Civil War Union Ships U through Z

United States   U.S. Civil    Union Navy in the Civil War    Civil War Union Ships U through Z

Introduction
The information below comes from. Included are the names of ships with information about dates of service in the Civil War, type of ship, name changes, etc.

Ship names beginning with U

 * Umbqua.Built by contract with Snowden &amp; Mason, Pittsburgh, Pa. Light-draft monitor. Sold at auction, September 12, 1874, at New Orleans, La., to Nathaniel McKay, for $8,900. June 15, 1869, name changed from Umpqua to Fury; August 10, 1869, renamed the Umpqua. She was commenced in 1863 and finished in September, 1866. Description
 * Unadilla. Hull built by contract with J. Englis and Novelty Iron Works, New York, N. Y. Class: Screw steamer; gunboat; wood. Sold October, 1869. Commissioned September 30, 1861, at New York Navy Yard, where she went out of commission May 4, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $19,883.73. Description
 * Uncas. Purchased September 20, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from Dudley Buck. Screw steamer. Sold at public auction August 21, 1863, at New York, for $6,900. Total cost of repairs on her while in the Government service was $26,032.01. Description
 * Underwriter. Purchased August 23, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by Navy Department. Side-wheel steamer. Captured and destroyed by Confederates February 2, 1864, on Neuse River, North Carolina. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $47, 294.12. Description
 * Undine. Purchased March 7, 1864, at Cincinnati, by Rear Admiral D. D. Porter. Captured by Confererates October 30, and burned November 4, 1864, on the Tennessee River, on the west shore, 1 mile above Reynoldsburg Island. After she was burned her two boilers were taken to the Naval Station, Mound City. All articles of value were recovered from her by Acting Volunteer Lieutenant G. W. Rogers, of the U. S. S. Kate, in August 1865. Purchased under name of Ben Gaylord. Description
 * Union, see Unit.
 * Union. Purchased, January 6, 1863, at New York, N. Y., by Rear Admiral Paulding, from P. Hargous &amp; Co. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, October 25, 1865, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co. to W. H. Staruck for $39,500. Description
 * Unit. Purchased, June 2, 1864, at Boston, Mass., by Rear-Admiral S. H. Stringham. Class: Screw steamer. Sold at public auction, July 12, 1865, at New York, N. Y., by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co. to C. &amp; E. T. Peters, for $6,750. Purchased under name of Union. June 30, 1865, repairs at Norfolk, Va., cost $4,727.11. About six months old, June 1, 1864. Number of officers, 2; men, 10; no condenser. Can carry 30 days' provisions. Steer passably well. Description
 * United States, see  New Berne.
 * United States. Built by Treasury and War Departments, at Philadelphia, Pa. Launched, May 10, 1797; completed in 1798. Class: Sailing Frigate; wood. Ordered to be docked at Norfolk Navy Yard, December 18, 1865, and broken up immediately. This frigate was constructed under act of Congress of 1794, March 27. Dimensions were fixed by John Barry, Richard Dale, and Thomas Truxtun. The draughts and molds were made by Joshua Humphreys. The bottom was coppered and she was copper-fastened. Description
 * Uno, see Juniper.

