Edward Simpson's Ships-- Part 2: The USS Vixen During the Mexican War

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Edward Simpson served on the USS Vixen during the Mexican War.

From Wikipedia.

This was the third ship in the U.S. Navy by this name.  The first two were in the War of 1812 so I will write about them in my Not So Forgotten:  War of 1812 blog.

Of interest, the Vixen was originally built for the Mexican government by the firm of Brown & Bell of New York City before the U.S. Navy purchased it in 1846 and it was then used against the country it was originally built to protect.

It was 118 feet long, 22.6 foot beam paddle wheel steam ship mounting one 8-inch shell gun and two 32-pdr. carronades with a crew of 55.

Immediately after purchase, the Vixen deployed in the Gulf of Mexico, joining Commodore David Conner's blockade squadron.

--Old B-Runner