Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Fort Fisher Monitors Arrive at Charleston: Fear of Confederate Torpedoes

JANUARY 19TH, 1865:  The monitors USS Canonicus, Mahopac and Monadnock, having arrived at Charleston, receive orders from Rear Admiral Dahlgren showing his concern for the threat of Confederate torpedoes: "You will lose no time in securing the Canonicus against the possible action of the rebel torpedo boats; temporary fenders must be used until permanent fixtures can be provided.

"Boat patrol must be used with vigilance, and such other measures resorted to as are in common practice here."

These three monitors had participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher.

It is surprising that these monitors would be sent to Charleston when the threat of Confederate naval attack where they were formerly stationed on the James River in Virginia was such a threat.

--Old B-Runner

No comments:

Post a Comment