USS Pawnee ( 1859 ) The first USS " Pawnee " was a sloop - of - war in the United States Navy during the American Civil War . She was named for the Pawnee Indian tribe . " Pawnee " was laid down in 1858 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard ; launched 8 October 1859 , sponsored by Miss Grace Tyler ; and commissioned 11 June 1860 , Commander H . J . Hartstene in command . Service history . Home Squadron , 1860 . After shakedown , she departed Philadelphia 24 September with Flag Officer Garrett J . Pendergrast embarked to assume command of the Home Squadron operating off the coast of Mexico . She arrived off Vera Cruz 15 October , and , after a short cruise , returned to Philadelphia 12 December . Civil War , 1861 – 1865 . " Pawnee " spent the first three months of 1861 in Washington , D . C . and was sent on an expedition to Charleston , South Carolina 6 April to relieve Major Robert Anderson ' s garrison at Fort Sumter . Delayed by a severe storm , she arrived only to find that the Fort had been surrendered to Confederate forces . She returned to Washington and was immediately dispatched to Norfolk to secure the ships and stores of the Gosport Navy Yard . Arriving at Norfolk the night of 20 April , she found that all ships , save , had been scuttled , so an attempt was made to destroy the Naval stores and the dry dock . Their efforts were largely unsuccessful , but she took " Cumberland " in tow and saved the frigate . From May to August 1861 " Pawnee " , based at Washington , operated on the Potomac River , furnishing protection for surveying parties , bombarding Confederate shore batteries , convoying vessels and performing general blockade duty . On 24 May a party from the ship demanded and received the surrender of Alexandria , Virginia . In August " Pawnee " joined the Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Hampton Roads and sailed on the 26th for the North Carolina coast . There she participated in the attacks on Forts Hatteras and Clark ( 28 – 29th ) , which capitulated and were occupied by U . S . troops . " Pawnee " remained at Hatteras Inlet until 3 October , capturing four prizes and retaking two vessels previously captured by the Confederates . On 29 October " Pawnee " sailed from Hampton Roads on a joint military - naval expedition to Port Royal Sound on the South Carolina coast , which resulted in the capture of an invaluable base for the Union blockade and future amphibious operations . During this engagement " Pawnee " was struck by seven shells , which killed two of her crew . During the following year " Pawnee " continued operations along the coast of South Carolina , Georgia and Florida often sending boat parties into the various rivers and sounds . She took part in the occupation of Fernandina , Florida 3 March 1862 , and assisted in the operations on Stono River , South Carolina 28 – 30 May . Early in November she proceeded north for repairs , arriving Philadelphia on the 10th . " Pawnee " departed Philadelphia 6 January 1863 , took ironclad in tow at Hampton Roads , and arrived off Port Royal , South Carolina 10 February . For the remainder of the war , she operated with the South Atlantic Squadron in coastal reconnaissance off the southern states , engaging shore installations , and watching for blockade runners . Between 1 February and 18 June 1864 , she assisted in the capture of Confederate steamers " General Sumter " and " Hattie Brock " along with their valuable cargoes of cotton , turpentine , rosin and railroad iron . She also participated in the expeditions on Stono River , 1 – 10 July 1864 and Broad River 29 November 1864 . On 9 February 1865 , " Pawnee " accompanied by and , ascended the Togoda Creek , North Edisto , South Carolina and engaged three Confederate batteries , driving the enemy from their earthworks . On 23 February , along with other ships , she occupied Georgetown , South Carolina . " Pawnee " returned to Washington D . C . on 21 June and proceeded to Portsmouth where she decommissioned 26 July 1865 . South America , 1867 – 1869 . In 1866 she was repaired for further service and she recommissioned 2 January 1867 . Sailing from Portsmouth 24 April , she joined her squadron off Rio de Janeiro and operated in that area for two years protecting American citizens and their property during the war between Brazil and Paraguay . On 17 May 1869 , she sailed for home , arrived Portsmouth 9 July , and decommissioned 22 July . Hospital ship and storeship , 1870 – 1882 . Following a survey , " Pawnee ' s " machinery was removed and she was fitted out as a sailing ship . She transferred to Norfolk , Virginia 6 December 1869 where she was converted to a hospital and storeship . She recommissioned 17 December 1870 and sailed 7 January 1871 for the Gulf of Mexico . Stationed at Key West , Florida , " Pawnee " served as a hospital ship and receiving ship for the North Atlantic Station until April 1875 when she was towed to Port Royal , South Carolina for use as a storeship . She decommissioned 18 November 1882 and was struck from the Navy Register . On 3 May 1884 " Pawnee " was sold to M . H . Gregory , Great Neck , New York . Crew . The crew as of 1 January 1865 is indicated below .