Ship names beginning with V

 * Valley City. Purchased, July 26, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from H. Atwater. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, August 15, 1865, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., to Mr. Clyde, for $8,000. Commissioned, September 13, 1861, at New York Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $44,675.69. Description
 * Valparaiso. Purchased November 22, 1861, at New Bedford, Mass., by G. D. Morgan &amp; R. H. Chappell, Ship. Sold at public auction, September 2, 1865, at Bay Point, S. C., by Rear-Admiral Radford, to English &amp; Co., for $625. Description
 * Vandalia. Class: Screw steamer; sloop; wood. Commissioned November 8, 1860, at New York Navy Yard, where she went out of commission, February 4, 1863; October 17, 1863, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, as receiving and guard ship. Description
 * Vanderbilt. Having been given to Government by Commodore Vanderbuilt, she was transferred, September, 1862, from war to naval service. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Sold, April 1, 1873, at Mare Island, Cal., to George Howes, for $42,000 in currency. Delivered to Government, September 2, 1862, at New York Navy Yard. Total cost of alterations and repairs while in the naval service was $221,433.86. Description
 * Van Houten, Peter B., see Jasmine.
 * Varuna. Purchased, December 31, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from C. Millory &amp; C. S. Bushnell. Description
 * Velocity. Purchased September 30, 1862, by Navy Department from Key West prize court. Class: Schooner. Captured January 21, 1863, by Confederates at Sabine Pass. Description
 * Verbena. Purchased, June 7, 1864, at New York, N. Y., by Rear Admiral H. Paulding from Thomas M. Wheeler. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, July 20, 1865, at Washington, to W. E. Gladwick, by William L. Wall &amp; Co., for $8,950. Purchased under name of Ino . Commissioned, July 11, 1864, at New York Navy Yard; went out of commission, June 13, 1865, at Washington Navy Yard. There are two engine feed pumps; one hand pump; one No. 3 steam pump, with usual connection. Crank shaft runs in iron boxes, fitted with soft metal. Wrought-iron air-pump levers and convenient arrangement of levers for moving the engine by hand. Description
 * Vermont. Class: Sails: ship - of - the - line: wood. Receiving ship at New York Navy Yard. July 30, 18864, officers of the Vermont were transferred to the New Hamphirel. Description
 * Vesuvius, see Tippecanoe.
 * Vicksburg, see Acacia.
 * Vicksburg. Purchased, October 20, 1863, at New York, N. Y., by Rear Admiral F. H. Gregory, from Maxon, Fish &amp; Co. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, July 12, 1865, at New York, N. Y., by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., to C. C. &amp; H. Cable, for $50,500. Commissioned, December 2, 1863, for North Atlantic Squadron, at New York Navy Yard, where she went out of commission, April 29, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $8,529.20. Description


 * Victoria, see Abraham.
 * Victoria. Purchased, December 26, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from A. Degraw. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, November 30, 1865, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., to L. A. Edwards, for $5,400. Commissioned, March 13, 1862, for North Atlantic Squadron at New York Navy Yard; went out of commission, May 4, 1865, at Norfolk Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $49,696.82. Description
 * Victory, see Queen.
 * Victory. Purchased, July 15, 1863, at Cincinnati, Ohio, by Rear-Admiral Porter from H. A. Jones et al. Class: Stern-wheel steamer: wood. Sold at public auction, August 17, 1865, at Mound City, Ill., by Soloman A. Sliver to W. Thorwegen, for $10,900. Her original name was Banker. July 8, 1863, she was commissioned for the Mississippi Squadron at Cincinnati, Ohio: went out of commission June 30, 1865, at Mound City, Ill. Description
 * Vincennes. Built by Government, Class: Sails; sloop; wood. Sold, October 5, 1867, a Boston, Mass., for $8,600. Commissioned, June 29, 1861, for West Gulf Squadron, at Boston Navy Yard, where she was ordered to be placed in ordinary, August 28, 1865. Description
 * Vindicator. Built by Government at New Albany, Ind., for Army; transferred by War Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer; ram; wood. Sold at public auction, November 29, 1865, at Mound City, Ill., by Solomon A. Silver, to W. L. Hambleton, for $5,000. Commissioned, May 24, 1864, for Mississippi Squadron, at Mound City, Ill., Description
 * Violet. Purchased under name of Martha, December 30, 1862, at New York, N. Y., by Rear-Admirlal H. Paulding, from E. Brandon &amp; J. Brites. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Wrecked and lost, August 7 - 8, 1864, at Western Bar Inlet, Cape Fear River, N. C. Name changed to Violet'on purchase. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $8,490.08. Commissioned, January, 1863, for North Atlantic Squadron, at New York Navy Yard.Description
 * Virginia. Built by Government at Boston Navy Yard. Class: Sails; ship of the line; wood. Broken up, 1884, at Boston, Mass. She was never finished. Description
 * Virginia. Purchased, September 1, 1863, from New York prize court by Navy Department. Class: Screw steamer; iron. Sold at public auction. November 30, 1865, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co. to Perry Brothers, for $20,000. Commissiioned, June 12, 1863, at New York Navy Yard for West Gulf Squadron. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $10,392.61. Description
 * Vixen, see Neosho.
 * Vixen. From Coast Survey, August 26, 1861. Class: Side-wheel steamer. Returned to Coast Survey. Commissioned, July 31, 1862, for South Atlantic Squadron at New York Navy Yard, where she went out of commission November 8, 1862, the date upon which she was to be repaired and turned over to the Coast Survey. Description
 * Volunteer. Purchased, February 29, 1864, from prize court, Springfield, Ill., by Navy Department. Class: Stern-wheel steamer. Sold at public auction. November 29, 1865, at Mound City, Ill., by Solomon A. Silver to B. F. Goodwin, for $9,100. Condition May 30, 1865, fair. Description

