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.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.