From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

A number of small towns in the United States, and a county and town in Ireland.

(SwStr: t. 1,080; l. 200'; b. 36'; dr. 8'; s. 10 k.; cpl. 130; a. 2 30-pdr. r., 2 12-pdr. sb.)

Donegal, a side wheel steamer, was built in 1860 at Wilmington, Del., and used as a Confederate blockade runner, occasionally carrying the name Austin. She was captured 6 June 1864 off Mobile Bay by Metacomet; sent to Philadelphia, Pa., for condemnation; purchased by the Navy and fitted for sea at Philadelphia Navy Yard; and commissioned 3 September 1864, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. H. West in command.

Donegal stood down the Delaware River after her commissioning for Charleston, S.C., with supplies and a large number of officers and men for ships of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She returned to Philadelphia 16 September, and between 24 September and 12 December made four similar voyages.

Later, in 1865, she patrolled the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia until 20 August when she sailed for New York, arriving 4 days later. She rescued the crew of McDonough which sank on the 23d while being towed to New York. Donegal was decommissioned 8 September 1865 and sold 27 September 1865.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.fr)