Thursday, September 6, 2012

The 150th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Army Gunboat Picket(t)

I doubt that anyone else is observing this event, but here goes with some more information I found on this ship.

From the August 8, 1984, Washington (NC) Daily News.

The wreck of the Picket(t) lies in 15 feet of water on the south side of the Tar River near the US-17 bridge.  People in town would like to find a place to house the items that have been brought up from the ship.

The Picket(t) was a 200-ton boat mounting one 30-pdr Parrott gun and two other light guns.

On the morning of September 6, 1862, Confederate infantry supported by cavalry and artillery attacked Washington.  The USS Louisiana and Picket(t) helped turn the enemy back.  But, for unknown reasons, there was an explosion and the Picket(t) went down.  A captain and 19 crew members were aboard.

Plans call for divers to investigate the wreck and focus on two area:  a grid plan to see what there is and the stern area as there is some disagreement as to whether the ship was a sidewheeler or propeller driven.

And, I Found a Little More.  --Old B-Runner

No comments:

Post a Comment