R.R. Cuyler ScGbt

This Month in Naval History.

R. R. Cuyler, a steamer built in 1860 by Samuel Sneeden of New York for H. B. Cromwell & Co., served on that company's New York, Havana, and New Orleans line until laid up in March 1861 at the start of the Civil War. Then chartered by the War Department, she transported New York State militiamen to Washington and returned to New York where she was acquired by the Navy in May 1861, although not formally purchased until August.

Stationed off Mobile Bay during May, R. R. Cuyler eaptured the steamer Eugenie and the schooners Nunter and Isabel. On 14 July, the steamer Kate Dale joined her list of prizes. After that capture, the gunboat was ordered to join ill the search for the Confederate raider Tallahaseee. While proceeding on that mission on 4 December, she stopped the steamer Arm~trong and after a search revealed contraband cargo, seized the vessel.

Following the end of the Civil War, R. R. Cuyler returned to New York where she was decommissioned on 1 July 1865 and sold at auction on 15 August to Russel Sturgis of New York. In December 1866, she was purchased by the Republie of Colombia and, after arrival at Cartagena, renamed El Rayo. She remained in Cartagena Harbor, the subject of a diplomatic dispute following a change of government, from February to September 1867. In mid-September, she was blown from her moorings during a storm and Krounded on a coral reef where she was abandoned.

© 1999 . All rights reserved.