USS Beauregard (1861)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Confederate States
|
|
| Name: | Beauregard |
| Owner: | A group headed by A. F. W. Abrams |
| Launched: | 1850 |
| Commissioned: | Oct 14, 1861 |
| Fate: |
|
| Notes: | ex-Priscilla C. Ferguson |
| General characteristics (Confederate Privateer) | |
| Type: | Schooner |
| Displacement: | 101 tons |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Speed: | 7 knots |
| Complement: | 40 |
| Armament: | 1 24pdr Rifle |
  United States
|
|
| Name: | USS Beauregard |
| Namesake: | Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard |
| Acquired: | Feb 24, 1862 |
| Commissioned: | Mar 28, 1862 |
| General characteristics (US Navy) | |
| Type: | Schooner |
| Displacement: | 101 tons |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Speed: | 7 knots |
| Armament: |
|
The USS Beauregard began the war as a Confederate privateer. The Union Navy acquired the schooner from the prize court and outfitted the vessel for blockade duty.
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. The vessel was renamed Beauregard and fitted out with a single 24 pound rifled gun and accommodations for a 40 man crew. The privateer Beauregard was commissioned in Charleston, S.C. on October 14, 1861. 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.
Captain Gilbert Hay, with 2 lieutenants, 1 purser, and 23 crewmen, succeeded in running the blockade unobserved on November 5, 1861. During the Beauregard’s time as an active privateer, no captures were reported. On November 12, 1861 Lt. William C. Rogers commanding the USS William G. Anderson spotted the Beauregard in the Bahama Channel. 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." After a 2 hour chase the Anderson was able capture the vessel. When Captain Hay finally surrendered he presented his letter of marque from Jefferson Davis to his captors. 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. The Anderson and its prize arrived in Florida on November 19, 1861. The prize court condemned the schooner with gross proceeds of $2,146.67 and $1,854.92 for distribution after costs and expenses.
The U.S. Navy purchased the Beauregard from the prize court for $1,810 on February 24, 1862 and began fitting the schooner for service with the blockading squadrons. To replace the 24 pound rifled that the privateer’s crew spiked, the navy armed the Beauregard with 1 30 pound rifle and 2 12 pound howitzers. 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 and the ship was commissioned on March 28, 1862.
...
Wikipedia