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USS Petrel (I)

Schooner:
  • Built in 1846 for the Mexican Government by Brown & Bell, New York City
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Purchased by the United States Navy, 9 June 1846, at the outset of the Mexican War
  • Commission USS Petrel, date unknown, LT. T.D. Shaw, in command
  • USS Petrel arrived off Vera Cruz 21 July
  • On 7 August she participated in the first attack on Alvarado, where the Mexican Fleet lay
  • USS Princeton, USS Mississippi, USS Cumberland, and USS Raritan bombarded the port from deep water while schooners USS Bonito, USS Flirt, USS Petrel and USS Reefer tried unsuccessfully to run up against the strong current
  • When the weather began to deteriorate COMO. Conner postponed the assault and withdrew to Anton Lizardo
  • On 15 October Petrel participated in the second Alvarado attack
  • USS Mississippi bombarded while the "mosquito" fleet, divided into two divisions, entered the river. Steamer USS Vixen towed Bonito and Reefer while steamer USRC McLane towed USRC Forward, USS Nonala, and Petrel. Once again the attack failed because of bad weather
  • Seeking a base for the invasion of the Central Valley of Mexico, COMO. Conner attacked Tampico
  • Most of the Home Squadron including Petrel carried out the assault 15 November
  • No opposition was met and three excellent schooners were captured
  • The Mexicans had retreated to Panuco, 8 miles up the Tampico River
  • On 18 October COMO. Conner dispatched Petrel and steamer USS Spitfire to overtake the enemy and destroy any military stores
  • Panuco was surrendered without a fight, and a landing party destroyed war material and spiked several cannon
  • In late 1846 Petrel along with Mississippi, Vixen, and Bonita attacked Carmen, which surrendered without firing a shot
  • Petrel and Vixen were sent to blockade Tabasco
  • Petrel was inactive during the winter months of 1846-47 because of violent coastal storms
  • On 8 March 1847 along with other members of the "mosquito" fleet, Petrel provided inshore support for the Vera Cruz Landings
  • On 22 March the "mosquito" fleet maneuvered to within 1,000 yards of the city's walls and fought a one-hour gun duel with the enemy
  • The following day the bombardment was repeated at 800 yards off Fort San Juan de Ulua, COMO. Perry, fearing for the vessels, tried to recall the commander of the "mosquito" fleet, CDR. Tattnall
  • Tatnall did not see the recall, and the Commodore was forced to sent a long boat
  • The effect of the fire was devastating, and surprisingly the "mosquito" fleet suffered only light damage. Vera Cruz surrendered 27 March
  • On 18 April Petrel participated in the attack on Tuxpan. This town lies 9 miles up the Tuxpan River
  • In 1847 the entire distance from the mouth of the river to the town was covered with thick jungle growth
  • The enemy had constructed 3 well positioned forts on bluffs overlooking bends in the river
  • COMO. Perry arrived off the mouth of the river with 15 vessels. At 10 p.m. 3 light-draft steamers towed schooners Bonita, Petrel, and Reefer up the river
  • Bombships USS Etna, USS Hecla, and USS Vesuvius followed closely behind, while 30 surf boats brought up the rear
  • A breeze sprang up and the schooners were cast off
  • Upon approaching the town, the squadron came under heavy fire from Fort La Pena; however, steamer Spitfire was the only vessel damaged
  • A landing party of 1,500 men captured the town as the Mexicans retreated in haste
  • Petrel spent the remainder of the war as dispatch boat
  • After the Mexican War she was turned over to the Coastal Survey
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 74t.
    Length 68'8"
    Beam 19'
    Depth of Hold 6'6"
    Draft unknown
    Speed 8kts
    Complement unknown
    Armament one 32-pdr
    Propulsion sail
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    Petrel (I)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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    Last Updated 12 August 2022