USS Decatur (1839)
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USS Decatur
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Laid down: | date unknown |
| Launched: | 1838 |
| Acquired: | 1839 at New York Navy Yard |
| Commissioned: | circa 16 March 1840 |
| Decommissioned: | 20 June 1859 |
| In service: | March 1863 |
| Out of service: | 1865 |
| Struck: | 1865 (est.) |
| Fate: | sold, 17 August 1865 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 566 tons |
| Length: | 117 ft (36 m) |
| Beam: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draft: |
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| Propulsion: | sail |
| Speed: | 10 knots |
| Complement: | 150 officers and men |
| Armament: |
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USS Decatur was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the mid-19th century. She was commissioned to protect American interests in the South Atlantic Ocean, including the interception of ships involved in the African slave trade. Decatur served in both the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.
The sloop-of-war was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur (1779–1820), one of the United States Navy's greatest heroes and leaders of the first two decades of the 19th century.
Decatur, a large sloop of 566 tons, was built in 1838 and 1839 at New York Navy Yard. She was outfitted with heavy guns and manned by a crew of 150 officers and enlisted men.
Commanded by Commander H. W. Ogden, she sailed from New York 16 March 1840 for duty with the Brazil Squadron, returning to Norfolk, Virginia 28 February 1843. Her second cruise, from 5 August 1843 to 3 January 1845 was with the African Squadron for the suppression of the slave trade. She was placed in ordinary during 1845 and 1846.
Decatur sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia 1 March 1847, and after a brief stay at the Pensacola Navy Yard, arrived off Castle Juan de Uloa, Mexico, 14 April, for duty in the Mexican-American War.
Although she was too large to ascend the Tuxpan River, 14 of her officers and 118 men accompanied Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to attack Tuxpan. She also furnished 8 officers and 104 men for the capture of Tabasco from 14 to 16 June. She continued to cruise in Mexican waters until 2 September when she sailed for Boston, Massachusetts, arriving 12 November.
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