USS Granite City (1863)


USS Granite City was a Confederate blockade runner steamer captured in March 1863 by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was armed with cannon and by August 1863 was in service as a gunboat in support of the Navy blockade of Confederate waters. She was recaptured in January 1864 by Confederate forces, again became a blockade runner, and ultimately was abandoned as a wreck after running aground.

Confederate blockade runner ''Granite City'' captured, refitted as Union gunboat

Granite City was originally a Confederate blockade runner, and was captured in the Bahama Islands 22 March 1863 by. She was bought by the United States from the New York City prize court for $55,000 and delivered to the Navy at New York City 16 April 1863, Acting Master Charles W. Lamson in command.

Assigned to the Western Gulf Blockade

Assigned to the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, Granite City arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, for duty 27 August 1863.

Participating in the ill-fated Sabine Pass expedition

She was detained for a time in quarantine because of sickness on board, but departed 4 September to take part in the ill-fated Sabine Pass Expedition, which was intended to provide a Union lodgment in Texas and prevent possible French moves into that State from Mexico.

Expedition fails and ''Granite City'' escapes the Confederate guns

Granite City was ideally suited to help support the troop landings because her shallow draft allowed her to cross the bar and lie close to shore. She crossed the bar in company with,, and during the Second Battle of Sabine Pass on 8 September 1863, with her upper deck carrying several hundred Union Army infantrymen. When withering fire of Confederate batteries forced the surrender of Sachem and Clifton, and the Arizona now receiving undivided attention of the fort's artillery, Granite City backed out of the Pass and returned to invasion fleet of 18 other warships waiting offshore. Sachem and Clifton were disabled and captured in the action, though Granite City suffered no battle damage and none of the Union soldiers aboard were lost.

Patrolling the Texas coast

For the next 8 months, Granite City, though often in need of repairs to her weak machinery, actively participated in the blockade of the Texas coast. She captured schooner Anita 27 October 1863, schooner Amelia Ann 16 November, and bark Teresita 17 November.
In addition, the steamer supported two landings of troops on the Texas coast. With, she shelled Confederate cavalry off Pass Cavallo 31 December 1863, allowing Union reconnaissance forces to land successfully. Again on 19 January 1864, the two ships covered the landing of several hundred troops near Smith Point, Texas, and defended them by shelling shore positions.

Under attack, recaptured by Confederates

After 3 more months of grueling blockade duty, Granite City was dispatched with steamer to Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, to receive refugees. While thus engaged on 28 April 1864, the two ships came under attack by Confederate troops and shore batteries. After an hour's sharp engagement, both ships surrendered, placing Granite City back into Confederate custody.

''Granite City'' reverted to Confederate blockade runner, runs aground, breaks up

Fitted out as a Confederate blockade runner, her original occupation, Granite City was loaded at Galveston, Texas, and ran out of Velasco, Texas, 20 January 1865. The night was foggy and she succeeded in eluding the blockading squadron for a time, but the next day she was chased ashore by steamer, and soon broke up on the beach.