Tag: side-wheeler Thomas Collyer

Gibson and Gibson, Dictionary of Transports and Combatant Vessels Steam and Sail Employed by the Union Army, 1861-1868 says: THOMAS COLLYER; sidewheel steamer; 446 tons; 531 tons. Chartered Mar 21-June 25, 1863. Reported during May 1863 as being troopshipt on amphibious assault operations into the Neuse River of North Carolina. Reported during the following spring to be assigned duty within the Carolina sounds, still apparently under charter. In Apr 1864, she was sent from New Berne, North Carolina, to Washington, North Carolina, loaded with 600 troops. These were apparently being sent to support an orderly evacuation from Washington, North Carolina, as the post there was to be abandoned. Quartermaster records state vessel was purchased by the Quartermaster Department on July 7, 1863, at New York City for $80,000. Records show her as being owned by government (Army) as of Oct. 15, 1864. Surprisingly, though, Quartermaster charter records show her as being chartered from Nov 1, 1864-May 5, 1865.