USS Peony (1864)

USS Peony (1864) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the final months of the American Civil War.

She served the Union Navy’s struggle against the Confederate States of America as a gunboat, patrolling the ports and waterways of the Confederate States of America.

Purchased in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1864
Peony, formerly the wooden steamer Republic, was purchased for the Union Navy by Comdr. C.K. Stribling 7 December 1864 from Bishop & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Participating in the capture of Fort Fisher
In January 1865 Peony, Acting Ensign John W. Bennett in command, participated in the capture of Fort Fisher on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. This fort, located on the narrow tongue of land at the entrance to the Cape Fear River, was a necessary first objective in the plan to close Wilmington, North Carolina, the only remaining seaport from which blockade running could be conducted regularly with reasonable prospects of success.

Assembling of the fleet by Admiral Porter
Peony was one of the more than fifty vessels assembled by Admiral David Dixon Porter for this campaign, which culminated with the surrender of the Confederate forces 15 January 1865.

Final operations of the war
The remainder of Peony’s wartime service was spent in the North Carolina Sounds carrying out operations as Confederate resistance ceased.

Post-war decommissioning and sale
She sailed north in July, decommissioned, and was sold at auction in Boston, Massachusetts, to S. & J.M. Flanagan.