The USS Piscataqua was a screw steamer launched on June 11, 1866, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. She was commissioned on October 21, 1867, under the command of Captain Daniel Ammen. As a screw steamer, she was propelled by a screw propeller driven by steam engines, a common propulsion method during the post-Civil War era, although specific dimensions and tonnage are not provided in the available source. After commissioning, the USS Piscataqua set sail on December 16, 1867, bound for the East Indies via the Cape of Good Hope. She arrived at Singapore on April 18, 1868, and served as the flagship for the Asiatic Station. During her time in the Far East, she visited ports across China, Japan, and the Philippines, establishing a presence in the region during a period of significant geopolitical activity. Notably, from 1868 to 1869, she played a protective role during Japan's civil war, safeguarding American citizens and interests amid the internal conflict. In May 1869, her name was officially changed to USS Delaware. She continued her service until August 23, 1870, when she departed Singapore to return to the United States. Arriving in New York on November 19, 1870, the vessel was decommissioned shortly thereafter, on December 5, 1870. She remained at the New York Navy Yard until her sinking in 1876. The USS Delaware was subsequently sold for scrapping in February 1877. Although her operational history was relatively brief, the USS Piscataqua—later renamed Delaware—served as a representative example of the post-Civil War U.S. Navy's efforts to project power and protect American interests in Asia during a tumultuous period of regional upheaval.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.