USS C. P. Williams (1861)

USS C. P. Williams (1861) was a mortar schooner acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used for various purposes, but, especially for bombardment because of her large 13 in mortar that could fire up and over tall riverbanks.

Purchased in New York City in 1861
C. P. Williams was purchased by the Navy Department at New York City on 2 September 1861; fitted out as a mortar schooner; commissioned on 21 January 1862, Acting Master A. R. Langthorne in command; and reported to the Mortar Flotilla in the Mississippi River.

Assigned to the Mississippi Mortar Flotilla
From 13 March-17 July 1862, C. P. Williams cruised the lower Mississippi River, joining in the bombardments of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, Louisiana from 18–23 April, and Vicksburg, Mississippi from 27 June-3 July as well as blockading Berwick Bay.

Reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockade
C. P. Williams sailed north on 17 July for repairs at Baltimore, Maryland in September–October. On 9 November, she joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Port Royal, South Carolina. During the remainder of the war, she patrolled the rivers and sounds of the area, fired in the bombardments of forts, covered landing parties, and engaged detachments of Confederate cavalry ashore.

End-of-war decommissioning and sale
On 9 June 1865, C. P. Williams cleared Charleston, South Carolina, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arriving on the 19th. She was decommissioned on 27 June and sold on 10 August.