USS Mist (1864)

History
United States
Laid downdate unknown
Launched1864
Acquired23 December 1864
Commissioned3 March 1865
DecommissionedAugust 1865
Stricken1865 (est.)
FateSold, 17 August 1865
General characteristics
Displacement232 tons
Length157 ft 3 in (47.93 m)
Beam30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
Draughtnot known
Propulsion
Speed5.5 knots
Complementnot known
Armament
  • two 20-pounder guns
  • four 24-pounder guns
  • one 12-pounder gun
Armourtinclad

The first USS Mist was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was planned by the Union Navy for use as a gunboat stationed off Confederate waterways to prevent their trading with foreign countries.

Mist, a stern wheel steamer built at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1864, was purchased at Cincinnati, Ohio, 23 December 1864, and commissioned at Mound City, Illinois, 3 March 1865, Acting Master W. E. H. Fontress in command.

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron[edit]

Mist was converted into a gunboat during the first 4 months of 1865. The new tinclad was assigned to the 8th District, Mississippi Squadron and patrolled the river protecting steamers and river settlements from desperadoes.

End-of-war decommissioning, sale, and subsequent civilian career[edit]

Mist was removed from naval duty 4 August; decommissioned at Mound City and was sold at public auction to C. C. Hutchinson 17 August 1865. Documented as a merchant ship, she served American commerce on the Mississippi River and its tributaries until 1874.

References[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.