USS Pawtuxet

The USS
Pawtuxet, a side wheel steamer, was launched by the
Portsmouth N.H., Navy Yard 19 March 1864; delivered to the Navy
at New York 18 May 1864 and commissioned 26 August 1865, Comdr.
J. H. Spotts in command.
The USS
Pawtuxet was at the two Battles of Fort Fisher, North
Carolina.
Following commissioning the USS Pawtuxet was ordered
to the Grand Banks to join the quest for the Confederate raider
Tallahassee, but before she could get underway Tallahassee had
returned safely to Wilmington. The USS Pawtuxet
was then ordered south to join the North Atlantic Blockading
Squadron.Joining the 3rd Division in October she was ordered to
cruise off the Carolina coast, primarily between Capes Lookout
and Fear.
At the end of December she bombarded the
defenses at Wilmington in support of the first assault against
Fort Fisher. Returning 13 January, she again turned her guns on
that fort and sent men and boats to participate in the
successful assault on the 15th. Then she resumed blockade
duties. The USS Pawtuxet was shifted to the
Virginia coast in April, she decommissioned at New York 15 June
1865 and was sold 15 October 1867.
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