From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. IA, pp. 448-49.

The home of George Washington on the Potomac River near Alexandria, Va.

I

(Gbt: t. 625; l. 175' 7"; b. 22' 6"; dr. 14'; s. 12 k.; a. 22 April 1861 1 32 pdr.)

The first Mount Vernon, a wooden-screw steamer, was built in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1859; chartered by the Navy in May 1861 for 3 months; purchased by the Navy at New York 12 September 1861; and commissioned at New York, Comdr. Oliver S. Glissio n in command.

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After charter, Mount Vernon convoyed two steamers and two sailing ships to the Gulf of Mexico in May. While in the gulf, she took brigantine East, suspected of communicating with Confederate-held shore territory, and towed damaged Parkersburg from Pensacola to Key West. Ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., 3 July, Mount Vernon gave refuge to Unionists preparing to travel north.

From 17 July, Mount Vernon patrolled in and off the Rappahannock River, capturing sloop Wild Pigeon in an attempted escape at night 20 July. On 1 September she sailed for Mobjack Bay to relieve Daylight, and in November proceeded to Beaufort, N.C. She engaged British schooner Phantom off Cape Lookout 2 December, and on the 31st sent an armed party to aid in firing a ship being used by the Confederates as a beacon.

In continued blockade and patrol service off North Carolina, Mount Vernon took British schooners British Queen 1 March 1862 and Mary Jane 24 March. With Cambridge and Fernandino, Mount Vern on chased Confederate schooner Kate ashore near Fort Casswell 2 April, and later in the month captured St. George.

After joining in the attack on Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point 2 May, Mount Vernon returned to blockade duty, playing a key role in the Navy's successful efforts to block the flow of materials from overseas and from one point to anot her in the Confederacy, an essential component of Union victory. She took Constitution 23 May, forced an unknown schooner to ground and set herself on fire 26 June, then in July took up close blockade of New Inlet and Little River Inlet. With Ca mbridge, in December Mount Vernon chased another schooner ashore, a feat duplicated 12 June 1863. Mount Vernon, James Adger, and Iroquois together cut out a blockade runner 1 August near New Inlet.

Arriving Newport News early in 1864, Mount Vernon remained there until May 1864. She was in the group of Union ships attacked by North Carolina off the mouth of Cape Rear River in May, and she searched for Florida in Jul y. She Joined in the abortive attack on Fort Fisher 23 and 24 December, and renewed the attack in mid-January 1866. Decommissioning at New York 27 June 1865, she was sold at public auction 12 July 1865