View source for USS Dawn (1857)

{{other ships|USS Dawn}}
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|Ship image=File:Dawn (1857 steamship).jpg
|Ship caption=''Dawn'' in merchant service 
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1862}}
|Ship name=USS ''Dawn''
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|Ship laid down=date unknown
|Ship launched=1857
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|Ship acquired=26 April 1861
|Ship commissioned=9 May 1861
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|Ship decommissioned=17 June 1865
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|Ship fate=Sold, 1 November 1865
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship type=[[Steamboat|Steamer]]
|Ship displacement={{convert|399|LT|t|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|154|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|28|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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|Ship propulsion=*[[Steam engine]]
*screw-propelled
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|Ship speed={{convert|8|kn|mph km/h|lk=in|abbr=on}}
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|Ship complement=60
|Ship armament=2 × 32-pounder guns
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The first '''USS ''Dawn''''' was a steam-operated vessel acquired by the [[Union Navy]] during the [[American Civil War]]. She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

''Dawn'' — a screw [[Steamboat|steamer]] — was built in 1857 by Samuel Sneden, [[New York City]]; chartered on 26 April 1861 and purchased on 12 October 1861; outfitted at [[New York Navy Yard]]; and commissioned on 9 May 1861, [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] W. Chandler in command.

==Assigned to the Potomac Flotilla==
Assigned to duty with the [[Potomac Flotilla]], ''Dawn'' sailed from New York on 11 May and took station at the mouth of the [[York River (Virginia)|York River]] on blockade duty until 24 September. During this time, she captured three ships with contraband goods and passengers on board. After repairs at [[Washington Navy Yard]], she was sent up the [[Rappahannock River]] on blockade duty in November.

==Reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockade==
''Dawn'' had a new [[boiler]] installed at [[New York Navy Yard]] from 7 February-27 April 1862, then stood out for [[Port Royal, South Carolina]], for service with the [[South Atlantic Blockading Squadron]]. Arriving on station on 14 May, she patrolled the coastal and inland waters of [[South Carolina]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Florida]], frequently exchanging fire with enemy shore batteries, and joining in the attacks on [[Fort McAllister]] of 27 January-1 February 1863. She also assisted in the capture of several [[blockade runner]]s, including the Confederate [[privateer]] ''Nashville'' with a valuable cargo of [[cotton]].

==Operating with the North Atlantic Blockade==
Out of commission at New York from 9 July-2 December for repairs, ''Dawn'' departed on 10 December to join the [[North Atlantic Blockading Squadron]] and cruised in the [[James River (Virginia)|James River]] from 14 December 1863 – 25 March 1865, performing picket duty and assisting in keeping the river banks free from enemy batteries. On 24 May 1864, she was influential in the defence of [[Battle of Wilson's Wharf|Wilson's Wharf]], Virginia near Charles City. The wharf's garrison of 1,100 USCT under the command of Brigadier General [[Edward A. Wild]] was assaulted by 2,500 Confederate cavalrymen under the command of Major General [[Fitzhugh Lee]]. Between the stout resistance of the USCT troops and the ''Dawn''{{'}}s guns, the Confederates were driven back. Wilson's Wharf and the soon to be completed [[Fort Pocahontas]] remained in Union hands for the duration of the war.

==Post-war decommissioning and sale==
''Dawn'' was placed out of commission on 17 June 1865 at [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]] and later taken to [[Boston Navy Yard]] and sold on 1 November.

==References==
{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d2/dawn-i.htm}}

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[[Category:Ships built in New York City]]
[[Category:Ships of the Union Navy]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:1857 ships]]