USS Pembina, a 691-ton Unadilla class screw steam gunboat, was built at New York City and commissioned in October 1861. She was immediately sent to participate in the attack on Port Royal, South Carolina, during which she engaged Confederate gunboats and fortifications. After Port Royal was taken in November, Pembina took part in operations to cut Savannah, Georgia, off from the sea. During the first four months of 1862, she remained active in Georgia and Florida waters, then shifted her efforts to the South Carolina coast, where she captured a blockade-running schooner in June.

In 1863, Pembina was sent to join the blockade of the Gulf coast. She took two sailing vessels off Mobile Bay, Alabama, in April 1863 and another off Texas late in 1864. In August 1864, Pembina also supported the penetration and capture of Mobile Bay's entrances. The gunboat was sent north after the end of the Civil War. She decommissioned in September 1865 and was sold in November. Renamed Charles E. Gibson, and soon converted to a schooner, she subsequently had a long career in the merchant service.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Pembina (1861-1865).

Photo #: NH 59367 "Our New Gun-boats" Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume. It depicts ten of the "90-Day Gunboats" constructed for the U.S. Navy in 1861-62. Ships, as identified below the image bottom, are (from left, all USS): Chippewa, Sciota, Itasca, Winona, Huron, Ottawa, Pembina, Seneca, Unadilla and Sagamore.
Photo #: NH 59316 "Portion of the Naval Expedition, as it appeared on the night of October 16, sailing to Hampton Roads. -- Sketched by an Officer on Board." 1861 Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume, pages 712. It depicts Flag Officer DuPont's squadron en route to capture Port Royal, South Carolina. Ships, all U.S. Navy, as identified below the image bottom, are (from left): Wabash, Florida, Augusta, Alabama, Ottawa, Seneca and Pembina.
Photo #: NH 59315 "The Great Naval Expedition" to capture Port Royal, South Carolina, November 1861 Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume, pages 696-697. It depicts Federal warships and transports, under Flag Officer Samuel F. DuPont, USN, departing Hampton Roads, Virginia, en route to Port Royal. Ships, as identified below the image bottom, are (from left): (illegible), Oriental, Baltic, USS O.M. Pettit, USS Gem of the Sea, Great Republic, USS Wabash (DuPont's flagship), USS Seneca, USS Pembina, USS Connecticut, tug Mercury, USS Unadilla, USS Augusta, USS Alabama and (illegible).
Photo #: NH 59319 "Army & Navy Reconnoissance. Tuesday Morning Nov. 5" 1861 Line engraving published in "The Soldier in Our Civil War", Volume I, page 189, depicting Federal ships investigating Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, prior to their successful attack on Confederate fortifications there. Ships and other items identified across the bottom of the print include (from left to right): USS Mercury, with Generals Sherman and Stevens & staff on board; USS Penguin, with Hilton Head Battery beyond; USS Pawnee; Broad River (in distance); CSS Huntress (distance); USS Seneca; steamer Screamer (distance); USS Ottawa with Capt. Rogers & General Wright on board; steamer Everglades (distance, beyond Ottawa; USS Pembina; CSS Lady Davis (distance); Beaufort River (distance); Bay Point Battery (distance); USS Curlew; Confederate camp (distance); USS Isaac Smith.
Photo #: NH 59256 Bombardment and Capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, 7 November 1861 Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861 volume, pages 760-761. It depicts Federal warships, under Flag Officer Samuel F. DuPont, USN, bombarding Fort Beauregard (at right) and Fort Walker (at left). The Confederate squadron commanded by Commodore Josiah Tattnall is in the left center distance. Subjects identified below the image bottom are (from left): tug Mercury, Fort Walker, USS Wabash (DuPont's flagship), Screamer (?), USS Susquehanna, CSS Huntsville, Commo. Tattnall, USS Bienville, USS Pembina, USS Seneca, USS Ottawa, USS Unadilla, USS Pawnee, USS Mohican, USS Isaac Smith, USS Curlew, USS Vandalia, USS Penguin, USS Pocahontas, USS Seminole, Fort Beauregard, USS R.B. Forbes and "Rebel Camp".
Photo #: NH 59309 "Reconnoissance of Vernon River, Ossabaw Sound, Georgia, Discovery of a Rebel Battery and Camp.", 11 December 1861 Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January 1862. It depicts Federal warships engaging the Confederate battery, shown in the far left distance. Ships, as identified below the image bottom, are (from left): USS Seneca, USS Pembina, USS Ottawa and Steamer Mary Andrew. For the original sketch from which this engraving was made, see Photo # NH 59310.
Photo #: NH 59310 "Discovery of a Rebel Battery and Camp on Vernon River, Ga.", 11 December 1861 Sketch by William Crane, artist for Harper's Weekly, presented by the artist to Lieutenant Thomas H. Stevens, Commanding Officer of USS Ottawa. It depicts the U.S. Navy gunboats Seneca, Pembina, Ottawa and steamer Mary Andrew, "at the time of Rebel Battery opening fire". The Federal ships were under the command of Commander C.R.P. Rodgers of USS Wabash. This sketch apparently served as the basis for the engraving seen in Photo # NH 59309.
Photo #: NH 59284 "Gun-Boats Entering Savannah River above Fort Pulaski" Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1862 volume, page 132. It depicts USS Pembina (left center) and USS Unadilla (right) engaging Confederate gunboats under Commodore Josiah Tattnall while entering the Savannah River, Georgia, to cut off Fort Pulaski, 22 February 1862.
Photo #: NH 59373 USS Pembina (1861-1865) Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", July-December 1861, depicting the ship under construction at the Thomas Stack shipyard, New York City. Pembina was launched on 28 August 1861.