Built at Philadelphia as a tug under the name YORK RIVER.
64 Tons, dim. 180 x 18 x7ft.
She was used in Georgetown D.C., and purchased by the State of Virginia in 1861, and assigned to the naval forces in the James River, with Lt. J. H.Rochelle, Virginia State Navy in command.
The aging tugboat was renamed CSS TEASER.
Armament 1 – 32pdr., 1 – 12pdr.
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She took an active part in the battle of Hampton Roads, Va., on 8-9 March 1862, acting as tender to CSS VIRGINIA.
Upon the secession of that state TEASER became a part of the Confederate Navy and continued to operate in Virginia waters.
She received the thanks of the Congress of the Confederate States for this action.
CSS TEASER was a pioneer “aircraft carrier” (Balloon ship). She also became a pioneer minelayer when ordered on 17 June 1862 of that year to assist Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
Under Lt. H. Davidson, CSN, she was used by the Confederate Naval Submarine Battery Service to plant and service “torpedoes” (mines) in the James River. While engaging MARATANZA at Haxall’s on the James River on 4 July 1862, a Union shell blew up TEASER’s boiler and forced her crew to abandon ship.
When seized by MARATANZA, TEASER was carrying on board a balloon for aerial reconnaissance of Union positions at City Point and Harrison’s Landing.
TEASER was taken into the Federal Navy, and the rest of the Civil War she was used in the Potomac Flotilla.
Sold at Washington, D.C. on 24 June 1865,
Grenada 2002 $1 sg?, scott?
Source: Watercraft Philately 2002/02