USS Commodore Read (1857)

USS Commodore Read (1857) was a former ferry acquired by the Union Navy for use during the American Civil War. Because of her shallow draft, she was useful for patrols in rivers and streams. And, because of her ferryboat structure, she was useful as a gun platform or for carrying passengers or prisoners.

Commodore Read — formerly the ferryboat Atlantic — was built in 1857 and purchased by the Navy at New York on 19 August 1863; fitted out at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned on 8 September 1863, Acting Master E. S. Turner in command. The ship was named in honor of Commodore George C. Read.

American Civil War service
Assigned to duty with the Potomac Flotilla, she put to sea on 12 September 1863, arriving at Washington Navy Yard three days later. The ship was constantly employed in the rivers and creeks of Virginia, on picket and patrol duty; transporting troops and prisoners of war; towing vessels; capturing and destroying enemy boats and other property; and engaging in frequent action with Confederate cavalry, shore batteries, and ships.

A typical operation
Typical of her service was an expedition to Fredericksburg, Virginia from 6–8 March 1865, when she joined USS Yankee (1861), USS Delaware (1861), and USS Heliotrope (1863) to cooperate with the Army in the destruction of Hamilton's Crossing. The expedition, commanded by Colonel Roberts on board Commodore Read, destroyed the railroad depot and bridge, 28 loaded railway cars, an army wagon train, miles of railroad track, and telegraph equipment, as well as capturing 30 prisoners, tobacco, bales of cotton, 28 mules, and mail.

Decommissioning
Arriving at the Washington Navy Yard on 30 May, Commodore Read was sold there on 20 July.