This ship had a very short US career in the war and a fairly short CS one as well. Probably the only ship to be sunk twice.
Launched in 1847, this sloop of war was first commanded by Franklin Buchanan, who earned much fame as a Confederate Naval officer.
The ship was 150 feet long with a 36-foot beam and 210 crew. Powered by sails and mounted four 8-inch and eighteen 32-pdr. cannons.
It served in the Mexican War and in the African Squadron, charged with intercepting slave ships.
It had been overhauled completely and waiting to go to sea at Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia when it was scuttled April 20, 1861.
The Confederates later raised it in June and fitted the ship out as a floating battery to protect Craney Island and Norfolk. It was sunk as an obstruction in the Elizabeth River May 10, 1862, when Norfolk was being abandoned. The US Navy raised it April 22, 1863, and the hulk sold at auction in Norfolk February 8, 1864.
Sink Me Once, Shame On You. --Old B-Runner
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