In early 1864, the Violet was repairing at Norfolk Navy Yard and in April was assigned to the ironclad Roanoke and ordered to maintain a vigilant night and foul weather watch and to tow the warship to safety or run down any Confederate attack on the ship. It did this until July 20th.
It was then fitted with a torpedo device and reassigned to the Cape Fear River.
On the night of August 7th, it ran aground while proceeding to an inshore station close to the shoal off Western Bar. (Inshore Station would be the closest blockader to shore to keep watch for runners.)
Despite efforts by the crew and other vessels, the Violet could not be refloated and tides forced the ship even further aground. The magazine was fired to prevent capture and the ship blew up the morning of August 8, 1864.
--Old B-Runner
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