Preston I ScStr

(ScStr: t. 428; 1. 170'; b. 23'1"; dph. 13'4")

The first Preston, a twin screw British blockade runner named Annie, was captured off New Inlet, N.C., 31 October 1864 by Wilderness and Niphon; purchased by the Navy from the New York Prize Court in December 1864; renamed Preston 2 February 1865; and commissioned 6 February 1865, Aeting Vohmteer Lt. J. R. Wheeler in command.

Assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, Preston departed New York 16 February and arrived at New Orleans g March. She operated along the Texas coast into Julv and on the 25th was ordered to Philadelphia. Decommissioned there 8 August 1865, she was sent to New York in November and sold at auction on the 30th.

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