USRC ''Woodbury'', also referred to as Levi Woodbury, the first marine cutter to bear the name, was a schooner-rigged
revenue cutter
A cutter is a type of watercraft. The term has several meanings. It can apply to the rig (or sailplan) of a sailing vessel (but with regional differences in definition), to a governmental enforcement agency vessel (such as a coast guard or bor ...
built for the
United States Revenue Cutter Service
)
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. ''Woodbury'' was authorized on 8 November 1836, and
Revenue-Marine
)
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Captain H. D. Hunter was assigned to supervise construction. ''Woodbury'' was built at
Baltimore, Md
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
, by L. H. Duncan, and was launched on 27 March 1837. The cutter was a 120-ton topsail schooner mounted with four 12-pound and one 6-pound cannon.
After being made ready for sea. ''Woodbury'' set sail for
to relieve the revenue cutter ''Campbell'' in Gulf of Mexico patrols. By 28 March 1838, ''Woodbury'' was operating in the
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico ( es, Golfo de México) is an oceanic basin, ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of ...
in cooperation with the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
. Orders from the Collector of Customs at New Orleans to the Woodbury commanding officer, '' "You will proceed to sea forthwith, taking your cruising ground from Chandalier Islands to the mouth of the Sabine River, and in the event of any vessel sailing under our flag, being in your presence unlawfully attacked, by an armed force, you will render such aid and protection as may be in your power." ''. The ship was damaged by a French warship and was allowed to go to
Veracruz, Mexico
Veracruz (), formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave), is one of the 31 states which, along with Me ...
for repairs, was detained, and was there to witness the French bombardment of the fortress at
San Juan de Ulua and the surrender. Released 29 November 1838, ''Woodbury'' sailed for New Orleans where she was refitted to resume patrolling the Gulf of Mexico. Ordered to Baltimore the Woodbury arrived there 26 August 1839, and after refitting departed for New Orleans 23 September 1839, for continued patrols also running dispatch during the war with Mexico. On Feb. 17, 1845, the Republic of Texas cutter Santa Anna ordered 2 schooners loading cotton to stop at Sabine Pass and pay tonnage fees and waited at the custom's house. When the schooners began sailing through the pass they were escorted by ''Woodbury'' and was allowed to pass without incident. On 2 March 1846, ''Woodbury'' arrived at Aransas Pass, Texas. Captain Winslow Foster placed his ship at the disposal of General
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military leader who served as the 12th president of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850. Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising to th ...
and escorted transports moving troops to Point Isabel.
USRC Woodbury; Navy history
Retrieved 2013-09-13
After more than ten years of service, ''Woodbury'' was decommissioned on 14 September 1846 and sold on 1 June 1847.
References
1837 ships
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