Terry, after studying these ships for a few days, I think I am indeed looking for the ships in the Eastern Gulf Blockading Squardon or EGBS. Both the USS DeSoto and Tahoma look promising. Did the EGBS have its own hosptial ship say in 1864? I know there was a Marine Hospital at Key West, but I have noticed that there also might be a hospital ship for the EGBS. In June of 1864 yellow fever seemed to be a huge problem for the EGBS and in fact if the ship did have the fever I have read that they were NOT allowed to stop at Key West for fear of spreading the disease. Hopefully I will be in Washington DC next month so any additional information before hand will be useful. Time goes by so quick there as you know. Thx Dennis