USS Buckthorn (1863)

USS Buckthorn was a steamship acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used as a fleet tender and dispatch vessel in support of the Union Navy blockade along Confederate coastal waters.

Service in the Navy
Buckthorn, was a wooden hull, screw steamer, 87 feet in length and outfitted with one mast. She was built in 1863 at East Haddam, Connecticut, as Signal; purchased by Rear Admiral Gregory for the Navy from George W. Jewett for the sum of $26,500 on December 22, 1863; and commissioned at New York City April 7, 1864, acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. Godfrey in Command. Buckthorn was a strongly built vessel and was well adapted for service as a tug. Buckthorn served on the Union side with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the American Civil War, and participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay (August 5, 1864). She acted as a tender for the fleet and was also used as a dispatch vessel throughout her career.

Post-Civil War service
After the Civil War she served at Pensacola Navy Yard until laid up in 1868. After a brief service at Pensacola Buckthorn was sold for $3,000 at Pensacola, Florida, September 7, 1869.