USS Preble (1839) facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | USS Preble |
| Builder | Portsmouth Navy Yard |
| Launched | 13 June 1839 |
| Commissioned | 1840 |
| Fate | Exploded and sunk, 27 April 1863 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Sloop-of-war |
| Displacement | 556 long tons (565 t) |
| Length | 117 ft (36 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Armament | 16 × 32-pounder guns |
The USS Preble was a sailing warship used by the United States Navy. It was a type of ship called a sloop-of-war, which means it had one gun deck and carried 16 guns. The Preble was built in Kittery, Maine, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. It was launched on June 13, 1839, and started its service in 1840. The ship was named after a famous naval officer, Commodore Edward Preble.
Early Missions of the Preble
The USS Preble began its journey by sailing to Labrador. After that, it traveled to the Mediterranean Sea in 1843. In 1845, the ship joined the African Squadron. This group of ships worked to stop the illegal slave trade.
In 1846, the Preble sailed to New York. From there, it joined the Pacific Squadron. This squadron was on the West Coast of the United States. The Preble then took part in the Mexican–American War.
Journey to East Asia
In 1848, Captain James Glynn took the Preble on an important trip. First, they sailed to Hong Kong. Then, they went to Nagasaki, Japan.
Japan was a "closed country" at that time. This meant it did not allow many visitors. The Preble's mission was to pick up 14 American and Hawaiian sailors. These sailors had been shipwrecked there.
In November 1850, the Preble returned to the East Coast of the United States. For several years, it became a training ship. Young sailors, called midshipmen, learned their skills on board. In 1857, the ship was put into "ordinary service," meaning it was not actively used.
Serving in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, the Preble returned to active duty. In July 1861, it joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron. This group of Union ships tried to stop supplies from reaching the Confederate states.
The Preble helped blockade the Mississippi River. On October 12, 1861, it was stationed at the Head of the Passes. This is where the Mississippi River meets the sea.
A Confederate force attacked the Union ships there. This force included the CSS Manassas, which was the first ironclad warship. Because the Preble was a sailing ship, it could not fight the ironclad. It quickly retreated to safety in the Gulf of Mexico.
On April 27, 1863, the Preble was serving as a guard ship. It was anchored in Pensacola Bay, off Pensacola, Florida. Sadly, a fire started on board due to a crewman's mistake. The crew had to abandon the ship. The Preble then exploded and sank.
