USS Zeta (1844)

USS "Zeta" (1844) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a torpedo boat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.

Purchased at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"J. G. Loane" -- a small wooden steamer built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844 -- was purchased by the Navy on 3 June 1864 at Philadelphia from William S. Mason.

Renamed "Tug No. 6", and often as "Picket Boat No. 6"

Renamed "Tug No. 6" and commissioned on 8 June 1864, Acting Ensign Frederick W. Mintzer in command, this small craft was sometimes referred to as "Picket Boat No. 6" in dispatches.

Assigned as a torpedo boat in the James River

Renamed "Zeta" in the following November, she served as a torpedo tug in the James River until April of 1865. Transferred in that month to the Potomac River flotilla of Comdr. Foxhall A. Parker, "Zeta" guarded the Bush River (Maryland) Bridge until sent to the Washington Navy Yard in May.

Post-war decommissioning and sale

Her services no longer required, "Zeta" was sold to C. Vanderwerken on 24 June 1865.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/z1/zeta.htm USS Zeta]