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Preble

USS Preble was a United States Navy sloop-of-war with 16 guns, built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, launched June 13, 1839 and commissioned in 1840. She was named after Commodore Edward Preble (1761–1807).

Construction and Commissioning
Preble was one of six war ships authorized to be constructed by The Congressional Act of 3 April 1837. The first of this group was Princeton, the Navy's first screw steamer. The other five became the 'Third Class Sloops' Preble, Yorktown, Dale, Marion, and Decatur and were built to the design of John Lenthall. Preble was constructed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, launched on 13 June 1839 and commissioned around 2 June 1840 CDR. Samuel L. Breese in command. Preble was the second ship named for Commodore Edward Preble who served the United State shipboard from the revolutionary War, rising to the rank of Commodore and return to Portsmouth Navy Yard where he engaged in shipbuilding activities.

Early Service
Preble first sailed for Special duty off Labrador from June to November 1840, then went to cruise in the Mediterranean Sea arriving 12 January 1841 and returned on 13 August 1843. She was attached to the African Squadron from 5 September 1844 to 25 September 1845. In 1846, Preble sailed from New York and joined the Pacific Squadron arriving at Valparaiso 26 January 1847. She participated in the Mexican–American War serving with the Pacific Squadron off the west coast for the remainder of the Mexican War.

East India Squadron and Japan
Preble served in the East India Squadron, from summer 1848 to November 1850. In 1849, Captain James Glynn took her first to Hong Kong and then to Nagasaki, Japan, on 18 April, where he became the first American to negotiate successfully with the "closed country." Cpt Glynn negotiated the release of survivors of the ship-wrecked whaler Lagoda, held prisoners by the Japanese. Accomplishing her mission, she sailed on the 26th to rejoin the East Indies Squadron at Shanghai. On 1 November 1850 she got underway for the United States. Arriving at New York 1 January 1851, she served as a practice ship for midshipmen from 1851 until 1858.

Paraguayan Punitive Expedition
In late 1858, Preble sailed for Paraguay to take part in the Paraguay Expedition against that country for firing on USS Water Witch (1851). She arrived at Asunción with 18 other vessels 25 January 1859, but the payment of an indemnity and an apology settled the affair peacefully. She returned to the United States in September 1860

Civil War Service
During the American Civil War, in July 1861, Preble joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron, and participated in the blockade of the Mississippi River. She shiftED east to Pensacola where she served as a guard ship.

Preble on 27 April 1863, moored in Pensacola Bay, caught fire due to the carelessness of a crewman. The vessel was abandoned and exploded. In 1963, the wreck of the Preble was discovered by Navy divers, who retrieved a number of artifacts.