USS Massasoit was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.
Recommissioned 25 August 1864 in the tense days before General William Tecumseh Sherman's "march to the sea," she first patrolled the New England coast for Confederate raiders.
In October Massasoit joined Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
She took part in the 24 January 1865 duel with Confederate batteries at Howlett's House, and the following months stood by to prevent any southern rams from reaching the coast.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.