USS Henry Brinker ( 1861 ) USS " Henry Brinker " ( 1861 ) was a small steamship acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War . She was placed into service as a gunboat and assigned to the blockade of ports of the Confederate States of America . Constructed in Brooklyn , New York , in 1861 . " Henry Brinker " was built in 1861 in Brooklyn , New York , and was purchased at New York City by the Navy 29 October 1861 from her owner , Henry Brinker . She arrived Hampton Roads , Virginia , 15 December 1861 and was commissioned that day , Acting Master John E . Giddings commanding . Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade . After sailing to Baltimore , Maryland , 24 December , " Henry Brinker " arrived Hatteras Inlet 10 January 1862 to begin her duties as a unit of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron . Participating in the attack on Roanoke Island . Her first major action was the joint attack on Roanoke Island , the gateway to Albemarle Sound . " Henry Brinker " engaged Confederate shore batteries 7 February and helped to clear the obstructions next morning which paved the way for the capture of the Southern positions . Thus Norfolk , Virginia , was cut off from its lines of supply and the Union gained an important advantage . The Confederate squadron under Flag Officer Lynch which had been at Roanoke Island withdrew up the Pasquotank River , with Union ships in hot pursuit . " Henry Brinker " and the other ships of Commander Rowan ' s flotilla engaged the squadron and batteries at Elizabeth City , North Carolina , capturing or sinking all the Southern vessels and occupying the town . Attack and capture of New Bern , North Carolina . Continuing their series of spectacular successes in North Carolina , Commander Rowan and General Ambrose Burnside next captured New Bern , North Carolina . The flotilla , composed of thirteen warships including " Henry Brinker " and a group of troop transports , got underway 12 March from Hatteras Inlet and arrived New Bern the next day . The Confederate forts were engaged by gunboats , the obstructions surmounted , and troops landed under cover of Navy guns . New Bern and a great quantity of important supplies were soon in Union hands . " Henry Brinker " was assigned to Albemarle Sound following the victory at New Bern , patrolling to suppress trade and contain the Confederate guerrilla activity . On this duty she participated in a reconnaissance up the Chowan River 3 – 23 August 1862 . For the next months " Henry Brinker " patrolled from her base at Hatteras Inlet , stopping frequently at Plymouth , North Carolina , and New Bern , North Carolina . During this period she performed occasional guard duty at Hatteras Inlet as well . Expedition up the Bay River . The ship participated 22 June 1863 in another expedition , this time up the Bay River , and in company with captured Confederate schooner " Henry Clay " and another small schooner carrying turpentine . Final operations of the war . " Henry Brinker " continued her operations in the Sound until ordered back to Hampton Roads in November 1863 for repairs . Stopping at Hampton Roads , she continued to Baltimore , Maryland , where she repaired until 9 April 1864 , when she was assigned as a ship ' s tender to at Newport News , Virginia . Remaining inactive at Newport News until June , " Henry Brinker " was sent up the Pamunkey River to White House , Virginia , 23 June to support the Army in local operations . After briefly rendering fire support , the ship returned to Yorktown , Virginia . Post - war decommissioning and sale . " Henry Brinker " returned to Hampton Roads to repair 1 July 1864 , and remained there until decommissioned 29 June 1865 . She was sold 20 July 1865 .