USS De Soto-- Part 3: Assigned to Gulf Blockading Squadron

The De Soto was fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and command was given to Commander William M. Walker.  On 19 November 1861, she left New York with supplies and ordnance for Fort Pickens, Pensacola.  From there, the USS De Soto went to the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River and joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron 11 December 1861.

She patrolled near Barataria Bay.

Her relatively shallow draft and great steam speed, augmented by sails gave her a big advantage over blockade runners.

I read that her draft was 16 feet, which is not shallow in my way of thinking.  It appears the De Soto usually captured sailing vessels.

However, there was a collision with the French steam warship Milan.

--Old B-Runner