The USRC Ashuelot was a Pawtuxet-class screw schooner built for the United States Revenue Marine during the Civil War era. Launched on July 8, 1863, in New York City by shipbuilder John Englis, she measured approximately 130 feet in length with a beam of 26 feet 6 inches and a hold depth and draft of around 11 feet. Her hull was constructed from oak, locust, and white oak, reinforced with diagonal iron bracing, exemplifying the robust shipbuilding practices of the period. The vessel was powered by a two-cylinder oscillating engine from Novelty Iron Works, which drove an 8-foot diameter screw propeller, likely enabling her to reach speeds comparable to her sister ship USRC Kankakee’s 12 knots. She was also rigged as a topsail schooner, allowing auxiliary sail power. Armament on Ashuelot included a single 30-pounder Parrott rifle pivot gun and five 24-pounder howitzers, with one mounted in a pivot aft. Her crew comprised seven officers and 34 enlisted men, prepared for various operational duties. Although the exact date of her commissioning is unclear, records indicate she departed New York on November 28, 1864, and was assigned to Eastport, Maine, by December of that year. Ashuelot’s notable service includes her role in thwarting a Fenian Brotherhood armed raid on Campobello Island in April 1866, intercepting the brig Prey loaded with weapons intended for the raid. Later that year, she was transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, replacing her sister Kewanee, and performed duties such as towing lightships. Due to dissatisfaction with her machinery, she was decommissioned in April 1867 and sold in June for $28,300. Subsequently, she traveled to Japan under the names Takao and Kaiten No.2. Her maritime career ended when she was destroyed by her crew during the Battle of Miyako Bay in 1869 to prevent her capture. The Ashuelot’s service highlights her as a versatile vessel involved in significant Civil War era and post-war maritime operations.

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