From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
A genus of flowers of the aster family.
Tug: t. 60; dr. 6'; s. 10 k.
Firefly, a paddle-wheel steam tug, was built by the Army at St. Louis, Mo' in 1862, turned over to the Navy 1 October 1862, and named Dahlia 24 October 1862. Assigned to the Mississippi Flotilla under Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, Dahlia was put into service with Acting Ensign T. Wright in command. She provided tug services in the Mississippi and its tributaries until 17 August 1865 when she was sold at Mound City, III.
Transcribed by: Bill Mozingo, wmozingo@attbi.com