USS Kensington (1862)
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name: | USS Kensington |
| Builder: | J. W. Lynn, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Launched: | 1858 |
| Acquired: | by purchase, 27 January 1862 |
| Commissioned: | 15 February 1862 |
| Decommissioned: | 5 May 1865 |
| Fate: |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Steamship |
| Displacement: | 1,053 long tons (1,070 t) |
| Length: | 195 ft (59 m) |
| Beam: | 31 ft 10 in (9.70 m) |
| Draft: | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam engine |
| Speed: | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement: | 72 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: |
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The second USS Kensington was a steamship in the United States Navy.
Kensington was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by J. W. Lynn in 1858 and was purchased by the Union Navy at Boston, Massachusetts, 27 January 1862. She commissioned at Boston Navy Yard on 15 February, Acting Master Frederick Crocker in command.
The wooden steamer departed Boston on 24 February 1862 for the Gulf of Mexico, but heavy winds, rough seas, and engine trouble required her to stop at Charleston, South Carolina, for repairs. While, at Charleston she was of great service to ships of the North Atlantic Squadron furnishing them with fresh water. The supply and water vessel resumed her voyage in April and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at New Orleans, Louisiana, 4 May.
After bringing water and supplies to Flag Officer David Farragut's ships blockading the Gulf Coast, Kensington was ordered to ascend the Mississippi River towing Horace Beals and Sarah Bruen, both of Commodore David D. Porter's Mortar Flotilla. While passing Ellis Cliffs, the three ships came under fire of Confederate batteries. Their answering salvos silenced the Southern guns enabling the Union force to continue passage to Vicksburg. After placing her charges in position to bombard the cliff side batteries which defended Vicksburg, Kensington remained with Porter's flotilla issuing water and supplies and from time to time assisting sailing ships to change positions.
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