Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: September 8th to 11th,1862: Alabama Rolling and the Flying Squadron

SEPTEMBER 8TH

Commodore Wilkes ordered to command a "Flying Squadron" to seek out, capture or destroy the CSS Florida and Alabama.  The USS Wachusett, Dacotah, Cimarron, Sonoma, Tioga, Octorara, and Santiago de Cuba assigned to it.  The squadron did capture some blockade-runners, but never the Alabama or Florida.

USS Kingfisher landing party destroys the salt works at St. Joseph's Bay, Florida that could produce 200 bushels a day.   Three days later another salt works destroyed at St. Andrew's Bay, Florida, by USS Sagamore landing party.

CSS Alabama captured and burned whaling ship Ocean Rover near Azores.

SEPTEMBER 9TH

CSS Alabama captured and burned whaling ships Alert and Weather Gauge near Azores.


SEPTEMBER 11TH

USS Patroon and Uncas engage Confederate batteries at St. John's Bluff, Florida.  Uncas receives damage but force temporary abandonment of the batteries.

Old B-R'er