The USS Hendrick Hudson was a schooner-rigged screw steamer constructed in 1859 in Greenpoint, New York, with its origins in Florida. During the Civil War, she initially served as a Confederate vessel named CSS Florida before being captured by the Union Navy. On April 6, 1862, the vessel was seized by the USS Pursuit while attempting to run the blockade at St. Andrews Bay, Florida. She was taken to Philadelphia, where she was condemned by the prize court and purchased by the U.S. Department of the Navy on September 20, 1862. Renamed USS Hendrick Hudson, she was commissioned on December 30, 1862, under Acting Master John E. Giddings. Assigned to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, she sailed to Hampton Roads and then proceeded to her station off East Pass, St. George's Sound, Florida, where she began blockade duties on February 1, 1863. Her role was to cut off Confederate commerce through Florida’s numerous small inlets. Throughout her service, she captured two schooners, Margaret on February 1 and Teresa on April 16, 1863. After repairs in Boston, she returned to active duty off the mouth of the Suwannee River in late December 1863. On March 21, 1864, Hendrick Hudson was involved in an incident where she accidentally rammed and sank the blockade runner Wild Pigeon during an engagement near Key West. Her service included patrols in Tampa Bay and St. Marks, Florida, and participation in an expedition near St. Marks from February 27 to March 7, 1865, supporting Union Army operations during the Battle of Natural Bridge. Notably, two sailors from her crew, Seaman John Mack and Coxswain George Schutt, were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during this campaign. Following the Civil War, Hendrick Hudson was decommissioned in August 1865 and sold in September. She then entered commercial service but was wrecked off Havana, Cuba, on November 13, 1867. Her passengers and crew were rescued, ending her maritime career. The vessel’s history highlights her active participation in Union blockade efforts and her role in significant Civil War operations along the Florida coast.

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