USSLily

History
United States
Ordered	asJessie Benton
Acquired	30 September 1862
In service	19 October 1862
Fate	Sunk, 28 May 1863
General characteristics
Displacement	50 long tons (50 t)
Propulsion	steam engine

USSLily,originally built asJessie Benton,was atugboatacquired by theUnion Navyduring theAmerican Civil War.It was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of theConfederacyto prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Service history

Lily,a steam tugboat, was built asJessie Benton,and purchased by theWar Department5 May 1862. Used by theQuartermaster Corpson the western rivers, she was known asJessieuntil transferred to the Navy 30 September 1862 and renamedLilyon 19 October 1862. Assigned toRear AdmiralDavid Dixon Porter’sMississippi Squadron,she served on the river, including duty during theVicksburg campaign.Lilysank nearChickasaw Bayouin theYazoo Riverin collision with theironcladramUSSChoctawon 28 May 1863.

References

This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.The entry can be foundhere.