Civil War Union Ships M through N

United States   U.S. Civil    Union Navy in the Civil War    Civil War Union Ships M through N

Introduction
The information below comes from. Included are the names of ships with information about dates of service in the Civil War, type of ship, name changes, etc.

Ship names beginning with Ma to Mi

 * M. W. Chapin, see Anacostia.
 * Macedonian. Captured October 25, 1812, from the British by the U. S. S. United States. Repaired, taken into the U. S. Navy. Broken up and rebuilt at Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., 1835-1836. Launched 1836. Class: Sailing frigate; changed to sloop-of-war. Sold December 31, 1875, at Norfolk, Va., to Wiggin and Robinson, for $14,071. Total cost of building and repairing to 1849, approximately, $340,895.09; cost of converting her from a frigate to a sloop-of-war, approximately, to April 15, 1853, $166,639. 1815 took part in operations against Barbary Powers. 1853-1856 one of Commodore Perry's Squadron, Japan Expedition, the only ship of that squadron that had target practice in Asiatic waters. 1863-1870, practice ship for midshipmen, U. S. Naval Academy.Description
 * Mackinaw. Built, April, 1863, at New York Navy Yard; machinery by Poole &amp; Hunt, Baltimore, Md., January, 1864. Launched, April 22, 1863. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; wood. Sold, October 3, 1867, at Philadelphia, Pa., for $17,900. Commissioned, April 23, 1864; went out of commission, May 11, 1865. Recommissioned, January 18, 1866, and went out of commission, finally, May 4, 1867. Cost of repairs while in naval service was $54,187. Description
 * Madawaska. Hull built at New York Navy Yard; engines by Allaire Works, New York, N. Y. Launced July 8, 1865. Class: Screw steamer; frigate. Sold, September 15, 1886, to Burdett Pond, Meriden, Conn. for $34,525. Name changed to Tennessee, May 15, 1869. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $865,661.11. Description
 * Madgie. Purchased, October 14, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan from R. F. Loper. Class: Screw steamer, wood. Foundered, October 11, 1862, off Frying Pan Shoals, N. C. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $26,924.93. Description
 * Maggie Baker, see Heliotrope.
 * Magnolia. Purchased, April 9, 1862, at New York, N. Y., by Navy Department from Key West prize court. Class: Side-wheel steamer. Sold at public auction, July 12, 1865, at New York, N. Y., to N. L. &amp; G. Griswold, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., for $45,000. Captured, February 19, 1862, in trying to escape from Pass a l'Outre, by U. S. S. Brookly and other vessels, and sent to Key West, where she was condemned, sent to New York, and sold. Thomas Stack, of New York, was paid $11,963.36 for repairing her. She was commissioned at New York, July 22, 1862; went out of commission, New York, June 10, 1865. Description
 * Mahaska. Hull built at Portsmouth Navy Yard; machinery by Morgan Iron Works, N. Y. Launched, December 10, 1861, at Portsmouth, N. H. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; wood. Sold November 20, 1868, at New Orleans, La., by the department to John Dole, of Boston, Mass., and delivered to his agent, John Gibben, for $17,000. Commissioned, May 5, 1862, at Portsmouth, N. H., and went to sea for first time May 15, 1862; out of commission, Boston, September 9, 1864; recommissioned, January 16, 1865. Went out of commission September 12, 1868. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $41,360.50.Description
 * Mahopac. Built by contract at Jersey City, N. J., by Secor &amp; Co. Launched, May 17, 1864, at New York, N. Y. Class: Screw steamer; single-turret monitor; wood and iron. In 1900, out of commission at League Island Navy Yard. June 15, 1869, name changed to Castor; August 10,1869, name changed from Castor to Mahpac. Total cost of repairs to January 1, 1889, was $254.357.25. September 22, 1864, commissioned at New York. Contract price was $460,000, the $174,827.89 being fro extras. Trial trip, August 20, 1864, at the end of which the vessel was delivered to the Government at New York Navy Yard. Description
 * Mail. Captured vessel. Class: Sailing vessel. Sold, October 20, 1865, at Port Royal, S. C., by Lieutenant Commander R. L. Law, for $1,025. A schooner of this name was captured by the U. S. S. Freeborn in the Potomac River August 1, 1862. Used as a schooner for divers at Port Royal, S. C. Description
 * Majestic. Purchased, December 2, 1861, at New Bedford, Mass., by G. D. Morgan &amp; R. H. Chappell. Ship. Purchased to sink Stone Fleet. Description
