USS Hatteras, a 1126-ton iron side-wheel gunboat, was built in 1861 at Wilmington, Delaware, as the civilian steamer Saint Marys. She was purchased by the Navy in September 1861 and commissioned a month later. Hatteras was initially assigned to the blockade of the Florida coast, where, in January 1862, she raided Cedar Keys, destroying facilities and seven schooners. Later in January, after being transferred to the Gulf of Mexico, she engaged CSS Mobile off Berwick, Louisiana. Over the next several months, Hatteras was very active against blockade runners, capturing several steamers and sailing vessels. On 11 January 1863, while off Galveston, Texas, she encountered the Confederate cruiser Alabama, which was masquerading as a British warship. After a short, vigorous action with her more heavily-armed opponent, USS Hatteras was sunk.

This page features our only views of USS Hatteras.

Photo #: NH 53690 USS Hatteras (1861-1863) (right) 19th Century print, depicting the sinking of Hatteras by CSS Alabama, off Galveston, Texas, 11 January 1863.
Photo #: NH 42372 USS Hatteras (1861-1863) -- in center In action with CSS Alabama, off Galveston, Texas, on 11 January 1863. Lithographed by A. Hoen & Co., Baltimore, Md. Hatteras was sunk in this engagement.