Sailors from Rochester were spread Ito vessels all over the Union fleet. Most entered as landsmen, meaning they had no experience as sailors.
The USS Vermont was built in 1825 and mounted 74 cannons, but spent its whole career in "ordinary" at Boston Navy Yard. In other words, it was mothballed.
However, since Port Royal was being turned into a major Naval base for operations in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,a need was there for a receiving/supply ship to be on station and the old Vermont was the perfect ship for the task.
It was commissioned again Jan. 30, 1862, and quickly put into shape to sail and be towed to Port Royal. It left Boston under tow of the steamer Kensington. A major northwest gale struck off Cape Cod Light and brought snow along with it. By 8 PM, all the Vermont's sails were gone. The cable between the two ships was cut.
The next day, fear went through the ship when it was thought it was sinking, but it didn't. The ports on the berth deck broke open and water poured into the ship, but they were able to close them. Then, the rudder was lost and the ship drifted aimlessly with the wind and current. By the 26th, it was drifting eastward.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
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