USS Berberry-- Part 3: Aiding the Stranded USS Aster

Shortly after midnight on October 8, 1864, while the Berberry was on station northeast of the Mound Light (at Fort Fisher's Mound Battery), observers reported an approaching boat.  The Berberry hailed the stranger and ordered her alongside.  She proved to be from the USS Aster, another tug on blockade duty, that had run aground on the Carolina Shoals while chasing a blockade runner attempting to enter New Inlet.

Assistance was requested.

The Berberry quickly steamed to the Aster, near New Inlet.  She took a hawser from the Aster and attempted to pull her free.  However, the hawser parted and the Aster was still stuck.  Several more attempts were made before the falling tide halted the effort.

The Berberry then attempted to go alongside the Aster to take off her crew and it took some twenty minutes of difficult maneuvering  to work into a suitable position.  She took all on board except the captain, executive officer and pilot who remained on board  to destroy the vessel if it looked like it was going to fall into Confederate hands.

During this operation, the Berberry thumped "...heavily on the bottom."

And Then?  --Old B-Runner

Future USS Delaware (SSN-791) Accepted By U.S. Navy

From the Oct. 29, 2019, Maritime Executive "Future USS Delaware delivered to the U.S. Navy."

It is the Navy's 18th Virginia-Class nuclear submarine.  Construction on it began in 2013 and it is scheduled for commissioning April 4, 2020.  This is the last of what is called the Block II Virginia-Class submarines.  It is the last of this group.  There will be a Block III group next.

Virginia Class submarines are built to operate in deep waters doing anti-submarine, anti-surface, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, irregular warfare and  mine warfare missions.

It is the seventh ship to bear the name of "The First State."  The first one served in the American revolution, the second one in the Quasi War with France.  The third was burned to prevent her falling into the hands of Confederates and the fourth one served blockade duties during the Civil War.

Little is known about the fifth Delaware, other than it was a screw steamer which had another name before being changed to Delaware on May 15, 1869.  The sixth Delaware was a battleship commissioned April 4, 1910, that served in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

During World War I, she provided convoy protection and participated in Allied naval exercises before being decommissioned in 1923.

Welcome Aboard USS Delaware.  --Old B-Runner

October 29, 1864: CSS Olustee (Former CSS Tallahassee) Goes on a Commerce Destroying Cruise From Wilmington

OCTOBER 29TH, 1864:  The CSS Olustee, formerly the CSS Tallahassee, Lieutenant William H.Ward, eluded the blockaders off Wilmington, North Carolina.

He returned to Wilmington on November 7 after a brief, but successful cruise, having destroyed the bark Empress Theresa,schooners  A.J. Bird, E.F. Lewis, and Vapor, ship  Arcole and brig T.D. Wagner, during the first three days of November.

The day before the Olustee slipped out of Wilmington, October 28, the CSS Chickamauga, Lt.  John Wilkinson, also eluded blockaders off Wilmington and set out to sea as  a commerce raider

That same day, the USS Calypso and USS Eolus captured British blockade running steamer Lady Sterling at sea off Wilmington with a cargo of cotton and tobacco.

--Old B-Runner

USS Berberry-- Part 2: Chasing That Runner

The USS Berberry and USS Aster, being tugs and shallower draft, often were placed the closest to shore in order to detect and capture blockade runner.

At 21:45 the following , a lookout on the Berberry sighted a long, low, two-stacked steamer standing out from New Inlet.  Giving chase, Acting Ensign Milton Griffith reported that the blockade runner " "...stood for us withing 400 yards; then to the southward."  The Berberry attempted to get in between her and the bar.

While this was going on, the Berberry opened fore on her and sent up "...rockets in the direction in which she was steering."

Despite the fact that fellow blockaders Niphon and Daylight joined in the chase, the runner's superior speed enabled her  to steam out of sight of her pursuers, and apparently made her way out to open sea.

You Wins Some and Loses Some.  --Old B-Runner

Just In Time for Halloween: Cape Fear Unearthed, the Ghost of Gen. Whiting

From the Oct. 24, 2019, Wilmington(N.C.) Star-News  "Cape Fear Unearthed:  The Ghost of the general" by Hunter Ingram.

Major William H.C. Whiting is the latest subject , who was wounded at Fort Fisher and later died in a Union prison, of the latest episode of the Cape Fear Unearthed podcast.

