too late to participate in the historic battle of mobile bay, "althea" busied herself in ensuing months supporting farragut's combatant ships as they joined army forces in operations against the city of mobile, alabama. on 12 april, the day mobile finally surrendered, "althea" struck a torpedo (naval mine) in the blakeley river and sank while returning from a run up that stream in which she had dragged primitive sweep gear in an effort to clear the channels of explosive devices. two members of her crew were killed in the accident, and three others—including the tug's commanding officer, acting ensign frederick a. g. bacon—were wounded.