USS Brooklyn emerged during the lead-up to the American Civil War (1861-1865) and she subsequently led a storied wartime career that took her through some of its most notable campaigns. Her keel was laid down in 1857 by builder Jacob A. Westervelt & Son and she was launched to sea the following year. She was formally commissioned on January 26th, 1859, named after the Long Island city of Brooklyn (New York). Five "screw sloops" - of which Brooklyn was one - were authorize by the United States government in 1857.
Her first command was Captain David G. Farragut and sea trials led her to South Carolina waters. From there she voyaged to various points in the Caribbean including Mexico where the "Reform War" (1857-1861) raged. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, USS Brooklyn tried, unsuccessfully, to resupply / reinforce Union elements confined to Fort Sumter (South Carolina). She then repelled Confederate attacks at Fort Pickens (Pensacola, Florida) and found her way to Ship Island (Mississippi) where she captured the escaping vessel "Magnolia". From there USS Brooklyn took part in the attacks on Fort St. Phillip and Fort Jackson, surviving a ramming attempt from CSS Manassas and she participated in the capture of New Orleans and supported forces at Vicksburg. After a time in Gulf waters, the Battle of Mobile Bay followed after which point she joined other navy and land forces in taking Fort Fisher.
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