The USS Pursuit was a bark acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War, purchased in New York City on 3 September 1861 and commissioned on 17 December 1861 under the command of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant David Cate. As a sailing vessel, it was utilized primarily for blockading operations along the Florida coast and in Cuban waters as part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. The Pursuit's armament and specific dimensions are not detailed in the provided source, but it served effectively as a blockade vessel, capturing numerous Confederate and neutral vessels. Its first prize was the schooner Anna Belle, taken off Apalachicola, Florida, on 6 March 1862. Subsequently, it captured the sloop La Fayette and the steamer Florida in St. Joseph's Bay in April 1862, and on 28 May, it ran down the schooner Andromeda off the Cuban coast. These captures contributed to the Union’s efforts to restrict Confederate supply and communication lines. One notable incident occurred on 27 March 1863 when the Pursuit engaged in a skirmish off Gadsden's Point in Tampa Bay. Initially mistaking a group of people waving a white flag for runaway slaves or Confederate deserters, the ship sent a boat ashore. The group turned out to be Confederate soldiers, who ambushed the boat, injuring four crew members. The Pursuit responded by firing shells into the rebels, though with no apparent effect. Throughout 1863 and 1864, the vessel continued its blockade duties, capturing the sloop Kate at the Indian River on 23 June 1863 and destroying salt works on St. Joseph’s Bay in late December. Its final prizes included the cotton boat Peep O'Day and the British schooner Mary, taken in December 1864 and March 1865, respectively. After the war, the USS Pursuit returned to New York, was decommissioned on 5 June 1865, and sold on 12 July 1865. The vessel played a significant role in Union blockade efforts, disrupting Confederate commerce and contributing to the Union victory in 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.