Attack On Confederate Saltworks at Masonboro Sound, NC

APRIL 21ST, 1864: Boat crews from the USS Howquah, Fort Jackson and Niphon, commanded by Lt. Joseph B. Breck, destroyed Confederate salt works at Masonboro Sound, North Carolina.

The sailors landed under cover of darkness at 9 PM without being detected. and rapidly demolished the works while taking some 160 prisoners.

Breck then returned to the ships which were standing by to provide gunfire if necessary.

Major General W.H.C. Whiting, CSA, noted that the incident demonstrated the necessity of maintaining a guard to protect "these points", and thenceforth there were no salt works constructed at Masonboro Inlet.

The Union Navy conducted a regular campaign against Southern salt works as the need for salt was critical to the Confederacy and getting in much less supply.

--Old B-Runner