Friday, March 1, 2013

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: February 28th to March 2nd,1863-- Destruction of CSS Nashville

FEBRUARY 28TH

The monitor USS Montauk, commander Worden, supported three other Union vessels in destroying the blockade-runner rattlesnake, formerly the raider CSS Nashville, lying under the guns of Fort McAllister in the Ogeechee River, Georgia.  The Rattlesnake had been waiting some 8 months to run out of the river.

The Union ships had noticed the ship moving in the river the day before and determined that it had run aground.  They moved in and within 20 minutes the ship was afire.  The Montauk, meanwhile struck a torpedo that went off and caused damage sufficient to have to run aground to repair.


The Navy portion of the Yazoo Pass expedition reached the Coldwater River ans spent the next two days waiting for the Army transports to catch up with them.


MARCH 2ND

Rear Admiral Farragut wrote that he had received information that prices in Mobile were very high because of the blockade.  A barrel of flour was going for $100.  Farragut was desiring action and said he'd move against Galveston as soon as he he had sufficient troops.

CSS Alabama captured and burned the John A. Parks at sea.

Surgeon Ninian Pinkney informed Porter that after difficulty he had secured the Commerce Hotel in Memphis for use as a hospital.  Sick and injured sailors were a major concern.

Old B-Runner

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