USS Pulaski (1854)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Pulaski.
Sketch of the Metacomet (later USS Pulaski)
History
United States
NameUSS Pulaski
NamesakeCasimir Pulaski
Launched1854
Acquired
  • by charter 1858
  • purchased, 1859
Commissioned19 July 1861
Decommissioned22 January 1863
FateSold, 1863
General characteristics
TypeSteamer
Displacement395 long tons (401 t)
Length181 ft (55 m)
PropulsionSteam engine
Complement163 officers and enlisted
Armament3 × 12-pounder mortars

USS Pulaski, was a side-wheel steamship, in service with the United States Navy. She was named for Casimir Pulaski. Named Metacomet when built for commercial owners in 1854, she served as USS Pulaski from 1858 to 1863, when she was sold by the Navy.

Metacomet was built at New York City. She was chartered by the Navy in 1858 for use in the Paraguay expedition at monthly rate of $3,500, with an option to purchase her for $50,000. During the expedition she was commanded by Lieutenant William H. Macomb. In March 1859 she was deemed unseaworthy and not in a position to be navigated back to the United States.[1]

Subsequently purchased and renamed USS Pulaski, she operated in South American waters from early 1859 until 22 January 1863, when she was decommissioned and sold by auction at Montevideo, Uruguay. In the first months of 1865 she was purchased by Paraguay.[2] Until about 1870 she operated on the Río de la Plata as a civilian vessel.

  1. ^ Expenses of the Paraguay Expedition - House of Representatives, 36th Congress, 1st Session, Mis. Doc. No. 86 (May 11, 1860), p.106
  2. ^ Josefina Pla: The British in Paraguay, 1850-1870, The Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd., 1976, p. 97