 * Malvern. Purchased from Boston prize court by Navy Department. Commissioned. February 9, 1864, at Boston Navy Yard. Class: Side-wheel steamer; gunboat; iron. Sold at public auction, October 25, 1865, at New York, to S. G. Bogart, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., for $113,500. Captured, under name of Ella and Annie, November 9, 1863, by U. S. S. Niphon as a blockade runner. Commissioned, December 10, 1863, at Boston, for chase of steamer Chesapcake. Fitted for flagship, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron; commissioned, February 9, 1864, at Boston, Mass.; went out of commission, October 24, 1865, at New York. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $41,837.31 Flagship of Admiral D. D. Porter at capture of Fort Fisher, N. C., January 15, 1865. Description
 * Manhattan. Built by contract with Perine, Secor &amp; Co. Launched, October 14, 1863, at Jersey City, N. J. Class: Screw steamer; light-draft monitor; wood and iron. In service, 1900, at Leauge Island. Sold March 24, 1902, to Henry Hitner's Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. Name changed to Neptune, June 15, 1869; thence to Manhattan,  August 10, 1869. The Manhattan was completed, May 21, 1864, and delivered to Government at new York Navy Yard, May 23, 1864. Total cost of repairs to January 1, 1889, was $246,456.10 Stricken from Navy Register December 14, 1901; sold March 24, 1902. Description
 * Manhattan. Hull built in 1849. Ferry boat; wood. Description
 * Maitou, see Fort Hindman.
 * Manayunk. Built by contract with Snowden &amp; Mason, Pittsburgh, Pa. Launched, December 18, 1864. Class: Single screw steamer; single-turreted monitor; wood; iron armored. Sold, October 10, 1899, at public auction, for $29,566.66. Name changed to Ajax, June 15, 1869. Cost of repairs to Januray 1, 1889, was $154,343.34. Description
 * Maratanza. Hull built at Boston Navy Yard; machinery by Harrison Loring. Launched, November 26, 1861. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; wood. Sold, August 26,1868, to A. S. &amp; W. G. Lewis, for $32,700. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $51,635.62. Commissioned, April 12, 1862, at Boston, Mass.; went out of commission, Portsmouth, N. H., June 21, 1865.Description
 * Marblehead. Built by contract; hull by G. W. Jackman, Jr., Newburyport, Mass.; machinery by Isaac Stanton &amp; J. H. Mallery (Highlnad Iron Works), Newburgh, N. Y. Launched, October 16, 1861, at Newburyport, Mass. Class: Screw steamer; gunboat; wood. Sold, New York, September 30, 1868, for $14,100. March ;8, 1862, commissioned at Boston, Mass,; Log missing from March 26, 1863, to June 2, 1864, when commissioned at New York; out of commission, Washington, September 19, 1866; commissioned at Annapolis, June 12, 1866; out of commission, Washington, October, 1866; commissioned, Washington in December 19, 1866; September 4, 1868, finally went out of commission. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $2,981.02. Description
 * Marcia. Purchased, December 10, 1861, at Portland, Me., by G. D. Morgan &amp; R. H. Chappell. Bark. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Margaret and Jessie, see Gettysburg.
 * Margaret and Rebecca. Purchased, July 18, 1864, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Commodore C. K. Stribling. Canal boat. Purchased to sin. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Margaret Scott. Purchased, November 30, 1861, at New Bedford, Mass., by G. D. Morgan and R. H. Chappell. Ship. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet.Description
 * Maria, see Fairy.
 * Maria. Built at New York by contract with William Perine. Class: Screw steamer; iron. Sunk, January 4, 1870, off Marthas Vineyard, by U. S. S. Miantonomah. Delivered, August 11, 1865, at New York Navy Yard. Description
 * Maria A. Wood. Purchased, September 21, 1861, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Rear Admiral Du Pont. Class: Sailing vessel; wood. Sold, September 6, 1866, at New York to W. H. Allen, for $5,000, by Admiral C. H. Bell. Total cost of repairs while in service of Government was $15,526,45. Commissioned, November19, 1861, at Phiadelphia, Pa. August 22, 1866, went out of commission. Description
 * Maria Denning. Class: Side-wheel steamer. Mentioned in Davis papers, 4517-84. Receiving ship at Cairo, Ill., November 8, 1861 - April1, 1862. Transport, 1862. Employed as receiving ship of the Mississippi River and tributaries and stationed at Mound City or Cairo, Ill., from November 20, 1861, to about June 1, 1862, and later employed on transport service. Was a Regular Army transport from December 15, 1862, to April 6, 1863, chartered by the Quartermaster's Department, U. S. A., at $225 per day. (N. W. R., Vols. 22, 23.) Description
 * Maria J. Carlton. Purchased, October 15, 1861, at Middletown, Conn., by George D. Morgan, from Mr. Warner, Haddam, Conn. Class: Mortar boat; white oak and chestnut. Sunk in Mississippi River, April 19, 1862, by round shot, during bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Total cost of repairs while in the naval service was $17,070.71. Commissioned, January 29, 1862, at New York Navy Yard. Description
 * Maria Love, see Clematis.
