USS Pampero (1853)

USS Pampero (1853) was a large (1375 LT) and capacious ship-rigged vessel purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Navy as a storeship to provision the fleet and as a collier to supply the fleet’s need for coal for their steam engines.

She served in, and supplied, several blockades, including those Union ships in the Gulf of Mexico which were patrolling off various Gulf ports of the Confederate States of America.

Launched at Mystic, Connecticut, in 1853
Pampero, a wooden, ship rigged vessel launched at Mystic, Connecticut on 18 August 1853 by Charles Mallory, was purchased by the Navy at New York City on 7 July 1861 from J. Bishop & Co.; and commissioned in August 1861, Acting Master Charles W. Lamson in command.

Assigned to the Gulf Blockade
Pampero was assigned to the Gulf Blockading Squadron for service as a storeship and collier, and arrived off Fort Pickens, Florida on 19 September. She supplied the ships and bases of the Squadron until it was divided in February 1862.

Reassigned to the West Gulf Blockade
She was then placed in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and supporting Rear Admiral David Farragut’s operations through much of the war, making occasional voyages north to replenish.

Post-war decommissioning and sale
She decommissioned at New York City on 20 July 1866 and was sold at auction there on 1 October 1867.