ships of the Union Navy Steamships of the United States Navy Ships built in Boston Sassacus-class gunboats American Civil War patrol vessels of the United States 1863 ships