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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Gertrude

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Civil War Medal

Screw Steamer:

Built in 1863 as the iron screw steamer Gertrude by Barclay, Curie & Co. Ltd, of Glasgow at Greenock, Scotland

Gertrude was captured, 16 April 1863, by USS Vanderbilt off Eleuthera Island

Purchased from the New York Prize Court by the Navy, 4 June 1863

Fitted out at New York Navy Yard

Commissioned USS Gertrude,22 July 1863, at New York Navy Yard, Acting Master Walter K. Cressy in command

USS Gertrude was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and arrived off Mobile in early August

On 16 August Gertrude captured Confederate blockade runner Warrior following a 9-hour chase

After taking her prize to New Orleans, Gertrude was assigned blockade duty off that port

She served as a blockading ship, alternating between New Orleans and Mobile, until May 1864, and was credited with the capture of schooner Ellen, 16 January 1864

In May 1864 Gertrude was assigned to blockade duty off the Texas coast, and spent most of the next year off Galveston were she took Eco, 19 February 1865

Gertrude also captured over 50 bales of cotton, 19 April 1865, which were thrown overboard by Confederate blockade runner Denbigh during her escape from the blockading fleet

Gertrude was decommissioned, 11 August 1865. at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

Sold 30 November at New York to George Wright

Redocumented as Gussie Telfair in 1866 and sailed as a merchantman until 1880

Final Disposition, ran aground at Coos Bay, OR. 25 September 1880

Specifications:
Displacement 350 t.
Length 156'
Beam 21'
Draft 11'
Depth of Hold 12'
Speed unknown
Complement unknown

Armament

two 12-pdr rifles

six 24-pdr howitzers

Propulsion steam

one propeller

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
098685101	336k	SS Gussie Telfair (ex-USS Gertrude) as she appeared shortly before running aground in Coos Bay, Oregon. The sleek lines and stealthy portholes of the old blockade runner are still visible, despite the conspicuous white superstructures that had been added later for passenger comfort. Photo from Coos County Historical Museum. Image from the following website offbeat Oregon		Robert Hurst

USS Gertrude
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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Last Updated 2 October 2020