 * Maria Theresa. Purchased, October 31, 1861, at New Bedford, Mass., by G. D. Morgan and R. H. Chappell. Ship Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Marietta. Built by contract with Tomlinson, Hartupee &amp; Co., at Pittsburgh, Pa. Launched in 1864. Steamer; gunboat; ironclad; wood. Sold, April 12, 1873, at Mound City, Ill., to David Campbell, for $16,000. June 15, 1869, changed from Marietta to Circe; August 10, 1869, again named the Marietta. Contract price for Marietta was $188,000; but $47,039,57 was allowed for extra work. A simple iron, flat-bottomed boat. Three fore-and-aft bulkheads and two additional ones in the stern. Seven athwartship bulkheads. One turret. Contract speed 9 knots. In the water on January 4, 1865. Descritption
 * Marigold. Purchased, June 13, 1863, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Commodore C. K. Stribling from H. Winsor &amp; Co. Class: Screw steamer. Sold at public auction, October 5, 1866, at New York, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., for $6,200, purchaser not known. This vessel is strong and well-built of good materials. Coppered to 7' 2". August 13, 1863, there was paid for an armor pilot house that Henry Winsor &amp; Co. had put on her, $300.82. Description
 * Marion, see Morse.
 * Marion. Built at Boston Navy Yard by Government, 1838. Date of launching not found. Rebuilt as a screw steamer at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 1871-1876. Class: Sailing sloop-of-war. --1897, turned over to the Naval Militia, San Diego, Calif., continued on this service until March 7, 1907, when name was stricken from the Navy list and ordered sold. First cruise made in 1839. Sunk when heaved down in Rio harbor, 1842; raised; sailed back to Boston. Cruised on various stations and used as practice ship for midshipmen until 1870. Rebuilt as a screw steamer at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 1871. Commissioned January 12, 1876. Out of commission 1882. Commissioned January 15, 1885. Out of commission, Mare Island, Calif., March 22, 1890. Recommissioned and cruised in the Pacific until 1897. Turned over to Naval Militia, San Diego, Calif., 1897. Description

Marmora. Purchased, September 17, 1862, at St. Louis, Mo., by Commodore J. B. Hull, from C. L. Brennan, William Nelson, and James McDonnell. Class: Stern-wheel steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, August 17, 1865, at Mound City, Ill., to D. D. Barr, by Solomon A. Silver, for $8,650. Total cost of repairs while in the Government service was $15,107.40. October 21, 1862, commissioned at Carondelet, Mo.; July 7, 1865, went out of commission. Description


 * Martha, see Violet.
 * Martin. Purchased, June 16, 1864, at New York, by Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding, under name of James McMartin. Class: Screw steamer; picket boat; wood. Sold at public auction, August 10, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Samuel C. Cook, for $2,600. Total cost of repairs, June 30, 1865, was $772.30. Name changed from James McMartin to Martin. Steers well; rolls; can carry 2 weeks' provisions. Description
 * Mary Ann. Purchased, July 19, 1864, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Commodore C. K. Stribling, from Bishop, agent. Canal boat. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Bought with 60 tons of stone on board and sent to Baltimore to Commodore Dornin. Description
 * Mary Cook, see Narcissus.

''Mary Frances. ''Purchased, August 13, 1861, at Baltimore, Md., by Captain H. S. Stellwagen. Schooner. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet.


 * Mary Grandy, see Bignonia.
 * Mary and Hetty. Purchased at Baltimor, Md., August 13, 1861, by Captain H. S. Stellwagen. Schooner Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Mary Linda. Purchased, July 16, 1864, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Commodore C. K. Stribling, from Bishop, agent. Canal boat. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet.Description
 * Mary Miller, see Prairie Bird.
 * Mary Sanford. Purchased July 13, 1863, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Rear Admiral H. Paulding, from William B. Dinsmore. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at public auction August 10, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Samuel C. Cook, for $44,000. Commenced running June, 1863. Commissioned, August 20, 1863, at New York Navy Yard; went out of commission, Philadelphia Navy Yard June 21, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in the Govenment service was $1,273.84. Description
 * Massachusetts, see Farrallones.
