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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Vixen (IV)

Sidewheel gunboat:
  • Built, date and location unknown.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Acquired by the Navy from the Coast Survey, 26 August 1861, for use as a reconnaissance vessel during the Civil War
  • Commissioned, USS Vixen, 31 July 1862
  • USS Vixen departed New York City bound for Port Royal, S.C., in October 1861 with orders to conduct survey work along the southern coast en route
  • Escorted by USS Ottawa and USS Seneca, she entered Port Royal Sound, 4 November to place buoys in the channel preparatory to Flag Officer Samuel F. Du Font's planned attack there, and drew scattered fire from the Confederate naval squadron under COMO. Josiah Tattnall
  • Vixen conducted local surveys following the Union capture of the sound on the 7th, and reconnoitered St. Helena Sound, S.C., on the 24th
  • In early December, a second survey was taken of St. Helena and, on the 18th, Pawnee, Seneca, and Vixen took possession of North and South Edisto Rivers, S.C., and drove a Confederate force from Rockville, S.C.
  • Vixen became disabled in January 1862 and was sent to the New York Navy Yard for repairs
  • Vixen depart the navy yard in August for Port Royal and duty with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron
  • She arrived on the 12th and, on the 16th, received orders to report to the blockade at Ossabow Sound, GA.
  • The gunboat participated in the expedition against the Confederate works at Pocotaligo, S.C., on 21 to 23 October, and returned to the New York Navy Yard shortly thereafter
  • Vixen decommissioned at New York Navy Yard, 8 November 1862, to be repaired and returned to the Coast Survey.
  • The historical record detailing the remainder of Vixen's career is incomplete. However, after her transfer to the Coast Survey, she conducted numerous explorations of the rivers and inlets along the coast of Florida in early 1863 and 1864.
  • She also participated in several routine patrol and reconnaissance expeditions along the southeastern coast during this time
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 300t.
    Length unknown
    Beam unknown
    Rig schooner
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament
    5 May 1862 - two 20-pdr Parrott rifles
    27 December 1862 - two 32-pdrs 27cwt
    Propulsion
    steam engine(s)
    boiler(s)
    two sidewheels
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    Vixen (IV)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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    Last Updated 12 August 2022