Naval happenings 150 Years Ago: April 24th, 1862-- A Really Bad day for the Confederacy

From the Civil War Naval Chronology.

Perhaps Confederate ground forces were doing well so far in the war, but not so in the naval department.  Other than a few raiders getting put and doing damage and the CSS Virginia's first day attacking the Union fleet in Hampton Roads, the rest is just plain bad.

And today was one of the worst of all.

APRIL 24TH

Flag Officer Farragut's fleet ran past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and engaged the Confederate ships.  At 2 AM, the USS Hartford signaled to get underway in three divisions through the gap in the obstructions that had been opened.  A hot fight between the forts and ships developed.

The Hartford got aground near Fort St. Philip and was set afire by a fire raft.  Farragut directed the extinguishing of the fires. 

The USS Varuna was rammed twice and sank.  Eight Confederate ships were destroyed and the pride of the fleet, the CSS Manassas, was driven ashore by the USS Mississippi and sunk.  Two more surrendered and two others were sunk to prevent capture.

Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory wrote, "The destruction of the Navy at New Orleans was a sad, sad blow..."

The fate of New Orleans was decided.


**  The CSS Nashville made a successful run into Wilmington with 60,000 stand of arms and 40 tons of powder.

Well, One Good Thing, But That Sure Doesn't Offset the Loss of New Orleans.  --Old B-R'er