USS Dahlia was a paddle-wheel tugboat acquired by the Union Navy during the beginning of the American Civil War. Dahlia was assigned to the Mississippi River area to provide tug and other services to Union ships requiring assistance.

Moored to the river bank above the falls at Alexandria, Louisiana, during the Red River campaign, circa May 1864. USS Dahlia is at left, and USS Neosho is at right.
History
Union Navy Jack United States
Namesakegenus of flowers of the aster family.
Orderedas Firefly
BuilderU.S. Army
Laid down1861
Launched1862 at St. Louis, Missouri
Acquired1 October 1862
Commissionedcirca 24 October 1862
Stricken1965 (est.)
FateSold 17 August 1865 at Mound City, Illinois
NotesRetained in commercial service until about 1872
General characteristics
Displacement50 tons
Lengthnot known
Beamnot known
Draft6 ft (1.8 m)
Propulsionsteam engine, paddle-wheel driven
Speed10 knots
Complementnot known
Armamentnot known

Built for the U.S. Army

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Firefly was built by the United States Army at St. Louis, Missouri in 1862; turned over to the Navy 1 October 1862; and named Dahlia 24 October 1862.

Civil War service

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Assigned to the Mississippi River Squadron under Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter. She provided tug services in the Mississippi River and its tributaries until 17 August 1865.

Post-war disposition

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Dahlia was sold at Mound City, Illinois in August 1865. She retained her name as a civilian ship after the war and passed out of service in about 1872.

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.

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