USS Kensington ( 1862 ) The second USS " Kensington " was a steamship in the United States Navy . " Kensington " was built at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , by J . W . Lynn in 1858 and was purchased by the Union Navy at Boston , Massachusetts , 27 January 1862 . She commissioned at Boston Navy Yard on 15 February , Acting Master Frederick Crocker in command . Service history . Blockading operations . The wooden steamer departed Boston on 24 February 1862 for the Gulf of Mexico , but heavy winds , rough seas , and engine trouble required her to stop at Charleston , South Carolina , for repairs . While , at Charleston she was of great service to ships of the North Atlantic Squadron furnishing them with fresh water . The supply and water vessel resumed her voyage in April and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron at New Orleans , Louisiana , 4 May . Ordered to the Mississippi . After bringing water and supplies to Flag Officer David Farragut ' s ships blockading the Gulf Coast , " Kensington " was ordered to ascend the Mississippi River towing and , both of Commodore David D . Porter ' s Mortar Flotilla . While passing Ellis Cliffs the three ships came under fire of Confederate batteries . Their answering salvos silenced the Southern guns enabling the Union force to continue passage to Vicksburg . After placing her charges in position to bombard the cliff side batteries which defended Vicksburg , " Kensington " remained with Porter ' s flotilla issuing water and supplies and from time to time assisting sailing ships to change positions . After dropping down the river in mid - July , the water and supply ship visited blockaders stationed along the Louisiana and Texas coast . She joined and in bombarding a Confederate fort at Sabine Pass , Texas , on 25 September . The action was broken off when defending troops spiked their guns and evacuated the fort . Though Sabine Pass surrendered the next day , a shortage of troops prevented the Union Navy from occupying the area . Nevertheless , this operation and similar attacks were a constant drain on Southern strength , and compelled the Confederacy to disperse its forces widely . Capturing Confederate Vessels . During operations along western Gulf coast in September and October , " Kensington " captured British blockade running schooner s " Velocity " . " Adventure " , " Dart " , and " West Florida " . She also took Confederate schooners " Conchita " , " Dart " , and " Mary Ann " ; sloop " Eliza " ; and steamer " Dan " . " Kensington " began her voyage to Pensacola , Florida , with her prizes 13 October , delivering water en route to blockading ships stationed along the coast of Texas . Arriving Pensacola , 24 October , the fighting supply ship began operating from that base , capturing Confederate schooner " Course " on 11 November and British schooner " Maria " the next day . " Kensington " moved to New Orleans , Louisiana , 26 January 1863 and five months later set sail for New York City for long needed repairs . Back in fighting trim by 1 August 1864 , " Kensington " functioned as a supply vessel for ships of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 30 November . She sailed from Boston as a transport vessel on 7 December visiting Port Royal , Key West , Florida , Mobile , Alabama , Pensacola , and New Orleans . After returning to New York on 11 January 1865 , " Kensington " made two similar voyages to Southern ports . Decommissioning . " Kensington " was decommissioned 5 May 1865 . She was sold at public auction at New York to Brown & Co . on 12 July 1865 and redocumented 31 July . " Kensington " sank after colliding with an unknown sailing vessel at sea on 27 January 1871 .