USS Mount Washington ( 1846 ) USS " Mount Washington " was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War . She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat assigned to patrol Confederate waterways . The side wheel gunboat " Mount Vernon " , built at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , in 1846 , was seized by order of the War Department 21 April 1861 and transferred to the Navy on that date for active duty with the Potomac Flotilla , Lt . J . Glendy Sprosteon in command . Assigned to duty on the Potomac River to protect Washington , D . C . . After fitting out at the Washington Navy Yard ( striking the wharf in the process ) , " Mount Vernon " was ready for duty . In May she reconnoitered the Potomac River and up the Rappahannock River 16 May to Urbana , meeting no southern forces . She chased a steamer 16 May and noted , the 18th , that people on shore were most mistrustful . During the summer , she served as a utility boat . Dispatched 26 June to seize a small sloop convoying armed men from the Maryland to Virginia shores , she departed the Washington Navy Yard 28 June for Fortress Monroe . On 5 July , she towed " Teaser " , the sloop captured by , from Nanjemoy to Washington , D . C . . Part of the James River Squadron later in July , she was in Aquia Creek in August , where dispatched her for Freehora . She carried troops to Aiken ' s Landing 17 August . Change of name to USS " Mount Washington " . In this area for the remainder of 1861 , " Mount Vernon " changed her name to " Mount Washington " 4 November 1861 to prevent confusion . She carried provisions for the squadron in 1862 , arriving Norfolk , Virginia , from Washington , D . C . , 12 July with ordnance stores . She towed to Hampton Roads , Virginia , 24 December 1862 . Heavy action encountered in Virginia waterways . " Mount Washington " saw heaviest action in 1863 in the Siege of Suffolk , Virginia . She towed to Washington 8 January , joining the campaign in April . She found aground at the mouth of the Nampony River 13 April and learned that the Confederates planned to cross the river to attack the Union ' s rear forces at Suffolk , Virginia , and to silence the gunboats for this purpose . In the subsequent Battle of Suffolk at the Norfleet House Battery , " Mount Washington " exchanged artillery fire with the Confederates at Hampton Roads , 14 April , meeting sharp musketry . Four sailors temporarily assigned to " Mount Washington " were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during this battle : Coxswain Robert Jordan , Seaman Henry Thielberg , Coxswain Robert B . Wood , and Seaman Samuel Woods . Later in April , she and " Stepping Stones " were fired on at Norfleet ' s Point . Towing " West End " downriver , " Mount Washington " ran aground but moved off with the next high tide . Four Negroes boarded her a few days later , reporting no sign of Confederates ; nevertheless , " Mount Washington " was fired on moments later , and a severe engagement ensued . Severely damaged , " Mount Washington " continues her work . After this venture , " Mount Washington " moved to the mouth of the Western Branch , 6 May , where she was completely riddled and disabled . Participating in the naval action against the batteries at Hatt ' s Point 12 May nearly destroyed her . She towed " Sangandon " off Jamestown Island 4 June . She joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Norfolk , Virginia , 25 February 1865 . End - of - war decommissioning , sale , and civilian career . In April , she served as supply ship downriver until decommissioning . She was sold at public auction at Baltimore , Maryland , 21 June 1865 . Redocumented 18 October 1865 , she continued to serve American commerce until 1880 .