Ship names beginning with W

 * W. A. Healy, see Springfield.
 * W. C. Mann, see Elfin.
 * W. L. Bartlett. Purchased, August 13, 1861, at Baltimore, Md., by Captain H. S. Stellwagen. Schooner. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * W. S. Hancock, see Sorrel.
 * W. W. Burns. Purchased, August 13, 1861, at Baltimore, Md., by Captain H. S. Stellwagen. Schooner. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Wabash. Hull built by Government at Philadelphia Navy Yard, where she was launched. October 24, 1855; machinery by Merrick &amp; Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. She was commenced in May, 1854, and completed in September 1856. Class: Screw steamer; frigate; wood. Receiving ship, 1897, Boston Navy Yard. Commissioned, May 16, 1861, at New York Navy Yard; went out of commission, February 14, 1865, at Boston Navy Yard. Description
 * Wachusett. Hull built by Government at Boston Navy Yard, where she was launched, October 10, 1861; machinery, by Morgan Iron Works, New York, N. Y. Class: Screw steamer; sloop; wood. Sold, July 30, 1887, at Mare Island, Cal., to W. T. Garratt &amp; Co., for $16,501. Commissioned, March 3, 1862, at Boston Navy Yard. Commenced, June, 1861, and completed in August 1862. March 5, 1865, sailed for East Indies from Boston, Mass. Description
 * Wampanoag, see  Florida.
 * Wamsutta. Purchased, September 20, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan from H. Haldrege. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, July 20, 1865, at Portsmouth, N. H., by Charles Clark to Otis Seabury, for $14,500. Commissioned March 14, 1862, and April 24, 1864, at Philadelphia Navy Yard; February 2, 1863, at New York Navy Yard. Went out of commission December 3, 1862, at New York Navy Yard; September 14,1863, at Phildelphia Navy Yard; June 29, 1865, at Portsmouth, N. H., Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in Government service was $37,030. Description
 * Wanderer. Purchased, May 1863, from Philadelphia prizze court by Navy Department. Class: Schooner. Sold at public auction, June 28, 1865, at Key West, Fla., by A. Patterson, to Packer &amp; Watson, for $2,760. Description
 * Wando. Purchased, November, 1864, from Boston prize court by Navy Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer; iron. Sold at public auction, November 30, 1865, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., to H. Allen, for $30,200. Commissioned, December 22, 1864, at Boston Navy Yard; went out of commission, August 10, 1865, at New York Navy Yard. Cost of repairs in Boston in March, 1865, was $14,081.71 Description
 * Warren. Class: Sailing ship; wood. Sold at auction, January 1, 1863, at Panama, for $3,900. Went out of commission and turned over to Panama Railway Co., January 2, 1863. Commission for sale was $195. Description
 * Wasp. Purchased, January 13, 1865, from New York prize court by Navy Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer; iron. Sold, January 5, 1876, at Montevideo, to L. B. Scheiner, for $2,548.47 Name changed, June 12, 1865, from Emma Henry to Wasp. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $40,144.88. Was in service in South Atlantic Squadron. Thickness of iron plate in bottom, 3/8"; finished cranks. Cast-iron pillow block built into deck frame; wrought-iron columns. Engine room on main deck, conveniently arranged. Auxiliary steam pump and distilling apparatus; all pipes of stout copper; feed and bilge pumps attached to engines; four funaces to each boiler; water-tight partitions, fore and aft, to each boiler; two vibrating side wheels. Description
 * Wassuc. Built by contract with G. W. Lawrence, Portland, Me., where she was launched July 25, 1865. Light-draft monitor. September 9, 1875, to be cut up by Power &amp; Co. Delivered at Boston Navy Yard, November, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $26,342.29. Name changed from Wassuc to Stromboli,  June 15, 1869; August 10, 1869, renamed Wassuc. Description
