USSPink

History
United States
Ordered	asZouave
Launched	1863
Acquired	14 December 1863
Commissioned	6 February 1864
Fate	Sank, 22 September 1865
General characteristics
Displacement	184 tons
Length	110' 4 "
Beam	24' 6 "
Depth of hold	7'
Propulsion	steam engine screw-propelled
Complement	24
Armament	one 30-pounderParrott rifle two heavy 12-pounder smoothbores

USSPinkwas asteamercommissioned by theUnion Navyduring theAmerican Civil War.She served the Union Navy's struggle against theConfederate States of Americain various ways: as atugboat,agunboat,and as a small (184 ton) transport.

Service history

Pink,a wooden screw tug built in 1863 asZouaveatNewburgh, New York,was purchased by the Union Navy 14 December 1863 from New York and Glen Cove Steam Navigation Co.; and commissioned 6 February 1864. The new tug sailed for the gulf early in April 1864 but was detained in theNorth Atlantic Blockading Squadronduring the spring and early summer for repairs atNorfolk, Virginia,and service as a small transport on theJames River.

She resumed her voyage south with sister tugsUSSTritonia,Athenia,andUSSRose26 July and joined theWest Gulf Blockading SquadroninMississippi Soundon 5 August, the day of AdmiralDavid Farragut's great victory inMobile Bay.She supported Union operations, primarily in Mobile Bay, until after the end of the Civil War. While steaming fromNew Orleans, Louisiana,towardMobile, Alabama,Pinkran aground onDauphin Islandbefore dawn 22 September 1865 and bilged beyond salvage.

References

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