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USS Nyack

A village in Rockland County, New York; name derived from Indian word meaning “point” or “corner”.

(ScGbt: dp. 836; l 179’6”; b. 29’8”; dr. 11’6”; s. 10 k.; a. 1 10–pdr. P.r., 1 30–pdr. P.r., 2 9” D.sb., 2 24–pdrs., 1 12–pdr. r., I heavy 12–pdr. r.)

Nyack, a wooden-hulled screw gunboat, was laid down at New York Navy Yard in 1863; launched 6 October 1863; and commissioned 28 September 1864, Lt. Comdr. L. Howard Newman in command.

Nyack joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Wilmington, N.C., for duty through the close of the Civil War. She joined in attacks on Fort Fisher in the Cape Fear River 24 and 25 December 1864, and participated in the capture of Fort Anderson nearby 18 and 19 February 1865.

Ordered to the Pacific in 1866, Nyack cruised the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, protecting American nationals while maintaining American neutrality during tension between Spain and her former colonies. She gave asylum to General Pardo, ex-President of Peru, 10 January 1868 as he fled revolutionary turmoil, carrying him safely to Valparaiso. After similar service to America’s foreign relations Nyack returned to San Francisco early in 1871, decommissioning 15 March 1871. She was sold there to W. E. Mighell 30 November 1883.

Tug Sioux (q.v.), was named Nyack (YT–19) 20 February 1918.

Submissions, corrections or suggestions kindly received by the editor at kaighin@iname.com Copyright 2004, 2005, Gregory D. Kaighin, All rights reserved