CSS Winslow was a sidewheel steamer that was used as a gunboat in the early stages of the American Civil War.

In 1861, she was purchased at Norfolk, Virginia, and was equipped as a military vessel by the state government of North Carolina.

[3] The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) describes her as a river steamer, and notes that she had at least at one point been associated with Norfolk, Virginia.

All of the vessels of the Mosquito Fleet were converted civilian ships, of which Winslow was the fastest in its military form.

[3] The first of the North Carolina vessels to enter operational military service, Winslow was commanded by Lieutenant Thomas M.

The historian William R. Trotter names four of these vessels: the brigs Lydia Francis and Hannah White (who was a blockade runner captured by the Union Navy and then recaptured by Winslow), the bark Linwood, and the schooner Herbert Manton.

Hannah White and Herbert Manton had been loaded with molasses, Linwood with coffee, and Lydia Francis with sugar.

[10] When the fort fell to Union forces, Winslow and the gunboat CSS Ellis were able to evacuate some of the survivors.

Ships from the Union blockade attempted to rescue her crew, but were unable to do so due to weather and ocean conditions.