USS Mingoe (1863)

USS Mingoe (1863) was a large steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. With her heavy guns, she was planned by the Union Navy for use as a bombardment gunboat, but also as an interceptor gunboat stationed off Confederate waterways to prevent their trading with foreign countries.

A side wheel steam gunboat, Mingoe was built under contract with D. S. Mainthon at Bordentown, New Jersey; was launched 6 August 1863; and commissioned 29 July 1864 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Comdr. J. B. Creighton in command.

Mingoe joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron 13 August 1864 and performed blockade duty in the St. Johns River and off Charleston, South Carolina, until the end of the year. In February 1865, she assisted William Tecumseh Sherman’s Army in its advance up the James River.

After the end of the conflict, Mingoe returned to Philadelphia and laid up at League Island until sold 3 October 1867.