USS Emma (1863)
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 Capture of the blockade runner Emma, 1863. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
  United States | |
| Builder | Barclay Curle[1] |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Launched | 24 November 1862[1] |
| Acquired | 30 September 1863 |
| Commissioned | 4 November 1863 |
| Decommissioned | 30 August 1865 |
| Stricken | 1865 (est.) |
| Captured |
|
| Fate | Sold, 1 November 1865 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 350 tons |
| Length | 156 ft (48 m) |
| Beam | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Complement | 68[1] |
| Armament |
|
The first USS Emma was a steamer captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a picket and patrol vessel on Confederate waterways.
Emma, a single-screw steamer, was built in Glasgow, Scotland[1][3] for Thomas S. Begbie. Emma and her sister ship, Gertrude were named for Begbie's two daughters.[2] Emma was captured on 24 July 1863 by the Army transport SS Arago off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina on its third voyage.[3] Purchased by the Navy from the New York City prize court on 30 September 1863; it was fitted out at New York Navy Yard; and put to sea on 4 November 1863, Acting Master G. B. Livingston in command.[3][4]
Assigned to patrol with the North Atlantic Blockade
Emma arrived at Newport News, Virginia, 7 November 1863 to patrol with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until the end of the war. Enforcing the blockade, she played a significant role in the Navy's indispensable contribution to victory through isolating the South from oversea sources of supply. Emma joined in the destruction of blockade runner Ella off Wilmington, North Carolina, 6 December 1864, and the attacks on Fort Fisher of 24 and 25 December 1864 and 13 to 15 January 1865.[4]
