Martin ScTug

Martin
(ScTug: t. 25; 1. 45'3"; b. 11'3"; dr. 5'9"; s. 6 k.; cpl. 9)

The first Martin, a screw tug built at Albany, N.Y., in 1864 was purchased by the Navy as James Martin at New York 16 June 1864; renamed Martin that same day and commissioned later in the month, Acting Ens. Rudolph S. Sommers in command.

Equipped as a torpedo boat, on 20 July Martin was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for picket-guard duty. On 27 July she was taken in tow along with sister tug Hoyt by screw steamer Monticello for convoy from Hampton Roads, Va., at Hatteras Inlet, N.C., arriving 2 days later.

Martin operated in the sounds of North Carolina, through 1864. On 29 September she accompanied gunboat Valley City up the ScuPPernong River to head off a group of Confederate conscriptors being chased by two Army steamers from the vicinity of the Alligator River. With Martin~s assistance as a tug, Valley City was able to position her guns on the stragglers with telling results. Martin later joined in the operations which led to the capture of Plymouth, N.C., between 29 October and 1 November.

After overhaul at Norfolk Navy Yard in early 1865, Martin returned to the sounds of North Carolina, in late February. She continued tug and picket duties through May before sailing north in June, to Philadelphia for decommissioning. Martin was sold there 10 August.