SS Bangor, USS Scourge
History
United States
NameSS Bangor
OrderedBangor Steam Navigation Co.
BuilderBetts, Harlan, and Hollingsworth
Launched29 May 1845
FateSold to U.S. Government on 30 December 1846
History
United States
NameUSS Scourge
Acquired30 December 1846
Commissioned1846
Decommissioned1848
FateSold to revolutionaries of Venezuela on 7 October 1848 and seized by State of Venezuela in 1848
General characteristics
TypeGunboat
Displacement231 long tons (235 t)
Length120 ft (37 m)
Beam23 ft (7.0 m)
Draft9 ft (2.7 m)
PropulsionSteam engine
Speed10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph)
Complement50 officers and enlisted
Armament
  • 1 × 32-pounder gun
  • 2 × 24-pounder carronades

USS Scourge was a steamer warship in service during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). She was the third United States Navy ship of that name.

Acquisition

The ship was launched on 29 May 1845 by Betts, Harlan, and Hollingsworth of Wilmington, Delaware as merchant steamer Bangor.[1] She was powered by twin screws and was the first iron-hulled, sea-going merchant vessel in the United States. She ran between Bangor and Boston in 1845 and 1846. On 1 September 1846 Bangor caught on fire and was run aground.[2] She was rebuilt and continued the Bangor-Boston route and she was bought by the U.S. Government on 30 December 1846 for the Mexican War. Once equipped, she was renamed Scourge.

Service

USS Scourge joined the forces of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in the Gulf of Mexico on March 29, 1847. She was part of the "Mosquito Flotilla" and was immediately assigned to take part in a concerted sea-land attack upon the port of Alvarado.

USS Scourge also participated in the captures of La Peña, Palma Sola, and Hospital Hill.

After the war

Scourge was sold in New Orleans, Louisiana to the Venezuelan revolutionaries on 7 October 1848. She was seized by State of Venezuela later that year.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wiggins, Kennard R. America's Anchor : A Naval History of the Delaware River and Bay, Cradle of the United States Navy. Jefferson, North Carolina. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-4766-7197-0. OCLC 1076408626.
  2. ^ Blume, Kenneth J. (2012). Historical dictionary of the U.S. maritime industry. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-8108-7963-8.
  3. ^ Hannings, Bud. The U.S.-Mexican War : a complete chronology. Jefferson, North Carolina. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-0-7864-7648-0.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, Fitch W. (Fitch Waterman) (1848). The broad pennant: or, A cruise in the United States flag ship of the Gulf squadron, during the Mexican difficulties. Leavitt, Trow, & Co. p. 385.
  5. ^ a b c Cooney, David M. (1965). A chronology of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1965. pp. 65–67.
  6. ^ a b Richmond enquirer. (Richmond, Va.), 27 July 1847. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
  7. ^ Taggart, Robert (1983). Evolution of the vessels engaged in the waterborne commerce of the United States. National Waterways Study, U.S. Army Engineer Water Resources Support Center, Institute for Water Resources. p. 51.
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