Abner Read, USN-- Part 4: Takes Over 30 Prizes, Farragut's Impressed

In the next months, the USS New London took over 30 prizes.  Her success was so remarkable that Flag Officer David Farragut felt he had to have the ship in his new command when he took command of the eastern section of the Gulf Squadron, now called the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.

He wrote:  "...Lieutenant Read's  having made her such a terror to the Confederates in this quarter that justice to the service required me to keep her ...,"    He continued, she was "...absolutely necessary  to command the inland passage...."

For his part, Read was ready for any undertaking.    When he found "...two rebel steamers...at Pass Christian..." on  25 March 1862, the New London headed straight for the CSS Pamlico and CSS Oregon and drove them off to the protection of Confederate shore batteries. after a two-hour engagement.

--Old B-Runner