USS R. R. Cuyler facts for kids
USS R. R. Cuyler
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Quick facts for kids History |
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  United States |
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| Cost | $142,000 |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Launched | 1860, in New York |
| Acquired | May 1861 |
| Commissioned | circa June 1861 |
| Decommissioned | 1 July 1865 |
| Stricken | est. 1865 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 1,200 tons |
| Length | 237 ft (72 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m) |
| Draught | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 14 knots |
| Complement | not known |
| Armament |
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The USS R. R. Cuyler was a special kind of ship called a steamer. It served in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. This war was fought between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states (the Confederate States of America).
The R. R. Cuyler was made into a gunboat by the Union Navy. Its main job was to help with the Union blockade. This blockade tried to stop ships from getting in or out of Confederate ports. The ship was named after the president of the Central Georgia Railroad.
Contents
Building the R. R. Cuyler in New York
The R. R. Cuyler was built in 1860. A man named Samuel Sneeden built it in New York City. Before the war, it carried goods and people between New York, Havana, and New Orleans.
When the American Civil War began in March 1861, the ship was put out of service. The War Department then rented it. It helped transport soldiers from New York to Washington, D.C.. In May 1861, the Navy bought the ship.
The R. R. Cuyler's Civil War Service
Helping with the Gulf Blockade
In early June, the R. R. Cuyler left New York City. Captain Francis B. Ellison was in charge of the ship. On June 9, it arrived at Key West, Florida. From there, it went north to help block the port of Tampa, Florida.
Even though some of its crew got sick, the R. R. Cuyler helped capture and burn a ship called Finland. This happened in Apalachicola Bay on August 26. Later, on November 22, it stopped and helped capture two other steamers. These were named A. J. View and Henry Lewis.
In December, the R. R. Cuyler also captured several smaller ships. These included the sloops Advocate, Express, and Osceola. It also captured the schooners Delight and Olive. On January 20, 1863, near Mobile Bar, the ship captured the schooner J. W. Wilder.
Two months later, it captured the schooner Grace E. Baker near Cuba. On May 3, it captured the schooner Jane while at sea.
During May, the R. R. Cuyler was stationed near Mobile Bay. It captured the steamer Eugenie and the schooners Hunter and Isabel. On July 14, it added the steamer Kate Dale to its list of captured ships.
After this, the gunboat was told to look for a Confederate ship called Tallahassee. While on this mission on December 4, it stopped the steamer Armstrong. After searching, they found illegal goods and seized the ship.
Joining the North Atlantic Blockade
The R. R. Cuyler later joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. This group of ships worked near Wilmington, North Carolina. It stayed there until the end of the Civil War.
The ship helped attack Fort Fisher on December 24 and 25, 1864. This fort was in the Cape Fear River. It also helped capture Fort Anderson nearby. This happened on February 18 and 19, 1865.
After the War: Sale and Final Journey
After the Civil War ended, the R. R. Cuyler went back to New York City. It was taken out of service on July 1, 1865. Then, it was sold at an auction on August 15 to Russel Sturgis.
In December 1866, the country of Republic of Colombia bought the ship. It was renamed El Rayo after it arrived at Cartagena. The ship stayed in Cartagena Harbor for many months. This was because of a disagreement between governments.
In mid-September 1867, a big storm hit. The ship was blown away from where it was anchored. It crashed onto a coral reef and was left there.
Remembering the R. R. Cuyler
One of the cannons from the R. R. Cuyler is still around today. It was a 30-pound cannon. The United States Department of the Navy gave it to the town of Oyster Bay, New York.
President Theodore Roosevelt showed the cannon to the public in June 1903. You can see this cannon today in Townsend Park in Oyster Bay.
See also
In Spanish: USS RR Cuyler para niños
