The USS Narcissus was a screw steamer originally launched in July 1863 under the name Mary Cook at East Albany, New York. Purchased by the Union Navy on September 23, 1863, in New York City from James D. Stevenson, the vessel was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on February 2, 1864, with Acting Ensign William G. Jones in command. As a steam-powered vessel, Narcissus was employed primarily in patrol and blockade duties during the American Civil War. After her commissioning, the Narcissus set sail southward, stopping at Port Royal, South Carolina, for fuel on February 14, before proceeding to the Gulf of Mexico. She joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at New Orleans late in February and was tasked with patrolling Mississippi Sound. Notably, on August 24, 1864, she captured the sloop Oregon in Biloxi Bay and transported her to New Orleans for adjudication. Following the Union victory at Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, Narcissus was ordered to Mobile Bay to support post-battle cleanup operations. On December 7, 1864, the vessel struck a Confederate torpedo off Mobile during a heavy storm and sank within approximately 15 minutes. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The ship was raised in late 1864, repaired at Pensacola early in 1865, and continued service as a dispatch boat in the Gulf until the end of the Civil War. Tragically, on January 4, 1866, the Narcissus ran aground during a gale northwest of Egmont Key, Florida. During attempts to free her, her boiler exploded, resulting in the complete destruction of the ship and the loss of all onboard. The wreck of the USS Narcissus was designated as Florida's twelfth Underwater Archaeological Preserve in January 2015, reflecting its maritime significance and historical value. The ship's service record underscores its role in Union naval operations during the Civil War, particularly in the Gulf blockade efforts.

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