USS Marblehead ( 1861 ) USS " Marblehead " was a built for the United States Navy during the American Civil War . " Marblehead " was launched by G . W . Jackman , Newburyport , Massachusetts , 16 October 1861 ; and commissioned on 8 March 1862 ; Lieutenant Commander Somerville Nicholson in command . Service history . First assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron , " Marblehead " took part in operations along the York and Pamunkey Rivers in Virginia . On 1 May 1862 , she participated in the shelling of Confederate positions at Yorktown , supporting General George McClellan ' s drive up the Peninsula toward Richmond . In an unusual engagement , the " Marblehead " was docked in Pamunkey River , Confederate cavalry commander JEB Stuart ordered a detachment of southerners to attack the docked ship , but were discovered by Union sailors and marines , who opened fire - Confederate horse artillery , under Major John Pelham unlimbered his guns and fired on " Marblehead " - as the ship got under way and the blueoats called back onto the ship , Pelham ' s guns raced the ship , firing at it as long as the horse can keep up with it . The " Marblehead " escaped , and was reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and commenced patrols off the southern east coast in search of Confederate vessels . With monitor in early February 1863 , she reconnoitered the Wilmington River , located in Georgia , in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the ironclad ram CSS " Atlanta " ( ex - " Fingal " ) . Later in the month , on the 23rd , she took possession of the prize " Glide " and her cargo of cotton which had been captured by the Coast Survey schooner s " Caswell " and " Arago " at the entrance of Tybee Creek , in Georgia , while en route to Nassau . During her patrols of the coastal rivers , " Marblehead " periodically engaged in operations on the Stono River , South Carolina , in support of the Union defenders of James Island . On 16 July 1863 , during an assault by Confederate forces on that position , the gunboat came under fire from Southern batteries at Grimball ' s Landing . Forced further down river , she continued to provide fire support and prevented Confederate reinforcements from reaching the main body of their attack force . She then joined in the bombardment of forts in Charleston , South Carolina harbor before heading north for repairs . Back on the Stono River with by November , she provided cover for Army troops as they sank piles as obstructions in the river above Legareville , South Carolina , on the 24th . The next month , on Christmas Day , Confederate batteries , in an attempt to remove the support provided by " Marblehead " and " Pawnee " , opened fire on the two gunboats . " Marblehead " suffered 20 hits , but was able to capture two of the enemy ' s 8 - inch seacoast howitzers before returning north for repairs and reassignment . Four of her sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during this engagement : Contraband Robert Blake , Boatswain ' s Mate William Farley , Quartermaster James Miller , and Landsman Charles Moore . On 2 June 1864 , she was ordered to serve as a practice ship for Naval Academy midshipmen at Newport , Rhode Island . A month later this service was interrupted as she resumed coastal patrol duties for five months . She then returned to Newport to serve as a practice ship . After completion of this duty , " Marblehead " arrived at the Washington Navy Yard where she decommissioned 19 September 1866 . Recommissioned the following month and assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron , she operated in the Caribbean for the next two years . On 18 August 1868 , she returned to the New York Navy Yard , decommissioned 4 September , and was sold on 30 September .