USS Corypheus

History
United States
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	date unknown
In service	12 June 1862
Out of service	1865
Stricken	1865 (est.)
Captured	by Union Navy forces; 13 May 1862;
Fate	Sold, 15 September 1865
General characteristics
Displacement	82 tons
Length	not known
Beam	not known
Draught	not known
Propulsion	sail
Speed	varied
Complement	28
Armament	one 30-pounder rifle; one 24-pounder howitzer;

USS Corypheus was a schooner captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

Corypheus was used by the Union Navy primarily as a gunboat to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy in order to prevent the South from trading with other countries. She carried a 30-pounder rifled gun, powerful enough to stop a blockade runner, and a howitzer for riverside bombardment.

Captured by the Union Navy and placed into service

The Confederate yacht Corypheus was captured by USS Calhoun 13 May 1862 in Bayou Bonfuca, Louisiana. Taken by the Navy she was assigned to tender duty for the bark USS Arthur off Aransas Pass, Texas, 12 June 1862, commanded by Acting Master A. T. Spear.

Civil War service

Assigned to the Gulf Blockade

Operating off Corpus Christi, Texas, on 12 August 1862 Corypheus participated in the capture of the armed schooner Breaker and destruction of Hannah and Elma by their own men. She took part in the engagements at Corpus Christi on 16 and 18 August, and while returning to Aransas Bay, captured the blockade runner Water Witch.

Participating in the Battle of Sabine Pass

Arriving at Galveston, Texas, 28 December 1862, Corypheus fired in the Battle of Sabine Pass on 1 January 1863. Corypheus fought valiantly and cleared amid a rain of fire from the enemy when the Union force withdrew. Admiral David G. Farragut wrote of her officers and crew that they acted with uncommon coolness and great courage, keeping up their fire for the protection of the soldiers on shore, and, when ordered to abandon their vessel, preserved and safely extricated their ship although left entirely by themselves except for USS Sachem.

Lake Pontchartrain assignment

Her next duty was on Lake Pontchartrain where she was stationed to break up the small-craft traffic crossing between New Orleans, Louisiana, and coastal waters. She remained on this duty until November 1864 when ordered to Pensacola, Florida. Following repairs, she was stationed around Mobile, Alabama.

Post war decommissioning and sale

After the war’s end, Corypheus was sold 15 September 1865.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entries can be found Confederate service here and Union service here.