USS Montgomery: A Civilian Ship Purchased by the U.S. Navy

From Atlantic Divers  "Max's Wreck -- Montgomery"

WRECK OF USS MONTGOMERY FOUND

This steamer was discovered by Atlantic Divers in 1989 on the dive boat  Down Deep.    The wreck was named after  Captain Bob Meimbresse's dog that was on board that day.  It has recently been identified as the USS Montgomery.

In 2008,  Gene Peterson and Harold Moyers on the dive boat Big Mac recovered a bilge pump which positively identified the site.

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The USS Montgomery was a 797-iron (burden) wooden screw steamship, built in New York City in 1858.  She was chartered by the U.S. Navy in May 1861 and placed in commission as the USS Montgomery.  The Navy purchased her in August of that year.

During June-November 1861, she served in the Gulf of Mexico enforcing the blockade of western Florida.  Later that year, she was shifted to the  northern Gulf coast.  On 4 December 1861, in Mississippi Sound,  she engaged the Confederate steamers Florida (not the commerce raider) and Pamlico.

--Old B-Runner