Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago-- Jan 8-10, 1862

JANUARY 8TH

Flag Officer David Farragut appointed to command of West Gulf Blockading Squadron with flagship the USS Hartford, then at Philadelphia.  Boundaries of the command extended from West Florida to the Rio Grande.

A key part of his command was to be the capture of New Orleans, followed by a full-drive up the Mississippi River.

JANUARY 9TH

Fear as to the formidable new Confederate ironclad being built out of the old USS Merrimack continued to grow.  Plans for defense were being made.  Two tugs were kept at hand to tow the USS Congress and USS Cumberland into an advantageous line of fire if need be.

Union gunboats on the prowl at Port Royal and protecting the troops.


JANUARY 10TH

Flag Officer Foote taking grief from Navy Department in regards to mortar boats.  The western waters were not a great place to build naval ships.

Getting Ready for Roanoke.  --Old B-Runner

No comments:

Post a Comment