USS Whitehall ( 1850 ) USS " Whitehall " ( 1850 ) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War . She was assigned blockade duty ; however , her condition was not always considered seaworthy , and she was plagued with condition problems . " Whitehall " — a side - wheel gunboat and converted ferry built in 1850 at Brooklyn , New York — was purchased by the Navy there on 10 October 1861 and was commissioned soon thereafter at the New York Navy Yard , Acting Master Francis P . Allen in command . Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade . Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron , " Whitehall " sailed for Port Royal , South Carolina ; but her unseaworthy condition prevented her completing the voyage south . She put in to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , in early November for emergency repairs and stopped again at Hampton Roads for the same purpose a few days later . " Whitehall " left Newport News , Virginia , for Port Royal on 5 November — only to be forced back to Hampton Roads by high seas on 6 November . On 7 November , carpenters examining " Whitehall " declared her unseaworthy . Nevertheless , she was badly needed at Port Royal and proceeded south towed by on 12 November 1861 . Again " Whitehall " turned back , reentering Hampton Roads on 13 November 1861 . That same day , she was ordered to Baltimore , Maryland , for an extensive overhaul . Reassigned to the North Atlantic Blockade . " Whitehall " was reassigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in Hampton Roads on 29 November 1861 . She departed the Virginia Capes on 6 December 1861 , bound for Annapolis , Maryland , to pick up arms and provisions for the squadron and returned to Hampton Roads , On 29 December 1861 , " Whitehall " and eight other steamers engaged CSS " Sea Bird " in the roads shortly after the Confederate steamer had captured a water schooner and attacked the Army steamer , " Express " , which had been towing it . After an action lasting one - half hour , " Sea Bird " withdrew from the battle and retired under the protection of Confederate shore batteries . " Whitehall " and covered Union forces as they withdrew . “ The worst boat of all ferryboats . . . ” . On 2 January 1862 , " Whitehall " got underway for Hatteras Inlet , North Carolina . However , she immediately became disabled and returned to Hampton Roads . Flag Officer Louis M . Goldsborough , commanding the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron , called " Whitehall " " the worst sea boat of all the ferryboats with which I have had to do , and certainly the most unfortunate . " A survey taken of the vessel on 22 February 1862 found both her machinery and hull badly deteriorated . Action against the " CSS Virginia " . " Whitehall " saw her final action on 8 and 9 March 1862 against the Confederate ironclad CSS " Virginia " , the former " Merrimack " . On 8 March , federal gunboats , including " Whitehall " , attempted to draw the Rebel vessel away from Union warships anchored off Newport News , Virginia . Failing this , " Whitehall " engaged Confederate steamers " Yorktown " and CSS " Jamestown " , inflicting minor damage . During the Battle of the " Monitor " and " Merrimack " on 9 March 1862 , " Whitehall " and the rest of the Union fleet abstained from direct battle , preferring to fire long - range , ineffective shots at " Virginia " . " Whitehall " suffered three casualties and had parts of her upperworks burned by Confederate shot during the two days of activity . " Whitehall " destroyed by fire . Early on the morning of 10 March 1862 at Old Point Comfort , Virginia , a flash fire swept and totally destroyed " Whitehall " . There were no casualties . References .