 * Watch. Purchased October 3, 1861, at New York from A. C. Powell by George D. Morgan. Class: Screw steamer. Sold at public auction July 5, 1865, at Washington to Robert Lear by William L. Wall &amp; Co., for $2,600. Purchased under name of A. C. Powell; changed to Alert, during which time she was burned at Norfolk Navy Yard August 31, 1863; raised the hull and rebuilt her. February 2, 1865, name changed to Watch. Went out of commission, May 26, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $14, 680.55. Description
 * Wateree. Built by contract with Reaney, Son and Archbold, Chester, Pa., where she was launced August 12, 1863. Delivered to the Government at Philadelphia Navy Yard December 29, 1863. Class: Side-wheel steamer; gunboat; iron. Standed by a tidal wave August 13, 1868, at Arica, Peru; and sold to William Parker, November 21, 1868, for $2,775. Commissioned, January 20, 1864, at Phildelphia Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $36,798.14. Description
 * Water Witch. Hull built by Government at Washington Navy Yard, where she was launched in 1852; machinery, by William M. Ellis. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Captured, 2 A. M., June 6, 1864, in Ossabaw Sound, Ga., Lieutenant-Commander A. Pendergrast, commanding. Commissioned April 10, 1861, and September 6, 1862, at Philadelphia Navy Yard; June 3, 1863, at New York Navy Yard. Went out of commission February 19, 1862, at New York Navy Yard and April 14, 1862, at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Description
 * Wave. Purchased, November 14, 1863, at Cincinnati, Ohio, by Rear Admiral D. D. Porter. Class: Side-wheel steamer; tinclad. Captured, May 6, 1864, at Calcasieu Pass, Texas. Name changed from Argosy No. 2 to Wave. Description
 * Waxsaw. Built by contract with A. &amp; W. Denmead &amp; Son, Baltimore, Md. Launched May 4, 1865. Ironclad. Broken up by John Roach, for which he was paid $3,720, August 25, 1875, at New York. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $431,37. Name changed June 15, 1869, to Niobe. The above cost price includes all alterations, extra work, and two extra gun carriages. Description
 * Weehawken. Built by contract with Zeno Secor &amp; Co., Jersey City, N. J., where she was launched November 5, 1862. Screw steamer; single turret monitor; wood and iron. Sunk, December 6, 1863, off Morris Island, S. C. For extra work, sundries, labor, and materials, $65,110.73, was allowed. On passage from New York to Hampton Roads, January 19-22, 1863, she encountered a severe gale, her behaviour during which was reported by Captain John Rodgers as easy, buoyant and indicative of thorough strength and safety. Description
 * Western World. Purchased September 21, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from S. Schuyler. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, June 24, 1865, at Washington, by William L. Wall &amp; Co., to H. R. Haxelhurst, for $24,500. Commissioned January 3, 1862, at New York Navy Yard; November 14, 1864, at Washington Navy Yard. Went out of commission November 17, 1863, and May 26, 1865, at Washington Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $49,642.89. Description
 * Westfield. Purchased, November 22, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan from C. Vanderbilt. Class: Side-wheel steamer. Blown up at Galveston, Texas, Januayr 1, 1863, to prevent falling into hands of enemy. Fitted for naval service by J. A. Westervelt, at New York for $27,500. Description
 * Wheeler, see Alpha.
 * Whitehall. Purchased October 10, 1861, at Brooklyn, N. Y., by Navy Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Destroyed, March 10, 1862, by fire, at Old Point, Va. December 10, 1862, the wreck of the Whitehall was lying at Mill Creek, Va. She was entirely torn to pieces. Description
 * Whitehead. Purchased October 17, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan from D. B. Martin. Class: Screw steamer; tinclad; wood. Sold at public auction, August 10, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Samuel C. Cook, for $4,500. Commissioned, November 19, 1861, at Norfolk Navy Yard; went out of commission, June 29, 1865, at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $17,018.44. Description
