Naval History and Heritage Command

A genus of flowers of the aster family.

(Tug: tonnage 50; draft 6'0"; speed 10.0 knots)

Firefly, a paddle-wheel steam tug, was built by the Army at St. Louis, Mo. in 1862; turned over to the Navy on 1 October 1862; and named Dahlia on 24 October 1862.

Assigned to the Mississippi Flotilla under Rear Adm. David D. Porter, Dahlia was put into service with Acting Ensign Thomas Wright in command. She provided tug services in the Mississippi and its tributaries until 17 August 1865 when she was sold at Mound City, Illinois.

Updated, Robert J. Cressman

22 April 2024