Corypheus

Corypheus

The most celebrated grammarian and critic of Greek antiquity.

(Sch: t. 82; cpl. 28; a. 1 30-par. r., 1 24-par. how.)

The Confederate yacht Corypheus was captured by Calhoun 13 May 1862 in Bayou Bonfuea, La. Taken over by the Navy she was assigned to tender duty for the bark Arthur off Aransas Pass, Tex., 12 June 1862, commanded by Acting Master A. T. Spear.

Operating off Corpus Christi on 12 August 1862 Corypheus participated in the capture of the armed schooner Breaker and forced the destruction of Hannah and Elma by their own men. She took part in the engagements at Corpus Christi on 16 and 18 August, and while returning to Aransas Bay, captured the blockade runner Water Witch.

Arriving at Galveston 28 December 1862, Corypheus fired in the Battle of Sabine Pass on 1 January 1863. Corypheus fought valiantly and cleared amid a rain of fire from the enemy when the Union force withdrew. Admiral D. G. Farragut wrote of her officers and crew that they acted with uncommon coolness and great courage, keeping up their fire for the protection of the soldiers on shore, and when ordered to abandon their vessel, preserved and safely extricated their ship although left entirely by themselves except for Sachem.

Her next duty was on Lake Pontchartrain where she was stationed to break up the small-craft baffle crossing between New Orleans and coastal waters. She remained on this duty until November 1864 when she was ordered to Pensacola. Following repairs, she was stationed in the waters around Mobile, Ala., until sold 15 September 1866.