Saturday, April 27, 2013

USS Preble Sinks Today, 150 Years Ago

In Naval happenings, I wrote about the USS Preble catching fire off Pensacola, Florida, today, 150 years ago and sinking.  I'd never heard of the ship's role in the Civil War and wasn't able to find out a lot about it, just Wiki.

Sixteen gun sloop-of-war built at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine and launched in 1839 and commissioned 1840.  Named after Commodore Edward Preble (1761-1807).  It was 117-feet long, 32-foot beam and mounted sixteen 32-pounders.

Served in the Mediterranean and African Squadron as well as the Mexican War.  Made trip to Hong Kong and played a part in the opening of Japan to outside trade.

Became a practice ship for midshipmen at the Naval Academy until place in ordinary in 1856.

Recommissioned in the Civil War, served in the Gulf Blockading Squadron.  Guardship at Pensacola, Florida, until April 27, 1863, when it caught fire due to a careless crewman.  It was abandoned and exploded.

In 1963, Navy divers discovered the wreck and recovered many artifacts.

Old B-R'er



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