USS Dacotah (1859)

History
Name:	USS Dacotah
Laid down:	date unknown
Launched:	23 March 1859 by Norfolk Navy Yard
Commissioned:	1 May 1860
Decommissioned:	circa 26 July 1869
Struck:	1873 (est.)
Fate:	sold 30 May 1873 at Mare Island Navy Yard
General characteristics
Type:	Sloop-of-war
Displacement:	996 long tons (1,012 t)
Length:	Unknown
Beam:	Unknown
Draft:	14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Propulsion:	Sail, with steam engine backup
Speed:	11 kn (13 mph; 20 km/h)
Complement:	Unknown
Armament:	1 × 100-pounder rifle, 4 × 32-pounder guns, 1 × 10 in (250 mm) gun, 1 × 12-pounder rifle, 1 × one 12-pounder gun

USS Dacotah (1859) — the only United States Navy ship to be so named — was a large (996 long tons (1,012 t)) steam sloop that served the United States Navy in the Atlantic Ocean as well as in Pacific Ocean. When the American Civil War occurred, Dacotah assumed the role of a gunship in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.

When the war was over, Dacotah — who was named for the American Dakota tribe — resumed her role protecting American interests worldwide by showing her presence in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Dacotah was launched on 23 March 1859 by Norfolk Navy Yard and commissioned on 1 May 1860, Commander W. Radford in command.

Sailing from Norfolk, Virginia on 30 June 1860, Dacotah rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at Hong Kong on 8 January 1861 to join the East Indian Squadron. She cruised off China until returning to Hong Kong on 14 June. On 6 August, she sailed for home and arrived at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on 21 November for two weeks of patrolling before arriving at New York City on 20 December.

Out of commission from 31 December 1861-25 February 1862, Dacotah sailed on 9 March to join the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She served in the waters around Hampton Roads, Virginia from 13 March-14 September except for a cruise to New Orleans, Louisiana in May–June to carry messages to Flag Officer David Farragut.

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Wikipedia