 * Massachusetts, see Passaconaway.
 * Massachusetts. Purchased May 3, 1861, at Boston, Mass., by Captain W. L. Hudon, from Boston &amp; Southern S. S. Co. Class: Screw steamer; supply ship; iron. Sold at publice auction October 1, 1867, at New York, N. Y., to W. F. Weld &amp; Co., by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., for $50,000. Commissioned, May 24, 1861, at Boston, Mass.; finally went out of commission, September 23, 1867. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $20,545.45. February 26, 1862, out of commission at New York; February 29, 1862, ordered fitted as transport and supply ship; April 16, 1862, recommissioned; December 3, 1862, out of commission; New York Navy Yard. March 10, 1863, recommissioned: August 28, 1866, out of commission, New York. Description
 * Massasoit. Built by contract at Boston, Mass.; hull by Curtis &amp; Tilden; machinery by Globe Works. Launched, March 8, 1863. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; wood. Sold, October 15, 1867, at New York, for $15,000. March 8, 1864, commissioned at Boston Navy Yard; went out of commission, June 27, 1865. Delivered to Government at Boston Navy Yard, January 23, 1864. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $19,175.54. Description
 * Mattabesett. Hull built by contract at Boston, Mass., and New York, N. Y. Hull by A. &amp; G. T. Sampson of the former place and machinery by Allaire Works of the latter. Class: Side-wheel steamer, double-ender. Sold, October 15, 1867, at New York, N. Y., for $15,000. Delivered to Government, January 18, 1864, at New York Navy Yard, where she was commissioned, April 7, 1864. May 31, 1865, she finally went out of commission. Cost of extra work and repairs was $18,759.59. Description
 * Matthew Vassar. Purchased, September 9, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from Booth &amp; Vassar. Class: Sails; mortar schooner; wood. Sold at public auction, August 10, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., by Samuel C. Cook, for $7,300. Total cost of repairs by Government was $18,688.83. Served in Mortar Flotilla, 1862-1863; repaired; commissioned November 29, 1864, at Washington Navy Yard and finally went out of commission July 10, 1865. Description
 * Maumee. Built at New York Navy Yard; machinery by Stover Machine Co. Launched July 2, 1863. Class: Screw steamer; gunboat, wood. Sold, December 15, 1869, for $31,726.87, to Mr. Landstein, of Hong Kong, China. September 29, 1864, commissioned at New York Navy Yard; cost of repairs while in naval service was $2,241.35. Out of commission, Philadelphia, June 17, 1865. Description
 * Mayflower, see Lavender.
 * Mayflower. Built, February, 1866, by contract, at Boston, Mass., with James Tetlow. Class: Screw steamer; iron. Total cost of repairs to January 1, 1889, was $83,338.15.Description
 * Mechanic. Purchased, November 13, 1861, at Newport, R. I., by G. D. Morgan and R. H. Chappell. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Medusa, see Nantucket.
 * Memphis, see Mystic.
 * Memphis. Captured, July 31, 1862, by U. S. S. Magnolia; condemned by Government and purchased from New York prize court, September 4, 1862, by Navy Department. Class: Screw steamer; iron. Sold at public auction, May 8, 1869, at New York, N. Y., to V. Brown &amp; Co., for $54,470.50. She was a blockade runner, laden with cotton when captured. Commissioned, October 4, 1862, at New York. Finally went out of commission, May 6, 1867. Description
 * Mendota. Purchased, at Brooklyn, New York, from contractors. Launched January 13, 1863. Delivered, February 1, 1864, to Government. Class: Side-wheel steamer; double-ender; wood. Sold, December 7, 1867, at Philadelphia, Pa., for $18,750. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $87,744.75. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $87,744.75. Commissioned, May 2, 1864, at New York Navy Yard. May 12, 1865, went out of commission and was laid up at Philadelphia Yard. Description
 * Mercedita. Purchased, July 31, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan, from C. Burrill, agent, for J. C. Jewett &amp; Co., owners. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Sold at publice auction, October 25, 1865, at New York, to Smith &amp; Dunning, by Burdett, Jones &amp; Co., for $35,000. Commissioned, December 5, 1861, at New York Navy Yard; October 14, 1865, went out of commission. Total cost of repairs was $86,773.18. January 31, 1863, attacked, between 4 and 5 a. m., by C. S. ram Palmetto State in Charleston Harbor. Shot destropyed steam drum, motive power gone, surrendered. Released on verbal parole, Casualties, 2 killed, 5 wounded, 2 of whom died. February, ordered to Philadelphia for repairs. Description
