USS Nita-- Part 1: Former Blockade Runner

Yesterday, I wrote about this ship and the USS Hendrick Hudson attacking a Confederate salt work near Tampa, Florida.

From Wikipedia.

The USS Nita was a captured Confederate steamer built in Mobile, Alabama in 1856 and captured carrying food and medicine from Havana.

It was 210 tons, 145 feet long, 22.4 foot beam, with 5 foot draft which made it a good choice for operating in shallow water.  Crew of 46 with armament of one  12-pounder howitzer and two 12-pounder smoothbores.

After being condemned in prize court, the U.S. Navy bought her  10 September 1863. and commissioned 8 January 1864, with Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Robert B. Smith in command.  It was assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and operated for the remainder of the war primarily between the mouth of the Suwanee River and the Anclote Keys.

--Old B-Runner