USS Carnation was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

History
Union Navy Jack United States
Orderedas Ajax
BuilderNeafie & Levy
Laid downdate unknown
Launched1863 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acquired24 August 1863
Commissioned20 October 1863
Decommissioned8 July 1865
Stricken1865 (est.)
FateSold, 10 August 1865
General characteristics
Displacement82 tons
Length73 ft 6 in (22.40 m)
Beam17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Draught7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Propulsion
Speed10 knots
Complement19
Armament
  • one 20-pounder rifled gun
  • one 12-pounder rifled gun

Built in Philadelphia in 1863

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Carnation was built in 1863 by Neafie and Levy of Philadelphia as Ajax; purchased by the Navy and renamed Carnation 24 August 1863; commissioned 20 October 1863 and reported to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Civil War service

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Carnation arrived on station off Charleston, South Carolina, 6 November 1863. Serving the squadron in its effective work of preventing overseas supplies from reaching the Confederacy, Carnation ferried men and supplies, and performed picket duty. She served in the South Carolina area until 27 July 1865, when she sailed for Philadelphia.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

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Carnation was decommissioned 8 July 1865, and sold 10 August 1865.

References

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