USS Crocus was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

History
Union Navy Jack United States
Orderedas Solomon Thomas
Launched1862 at New York City
Acquired31 July 1863
Commissioned31 July 1863
FateWrecked 17 August 1863
General characteristics
Displacement122 tons
Length79 ft (24 m)
Beam18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
Draft9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Propulsion
Speed8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
Armament2 guns

Crocus was planned to be used by the Union Navy as a gunboat, to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries.

Service history

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Crocus, a screw steamer, was built in 1862 at New York City as Solomon Thomas. She was purchased 31 July 1863 from C. W. Copeland and renamed Crocus. Her career was one of the shortest in the Navy. Clearing New York City 14 August 1863 under the command of Acting Ensign J. L. Winton, Crocus ran aground on Bodie's Island, North Carolina, 17 August and was totally wrecked. All of her crew were saved.

References

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  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.