Monday, June 23, 2014

CSS Nansemond

From wrecksite.com site

Saturday, I wrote about a ship named the CSS Nansemond taking part in the somewhat attack on Union ships in the James River.  I had never heard of a CSS Nansemond, but was aware of a USS Nansemond.  Had this one been captured by the Confederates?  Well, I had to do some more research.

The CSS Nansemond was a Maury-class 166 ton, wooden gunboat built by the Confederacy mounting two 8-inch pivot guns.

It was a part of the Confederate James River Fleet, consisting of the CSS Beaufort, Hampton, Roanoke, Shrapnel, Torpedo and ironclads Richmond, Fredericksburg and Virginia II which were deliberately sunk in the James River near Drewry's Bluff or Chaffin's Bluff to prevent capture and block the river.

Most were set on fire and blew up when the fire reached the magazines.

The Beaufort was later raised and pressed into Union service as the USS Beaufort.  The Torpedo was raised in 1865.

Then, There Was the Question of the Nansemond's Flag Which Led to a Medal of Honor.    --Old B-R'er

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