USS Underwriter ( 1852 ) USS " Underwriter " ( 1852 ) was a 341 - ton steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War . " Underwriter " was outfitted as a gunboat , whose primary task was to prevent ships from penetrating the Union blockade of Southern ports . Built in Brooklyn , New York , in 1852 . " Underwriter " — a side - wheel steamer built in 1852 at Brooklyn , New York — was purchased by the Navy at New York City on 23 August 1861 ; and commissioned there on 22 August , Lt . James M . Prichett in command . Civil War operations . Assigned to the Potomac River Flotilla . Assigned to the Potomac Flotilla , " Underwriter " arrived in the Potomac River off Aquia Creek , Virginia , ill prepared for active duty , and proceeded to the Washington Navy Yard on 28 August for extensive repairs and alterations . While laid up , she was transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron . The vessel sailed for Hampton Roads , Virginia , on 3 October and joined the blockade off Hatteras Inlet , North Carolina , on 9 October . Transferred to the North Atlantic Blockade . " Underwriter " , , and left Hatteras Inlet on 14 November and proceeded southwest to Ocracoke Inlet . There , they scuttled three stone - filled hulks , effectively closing the inlet to Confederate shipping . The three vessels also participated in the capture of Confederate works on Roanoke Island , North Carolina , on 7 and 8 February 1862 , and saw action during the capture of Elizabeth City , North Carolina , on 10 February . On 13 February , " Underwriter " , , , and proceeded up the North River , North Carolina , and placed obstructions at the mouth of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal . " Underwriter " also assisted in the capture of New Bern , North Carolina , on 13 and 14 March , knocking out a Confederate battery along the Neuse River during the attack . After additional support duties in both Albemarle and Albemarle Sounds , the vessel returned to Baltimore , Maryland , on 1 June for repairs . North Carolina operations . " Underwriter " left Baltimore in late July 1862 and returned to New Bern . She remained in the Neuse River off New Bern performing various reconnaissance and dispatch assignments — occasionally moving to different points in the North Carolina sounds . Underwriter sailed to Plymouth , North Carolina , in August and towed the prize schooner " Young Rover " to New Bern on 13 August . She was ordered to report to Plymouth for reconnaissance duty on 4 December and sailed from there to Hatteras Inlet on 17 December . On 4 January 1863 , she sailed down the Chowan River 15 miles beyond Winfield , North Carolina , and destroyed Confederate supplies . " Underwriter " evacuated Union forces from Winfield during the siege and threatened capture of Plymouth in April . She was stationed in Albemarle Sound later that month and returned to Plymouth in May . " Underwriter " stood down the Neuse River in June and was ordered to report to the blockade off Hatteras Inlet on 16 December . She returned to New Bern on 10 January 1864 . Captured by Southern forces during a surprise attack . While lying at anchor off New Bern , " Underwriter " was captured by a Confederate boat crew early on the morning of 2 February . The Southerners were led by Commander John Taylor Wood , grandson of President Zachary Taylor and nephew of President Jefferson Davis . Wood and his men caught " Underwriter " by surprise and took her in hand - to - hand combat , killing Acting Master Jacob Westervelt and capturing most of the vessel ' s officers and crew . The gunboat did not have steam up , forcing the Confederates to burn her as they were under heavy fire from surrounding Union batteries . " Underwriter " burned to the waters ' edge . However , her boilers and engines survived relatively unscathed and were later salvaged .