CSS Pamlico

History
Confederate States
NamePamlico
OwnerConfederate States Navy
Completed1856
AcquiredJuly 10, 1861
CommissionedSeptember 2, 1861
FateBurned by crew, April 25, 1862
General characteristics
TypeSidewheel steamer
Displacement218 long tons (221 t)
Armament

CSS Pamlico was a sidewheel steamer that served in the Confederate States Navy during the early stages of the American Civil War. Originally a passenger vessel on Lake Pontchartrain, she was purchased by Confederate authorities on July 10, 1861, and converted into a gunboat. She participated in two minor naval actions in the vicinities of Horn Island and Ship Island in December, before taking part in two more small battles defending the Pass Christian area in March and April 1862. In late April, Union Navy ships passed the defenses of New Orleans, Louisiana. After ferrying Confederate troops out of the city, Pamlico was burned by her crew on Lake Pontchartrain on April 25 to prevent capture.