USS Nansemond-- Part 3

On May 6, 1864, the Nansemond on USS Britannia were attacked by the ironclad CSS Raleigh while a blockade-runner escaped. The next morning, the Nansemond, Howquah and Kansas engaged the Raleigh. While withdrawing over the Cape Fear River Bar, the ironclad ran aground, suffering major damage and was destroyed by its commander, Flag Officer William F. Lynch.

On June 20th, the Nansemond and Calypso embarked troops for an expedition to New River, NC, to cut the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad but were forced to withdraw.

The Nansemond was involved with both attacks on Fort Fisher and then supported Union troops on their final drive on Wilmington.

It was decommissioned at Washington Navy Yard and transferred to the U.S. Treasury Department on 22 August 1865 and served in the Revenue Cutter Service as the W.H. Crawford along the Atlantic Coast from Baltimore to key West. She was sold at Baltimore 24 April 1897.

Quite a Career. --Old B-R'er