USS Nereus (1863)
| History | |
|---|---|
 
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| Name: | USS Nereus |
| Namesake: | Nereus |
| Laid down: | 1863 |
| Acquired: | by purchase, 5 October 1863 |
| Commissioned: | 19 September 1864 |
| Decommissioned: | 15 May 1865 |
| Fate: |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Screw Steamer |
| Displacement: | 1,244 long tons (1,264 t) |
| Length: | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Beam: | 34 ft 6 in (10.52 m) |
| Draft: | 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 20 ft 8 in (6.30 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam engine |
| Speed: | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
| Complement: | 164 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: | 4 in (100 mm) |
The first USS Nereus, a screw steamer built at New York in 1863, was purchased by the Union Navy from William P. Williams on 5 October 1863; and commissioned at New York Navy Yard 19 April 1864, Commander John C. Howell in command.
The schooner-rigged steamer joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron upon arriving Hampton Roads on 28 April 1864. She was assigned to the critical New Inlet station in the blockade of Wilmington, North Carolina. She continued helping to seal off this important Confederate port until getting underway for the North on 17 August.
The Nereus arrived in New York two days later for repairs. At this time Confederate cruiser CSS Tallahassee was alarming the North by the startling success of her operations against Union merchant shipping. Nereus departed New York on 3 September 1864, escorting the steamer SS North Star to Aspinwall with cargo to be carried overland across the Isthmus of Panama en route to California. She returned to New York on the 26th, for overdue repairs.
Back in top trim, Nereus departed New York escorting USS Dictator to Hampton Roads. From Norfolk she towed the single-turret monitor USS Saugus to Wilmington for the attack on Fort Fisher. Arriving Christmas morning, Nereus joined in the bombardment of the Confederate works and supported the abortive amphibious attack until the last Union troops had re-embarked.
Nereus remained in North Carolina waters until Rear Admiral Porter launched his successful attack against Fort Fisher on 13 January 1865. In the three-day struggle, a classic example of Army—Navy coordination, Union soldiers, sailors, and marines, supported by the deadly effective fire from Porter's warships, overran Wilmington's defenses, closing the vital Confederate seaport. Nereus crewman Thomas Kane was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in this action.
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