 * White Rose, see Siren.
 * Wild Cat. Prize. Never libeled. Class: Sails; wood, copper fastened. Sold, tender, July 28, 1865, at Charleston, S. C., by Rear Admiral Radford, for $1,500. Description
 * Wilderness. Purchased at New York by Rear Admiral Gregory, May 30, 1864. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Sold at Boston, Mass., September 9, 1865, to Treasury Department, by Admiral Stringham, for $31,000. Purchased as the B. N. Creary. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $7,246.27. Behaves very well in a gale; steers very easily and well; rolls moderately. She is rather slight built; not very strong. Description
 * Willet Rowe, see Iris.
 * William Bacon. Purchased, September 6, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from Van Brunt &amp; Slaght. Class: Sailing schooner; wood. Sold at public auction July 20, 1865, at Washington, D. C., by William L. Wall &amp; Co., to Mr. White, for $5,600. Commissioned February 3, 1862, at New York Navy Yard; went out of commission June 17, 1865, at Washington Navy Yard. Repairs on her to January 1, 1863, cost $20,609.53. At a cost of $4,738.16 altered for naval service. Description
 * William Badger. Purchased, May 18-22, 1861, at New Bedford, Mass., by Commander S. L. Breese, from Henry F. Thomas. Class: Sails; storeship. Sold at public auction, October 17, 1865, at Beaufort, S. C., by Tomas C. Allen, to Captain James Abel, for $1,650. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $3,197.91. Formerly whale ship. Description
 * William G. Anderson. Purchased, August 23, 1861, at Boston, Mass., by board composed of J. M. Forbes et al. Class: Sails; wood. Sold, tender after aucion, August 28, 1866, at New York, by John Lenthal, to A. A. Low &amp; Brother, for $12,600. Commissioned, October 2, 1861, at Boston Navy Yard. Captured the C. S. privateer Beauregard,  November 12, 1861. Total cost of  repairs while in Government service was $12,873.34. Description
 * William G. Fargo, see Honeysuckle.
 * Wm. G. Putnam. Purchsed, July 24, 1861, at New York, from Mr. Hammond, by George D. Morgan. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Sold, tender after auction, to Light-house Board, June 20, 1865, for $8,000, by Navy Department. Name changed from General Putnam to William G. Putnam. Total cost of repair while in the naval service was $26,639.43. Engine and boiler in good order; hull tight and strong; she was yellow-metaled in 1863. Protected from musketry by iron plates around the forecastle, quarter deck, and wheelhouse. Description
 * William H. Brown. Transferred, September 30, 1862, by War Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer. Sold at public auction, August 17, 1865, at Mound City, Ill., by Solomon A. Silver, to R. R. Hudson et al., for $10,700. Description
 * William L. Jones. Purchased, August 13, 1861, at Baltimore, Md., by Captain H. S. Stellwagen Schooner. Purchased to sink. Stone fleet. Description
 * William Lee. Purchased, November 19, 1861, at Newport, R. I., by G D. Morgan &amp; R. H. Chappell. Ship. Purchased to sink. Stone fleet. Description
 * Willie Gamage, see Gamage.
 * Winnebago. Built by contract with James B. Eads, at St. Louis, Mo., where she was launched, July 4, 1863. Class: Steamer; double-turreted monitor; ironclad. Sold at public auction September 12, 1874, at New Orleans, La., to Nathaniel McKay, for $7,350. Contract price was $313,000; the above given price includes all extras. For extra iron plating, Mr. Eads was allowed $13,087.85. Name changed to Tornado, June 15, 1869; renamed Winnebago, August 10,1869. She was laid up, September 27, 1865, on the Algiers side of the Mississippi River, 1 mile below Slaughter House Point. Description
 * Winnipec. Built by contract with H. Loring, Boston, Mass., where she was launched, August 20, 1864. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; iron. Sold, June 17, 1869, to Thomas Clyde. Cost of extra work and repairs while in naval service was $44,034.50. Description