The USS Beauregard was originally a Confederate privateer schooner, built and outfitted for combat and commerce raiding during the Civil War. The vessel was acquired by a private group led by A. F. W. Abrams in Charleston, South Carolina, and was commissioned as a privateer on October 14, 1861. It was armed with a single 24-pounder rifled gun and designed to accommodate a crew of about 40 men. The Beauregard was involved in privateering activities, successfully running the Union blockade on November 5, 1861, under the command of Captain Gilbert Hay, without any reported captures during its privateering period. However, the schooner was soon spotted and captured by Union forces. On November 12, 1861, Lt. William C. Rogers of the USS William G. Anderson intercepted the Beauregard in the Bahama Channel after a two-hour chase. Captain Hay surrendered the vessel, presenting his letter of marque from Jefferson Davis. The schooner was taken to Key West, where it was condemned by a prize court, with proceeds amounting to approximately $2,146.67. The U.S. Navy purchased the vessel from the court on February 24, 1862, for $1,810 and converted her for Union service. During her Union service, the Beauregard was armed with a single 30-pound rifled gun and two 12-pound howitzers, replacing her original privateer armament. She was assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron under Acting Master David Stearns and commissioned on March 28, 1862. The schooner primarily patrolled the Florida coast, capturing 11 blockade runners, and participated in coastal attacks, notably supporting operations against Tampa on April 2, 1863, and engaging at New Smyrna on July 28, 1863. The USS Beauregard served as an active patrol and combat vessel throughout the Civil War and was sold at Key West on June 28, 1865, marking the end of her service. Her history highlights the transition from Confederate privateering to Union blockade duty, exemplifying the multifaceted naval strategies during the Civil War.

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