150 Years Ago Today-- November 9, 1863: We Need Maps and Charts

NOVEMBER 9TH:

Rear Admiral Porter wrote Secretary Welles suggesting that the U.S. Coast Survey make maps of the areas adjacent to the Mississippi River "where navigation is made up of innumerable lakes and bayous not known to any but the most experienced pilots." These were not on modern charts of the time.

Welles recommended to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase that a survey similar to the one made of the North Carolina coast be made saying it would greatly facilitate operations there and pledged naval assistance.

NOVEMBER 9TH:

Admiral Buchanan ordered Acting Midshipman Edward A. swain to Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, and to take command of the CSS Gunnison and to destroy the USS Colorado or any other blockader they could find. The Gunnison was a torpedo boat.

Maps and Torpedoes. --Old B-Runner