USS Beauregard (1861)

History
Confederate States
Name: Beauregard
Owner: A group headed by A. F. W. Abrams
Launched: 1850[1]
Commissioned: Oct 14, 1861
Fate:
  • Captured by Union Navy forces,
  • Nov 12, 1861
Notes: ex-Priscilla C. Ferguson
General characteristics (Confederate Privateer)
Type: Schooner
Displacement: 101 tons[1][2]
Propulsion: Sail
Speed: 7 knots[2][3]
Complement: 40
Armament: 1 24pdr Rifle
United States
Name: USS Beauregard
Namesake: Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard[3]
Acquired: Feb 24, 1862
Commissioned: Mar 28, 1862
General characteristics (US Navy)
Type: Schooner
Displacement: 101 tons[1][2]
Propulsion: Sail
Speed: 7 knots[2][3]
Armament:
  • 1 30pdr Rifle
  • 2 12pdr Howitzers

The USS Beauregard began the war as a Confederate privateer.[2] The Union Navy acquired the schooner from the prize court and outfitted the vessel for blockade duty.

Privateer Service

As one method to counter Union naval power, the Confederacy issued letters of marque to facilitate the use of privateers against northern shipping. The schooner Priscilla C. Ferguson was acquired by a group headed by A. F. W. Abrams of Charleston, S.C. for service as a privateer.[2] The vessel was renamed Beauregard and fitted out with a single 24 pound rifled gun and accommodations for a 40 man crew.[2] The privateer Beauregard was commissioned in Charleston, S.C. on October 14, 1861.[2] The ship’s preparations did not go unreported, by October 24, 1861 a northern ship master notified Secretary of the Navy Welles that both the Beauregard and Dixie were at Charleston preparing for service as privateers.[2]

Captain Gilbert Hay, with 2 lieutenants, 1 purser, and 23 crewmen, succeeded in running the blockade unobserved on November 5, 1861.[2] During the Beauregard’s time as an active privateer, no captures were reported. On November 12, 1861[3] Lt. William C. Rogers commanding the USS William G. Anderson spotted the Beauregard in the Bahama Channel.[2] Even though the Beauregard sailed with fewer men than originally planned Lt. Rogers’ attention was attracted to the schooner when only 4 miles off by "many men on her decks."[2] After a 2 hour chase[2] the Anderson was able capture the vessel. When Captain Hay finally surrendered he presented his letter of marque from Jefferson Davis to his captors.[2] After taking control of the Beauregard and putting a prize crew on board Lt. Rogers proceeded to take the prisoners and the prize to Key West for adjudication.[2] The Anderson and its prize arrived in Florida on November 19, 1861.[2] The prize court condemned the schooner with gross proceeds of $2,146.67 and $1,854.92 for distribution after costs and expenses.[4]

Union Navy Service

The U.S. Navy purchased the Beauregard from the prize court for $1,810 on February 24, 1862[2] and began fitting the schooner for service with the blockading squadrons. To replace the 24 pound rifled that the privateer’s crew spiked,[2] the navy armed the Beauregard with 1 30 pound rifle and 2 12 pound howitzers.[3] The ship was allocated to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron then commanded by Flag Officer William McKean. Flag Officer McKean assigned Acting Master David Stearns to command the Beauregard[5] and the ship was commissioned on March 28, 1862.[3]

During the Beauregard’s service with the Eastern Gulf squadron she patrolled the coasts of Florida and was credited with capturing 11 blockade runners. Like other ships assigned to blockade duty the Beauregard was called upon to participate in attacks against coastal locations. On April 2, 1863 she supported an attack against Tampa, Florida and on July 28, 1863 she was in action at New Smyrna, Florida.[3][6]

Prizes and Adjudication

Date Ship Type Prize Name Gross Proceeds Costs and Expenses Amount for Distribution Where Adjudicated Sent to 4th Auditor for Distribution Vessels Entitled to Share
Jun 20, 1862[6] Lucy[6]
Aug 26, 1863[6] Phoebe[6]
Oct 6, 1863[6] Last Trial[6]
Nov 5, 1863[6] Schooner[7] Volante[6] $1,355.11[7] $$144.20[7] $1,210.91[7] Key West[7] Nov 17, 1864[7] Beauregard[7]
Jan 15, 1864[6] Schooner[8] Minnie[6] $3,362.16[8] $296.76[8] $3,065.40[8] Key West[8] Apr 26, 1865}[8] Beauregard[8]
Jan 28, 1864[6] Sloop[9] Racer[6] $6,350.38[9] $741.13[9] $5609.25[9] Key West[9] Mar 22, 1865[9] Beauregard[9]
Mar 11, 1864[6] Sloop[10] Hannah[6] $339.50[10] $123.00[10] $216.59[10] Key West[10] Mar 22, 1865[10] Beauregard[10]
Mar 11, 1864[6] Schooner[11] Linda[6] $1,237.65[11] $171.50[11] $1,066.15[11] Key West[11] Mar 22, 1865[11] Beauregard, Norfolk Packet[11]
Apr 7, 1864[6] Schooner[7] Spunky[6] $5,396.81[7] $484.02[7] $4,912.79[7] St. Augustine[7] Mar 28, 1865[7] Beauregard[7]
Apr 18, 1864[6] Schooner[8] Oramoneta[6] $856.20[8] $249.96[8] $606.24[8] St. Augustine[8] Nov 4, 1864[8] Beauregard[8]
May 12, 1864[6] Sloop[9] Resolute[6] $563.25[9] $122.53[9] $440.79[9] Key West[9] Mar 22, 1865[9] Beauregard[9]

Post War Record

The schooner was sold at Key West, Florida, June 28, 1865.[3][6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Silverstone, Warships, p. 144
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 DANFS (CS)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DANFS (US)
  4. ↑ Porter, Naval History, p. 834
  5. ↑ ORN I, v. 17, p.193
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Silverstone, Warships, p. 145
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Porter, Naval History, p. 842.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Porter, Naval History, p. 840.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Porter, Naval History, p. 841.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Porter, Naval History, p. 838.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Porter, Naval History, p. 839.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entries can be found Confederate service here and Union service here.

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