CSS Archer

CSS Archer was originally a fishing schooner captured by the Confederate cruiser CSS Tacony during the American Civil War and converted into a Confederate cruiser for commerce raiding.

History
Confederate States
Name: Archer
Captured:
  • June 25, 1863 by the CSS Tacony and converted to CSN service
  • June 28, 1863 by the steamer Forest City
Fate: Unknown
General characteristics
Complement: 4 officers, 17 men
Armament: 1 6-pounder boat howitzer

The CSS Tacony, commanded by Lt. Charles W. Read, captured the Archer on June 25, 1863 off the coast of Portland, Maine. Knowing that the Union was on a hunt for his ship, he transferred the crew and armaments to it and destroyed the Tacony.

Read decided to try to capture the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing on his way down the coast of New England. On June 27, 1863, the Archer sailed into the harbor of Portland, Maine and docked, disguising itself as a schooner. At night, the Cushing was boarded and the crew placed below decks. The Archer and the Caleb Cushing then sailed out of the harbor in the dawn. When the disappearance of the Cushing was noticed, ships were sent in pursuit, and due to the failing wind, were able to catch up and capture the Archer, but not before Read had set the magazine on board the Cushing on fire, which resulted in the Cushing's destruction.

Officers and crew
  • Lt. Charles W. Read, commander
  • Billups, Matthewson, and Pride, master's mates
  • Brown, engineer
  • 16 men

See also

Notes and references
  • J. Thomas Scharf (1996). History of the Confederate States Navy: From the Organization to the Surrender of Its Last Vessel. New York, NY: Gramercy Books. ISBN 0-517-18336-6.
  • This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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