 * Mercury. Purchased, August 17, 1861, at New York, N. Y., by George D. Morgan from R. Coffin &amp; Co. Rebuilt at New York Navy Yard. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Sold, August 29, 1873, to Wyeth Bros., Washington, D. C., for $6,200. Cost of repairs from September 4, 1861, to February 13, 1862, was $6,511.55. Commissioned, October 3, 1861, at New York Navy Yard. Description
 * Merrimac. Captured, July 24, 1863, off New Inlet, N. C.; purchased from New York prize court, March 10, 1864, by Navy Department. Class: Side-wheel steamer; iron. Foundered at sea, February 15, 1865, during a N. E. gale. Cost of repairs at Kittery, January, 1865, was $10,014.91. May 18, 1864, commissioned. Description
 * Merrimack. Built at Boston Navy Yard. Launched Jun 14, 1855. Completed February 25, 1856. Class: Screw steamer; wood. Scuttled and burned by U. S. naval forces on abandonment of Norfolk Navy Yard, April 20, 1861. Raised by rebels and converted into an ironclad ram. Commissioned at Boston Navy Yard February 20, 1856. Cruised in West Indies. Put out of commission April 22, 1857. Recommissioned September 11, 1857, as flagship of Pacific Station. February 16, 1860, went out of commission at navy yard, Norfolk, Va. Description
 * Messenger. Purchased, November 16, 1861, at Salem, Mass., by George D. Morgan and R. H. Chappell. Class: Sailing vessel. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Metacomet.  Built by contract with Thomas Stack, Brooklyn, N. Y. Launched March 7, 1863. Class: Side-wheel steamer, wood; double-ender. Sold, October 28, 1868, at Philadelphia, Pa., to John Roach &amp; Sons, for $21,687.50. Commissioned, January 4, 1864, at New York; August 18, 1865, went out of commission. Cost of repairs while in naval service was $36,757.62. Took prominent part in the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. Description
 * Meteor. Purchased, November 4, 1861, at Mystic Conn., by George D. Morgan &amp; R. H. Chappell. Class: Sailing vessel. Purchased to sink. Stone Fleet. Description
 * Meteor,  see Cowslip.
 * Meteor. Purchased, January 23, 1864, under name of Sciota,  at Cincinnati, Ohio, by Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter, from Washington Houshell et al. Class: Side-wheel steamer; wood. Sold at public auction, October 5, 1865, at New Orleans, La., to Mitchell, Boardman &amp; Walden, for $6,000 by G. A. Hall &amp; Co. Commissioned, March 8, 1864, at New Orleans, La.; went out of commission, September 12, 1865. Total cost of repairs while in naval service was $2,311.21. Description
 * Miami. Built at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Launched, November 16, 1861. Class: Side-wheel steamer, double-ender; wood. Sold at auction, August 10, 1865, at Philadelphia, Pa., for $19,900. Commissioned, January 29, 1862, at Phiadelphis Navy Yard; May 22, 1865, went out of commission. Total cost of repairs while in naval servoce was $10,235.71. April 19, 1864, engageed Confederate ram Albevarle  off Plymouth, N. C. Commander C. W. Flusser killed in engagement. Description
 * Miantonomoh. Built at New York Navy Yard. Launched August 15, 1863. Class: Twin screw steamer; double turreted monitor; wood and iron. Rebult by John Roach in 1874 - 1875, at New York, at cost of $709,605.72. 1906 loaned to Naval Militia, State of Maryland. 1915 laid up, League Island Navy Yard. Commissioned September 18, 1865, at New York; June 5, 1866, stood to sea from St. Johns, Newfoundland, on cruise to the principal ports of Europe, to prove ability of turreted vessels to perform long sea voyages. Arrived at Philadelphia Navy Yard July 22, 1867, having steamed 17,767 miles. 1868, laid up at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Recommissioned November 15, 1869. Finally out of commission March 8, 1900. 1915, still on Navy List. Description
 * Michigan. Built by Government. Launched, in 1844, at Erie, Pa. Class: Side-wheel steamer; iron. Still in service (1915) under the name of Wolverine. Loaned to Naval Militia, State of Pennsylvania. June 17, 1905, name changed to Wolverine. Total cost of building and repairing to July 30, 1853, was $154,100.18. Built for service on the Great Lakes. Description