USS Kinsman (1854)

USS Kinsman (1854) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy from the Union Army during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.

Commandeered for Union Army service
In 1854 Kinsman was built at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, as Grey Cloud. She operated on the Mississippi River and its tributaries from St. Louis, Missouri. After the capture of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the spring of 1862, she was commandeered by General B. F. Butler and fitted out for river service.

On 18 July, the USS New London (1859) and Grey Cloud, reinforced by men from the USS Potomac (1822), steamed toward Pascagoula with the New London announcing their arrival by firing two shells over the large shoreline hotel. The New London docked at the Hotel Wharf at Pascagoula, Mississippi, and deployed about 60 sailors and marines to the village to capture mails and confiscate the telegraph equipment. Sentries quickly spotted a Confederate cavalry patrol and the sailors and marines withdrew to their gunboats. The Grey Cloud moved about a half mile west and attempted to enter the Pascagoula River with the intent on capturing local schooners with turpentine and lumber. However, the mouth of the river was obstructed to prevent passage. At this point the gunboats stood off shore and put in three launches loaded with about 25 sailors and marines each and proceeded up the river. About a mile from the mouth where the river is not but 200 yards wide, the launches were amushed by a platoon of 30 troopers of the Mobile Dragoons under Lieut Hallett, a cavalry unit armed with Sharps carbines. The launches returned fire, but where in the open and withdrew to the mouth of the river with eight or nine wounded. Once the launches were clear, the New London fired 25 shells into the village and the Grey Cloud fired seven shells. After sitting off shore 19 July, the ships withdrew from the shoreline. 2

Damaged in action against Confederate ironclad Cotton
Renamed Kinsman, the side-wheel steamer operated for the Union Army, Acting Master George Wiggen in command. With USS Calhoun (1851), USS Estrella (1862), and USS Diana (1862), she engaged Confederate ironclad gunboat Cotton in a spirited action 3 November. Kinsman was struck under her port bow and the other Union ships were damaged but they forced the Confederate vessel to retire. That night the Northern ships captured A. B. Seaer, a small Steamer of the Confederate Navy used as a dispatch boat. Five days later, Kinsman and A. B. Seger captured and burned steamers Osprey and J. P. Smith in Bayou Cheval, Louisiana.

Transferred to the Union Navy for service
Kinsman was transferred to the Navy 1 January 1863. With three other ships under overall command of Lt. Comdr. Thomas McKean Buchanan, she attacked the South's defenses at Bayou Teche, below Franklin, Louisiana.

Vigorous prosecution of the action by Northern vessels forced the Southerners to retire permitting removal of obstructions which had impeded Union ships.

Ironclad Cotton sets itself on fire while Kinsman strikes a mine
Confederate gunboat Cotton enaged the attackers but was compelled to retire. Soon thereafter Cotton's crew set their ship afire and destroyed her to prevent capture. During the engagement, a torpedo (mine) exploded under Kinsman unshipping her rudder.

Kinsman strikes a snag in the river, sinks with loss of six men
While transporting a detachment of troops 23 February 1863, Kinsman struck a snag and sank in Berwick Bay near Brashear City, Louisiana. Six men were reported missing.