Nov. 20, 1863-- Part 2: Send Those Light-Draft Monitors

Farragut noted that there were some  turreted ironclads building at St. Louis and suggested:  "They draw about 6 feet of water and will be the very vessels to operate in the shallow waters of Texas, if the Department would order them down there."

Three days later, the Secretary asked Rear Admiral Porter to "consider the subject and inform the Department as early as practicable to what extent Farragut's wishes can be complied with."

Porter replied on the 27th that he could supply Farragut with eight light drafts "in the course of a month" and that "six weeks from to-day I could have ten vessels sent to Admiral Farragut, if I can get the officers and men...."

--Old B-Runner