USS Camelia (1862)

USS Camelia (1862) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was armed as a gunboat by the Navy and assigned to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Built in New York City in 1862
Camelia, a screw tugboat, was built in 1862 at New York City as Governor; purchased there 17 September 1863; and commissioned 28 November 1863 with Acting Ensign R. W. Parker assuming command the next day.

Civil War service
From 21 January 1864 to 1 July 1865, Camelia served with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Charleston, South Carolina, and at Port Royal, South Carolina.

In addition to playing a part in the blockade which kept critically needed war materials and civilian commodities from entering the Confederacy, Camelia contributed officers and men to the naval brigade which carried out successful operations ashore in the Broad River area of South Carolina in November and December 1864.

Post-war decommissioning and sale
Returning to New York City, the tug was sold there 15 August 1865.