Trisha Shetty (Editor)

USS Epsilon (1864)

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Ordered
  
as Harry Bumm

Launched
  
date unknown

In service
  
circa June 1864

Length
  
20 m

Draft
  
2.29 m

Laid down
  
date unknown

Acquired
  
3 June 1864

Out of service
  
circa June 1865

Weight
  
55.9 tons

USS Epsilon (1864) was a tugboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a tugboat and dispatch boat to support Union Navy patrol vessels on Confederate waterways.

Contents

Acquisition and name change from Tug No. 5 to Epsilon

Epsilon, a steam tug, was purchased as Harry Bumm at Philadelphia, 3 June 1864, and assigned to duty in the James River, Acting Ensign E. M. Boggs in command. She was known as Tug No. 5 until November 1864 when she was named Epsilon.

Performing various services during tour of duty on the James

Throughout her career, Epsilon performed useful service in the James, reconnoitering, patrolling, serving as picket, carrying mail, and transferring men from one ship's company to another.

Post-war decommissioning and disposal

Epsilon was ordered north in May 1865 and was sold at New York City 12 July 1865.

References

USS Epsilon (1864) Wikipedia