USS Elfin (1864)

The first USS Elfin was a light draft gunboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a patrol vessel on Confederate waterways.

History
United States
Orderedas W. C. Mann
Laid downdate unknown
Launcheddate unknown
AcquiredFebruary 23, 1864
In service(circa) February 1864
Out of serviceNovember 4, 1864
Stricken1864 (est.)
Fate
  • Destroyed in combat
  • November 4, 1864
General characteristics
Displacement192 tons
Length155 ft (47 m)
Beam31 ft (9.4 m)
Depth of hold4 ft 4 in (1.32 m)
Propulsionsteam engine
Speednot known
Complement50
Armamenteight 24-pounder howitzers

She was purchased as W. C. Mann by Admiral David Dixon Porter at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 23, 1864, and placed under the command of Acting Master A. F. Thompson.

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron, she cruised in the 7th District between Caledonia and Mound City, Illinois, for a month, then took up duty in the 9th District extending from Cairo, Illinois, to the head of the Tennessee River.

Elfin destroyed in combat with Confederate shore batteries

On November 4, 1864 Elfin was operating with USS Tawah and USS Key West in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. After a severe engagement of several hours with heavy Confederate shore batteries it was considered impossible to save the three vessels, and they were burned to prevent capture.

References

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

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