USS Epsilon (1864)
USS Epsilon (1864) was a tugboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a tugboat and dispatch boat to support Union Navy patrol vessels on Confederate waterways.
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Ordered: | as Harry Bumm |
| Laid down: | date unknown |
| Launched: | date unknown |
| Acquired: | 3 June 1864 |
| In service: | circa June 1864 |
| Out of service: | circa June 1865 |
| Stricken: | 1865 (est.) |
| Fate: | sold, 12 July 1865 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 55 tons |
| Length: | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Beam: | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Draught: | 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) |
| Propulsion: | steam engine |
| Speed: | 9 knots |
| Complement: | not known |
| Armament: | none indicated |
Acquisition and name change from Tug No. 5 to Epsilon
Epsilon, a steam tug, was purchased as Harry Bumm at Philadelphia, 3 June 1864, and assigned to duty in the James River, Acting Ensign E. M. Boggs in command. She was known as Tug No. 5 until November 1864 when she was named Epsilon.
Performing various services during tour of duty on the James
Throughout her career, Epsilon performed useful service in the James, reconnoitering, patrolling, serving as picket, carrying mail, and transferring men from one ship's company to another.
Post-war decommissioning and disposal
Epsilon was ordered north in May 1865 and was sold at New York City 12 July 1865.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.