His legacy is forever tied up with the rise and fall of North Carolina's Fort Fisher, famed protector of the port of Wilmington and a haven for blockade runners during the war.  Whiting was a headstrong soldier who seemed to have as many enemies as friends during the war.  One notable enemy was Jefferson Davis.

He graduated first in his West Point class and became an engineer of note, both in the Charleston defenses and later those of Wilmington, including Fort Fisher.

Wounded and captured at Fort Fisher when it fell, he recovered from the wound but died of another disease while a prisoner in New York.  This was hundreds of miles from Fort Fisher but even death did not stop him from returning to Fort Fisher to be its eternal watcher.

It has been reported that the ghost of Gen. Whiting still walks the grounds of Fort Fisher.  This week's Cape Fear Uncovered's podcast is about the apparition.

Like, Boo!!!  --OldB-ScaredOrGoHome

USS Berberry-- Part 1: Part of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron Off Fort Fisher

From Wikipedia.

The USS Berberry, like the USS Aster, was a steam powered tugboat acquired by the Union Navy which purchased the ship 13 August 1864,  Its original name was Columbia, but was renamed USS Berberry and placed in commission at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 12 September 1864.

(99 feet long, 20 foot beam, 35 crew members, Armament:  two 12-pdr. smoothbore and two 24-pdr. smoothbore guns.)

Departed Philadelphia September 29 and reached Beaufort, N.C., on October for duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and took up station off New Inlet, North Carolina.

At 3:00 in the morning October 4, while cruising off the Mound Light (in Fort Fisher), the Berberry discovered a steamer making for New Inlet and gave chase, firing two shots but it escaped into New Inlet.

--Old B-Runner

The USS Niphon's Involvement in the Loss of the USS Aster

From Wikipedia.

The USS Niphon was a ship to be feared by blockade runners.  Click on the label USS Niphon below to see how much she was involved in captures.  It is an impressive list.

The USS Aster ran aground and was lost chasing the blockade runner Annie on October 7.  The Niphon came to her aid.  The Niphon then assisted in the capture of the Annie when she ran out od Wilmington on October 31.

On October 1, 1864, the Niphon ran the blockade runner Condor aground, now a N.C. State Dive Spot, and this shipwreck was where famed Congederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow drowned.

Then on October 7 the Niphon rescued the crew of the USS Aster under the guns of Fort Fisher.  It was able to tow the USS Berberry after it had become disabled trying to tow the Aster off the shoals.

On the last day of October, the Niphon and USS Wilderness captured the Annie on her way out.

A Busy October.  --Old B-Runner

October 22, 1864: In Case the Albemarle Comes Out Again-- Part 2

"Even if half your vessels are sunk you must pursue this course."

Porter added:  "I have directed Lieutenant Cushing to go down in a steam launch, and if possible destroy this ram with torpedoes.  I have no great confidence in his success, but you will afford him all the assistance in your power, and keep boats ready to pick him up in case of failure."

Of course,we all know how that action ended.

That Cushing Guy.  --Old B-Rer

October 22, 1864-- Part 1: In Case the Albemarle Attacks Again

OCTOBER 22TH, 1864:  Rear Admiral Porter, in a confidential letter to Commander Macomb, commanding naval forces in Albemarle Sound, set down instructions for engaging the CSS Albemarle, should the ram again come out to challenge Union control of the Sounds:

"There is but one chance for wooden vessels in attacking an ironclad.  You will, in case she comes out, make a dash at her with every vessel you have, and 'lay her on board', using cannister to fire into her ports, while the ram strikes her steering apparatus and disables her.

"You will see that every vessel is provided with proper grapnels, to hold on by while going alongside, and a boarding party will be appointed to lash the vessels together."

That Problem beginning With the Letter "A".  --Old B-Runner

Picture of the Capture of the Blockade Runner Annie, Oct. 31, 1864

From the New York City Library Digital Collections.

A drawing of the capture of this ship under fire from Union vessels, whose names are given:  How-quah, the Alabama's launch, Wilderness, Niphon, Kansas and Alabama.

Drawn in 1864 by Charles F. Ellmore.

--Old B-Runner

USS Aster, Steam Tugboat Lost Off New Inlet

Earlier this month, I wrote about the loss of the USS Aster to the Union blockading squadron off Wilmington, North Carolina on October 8, 1864.

From Wikipedia.

Originally the tugboat Alice and acquired by the U.S. Navy 25 July 1864. at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and placed in commission 12 August 1864.    It was ordered to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Wilmington.  She joined that squadron but was soon in Norfolk, Virginia for repairs.

She arrived back off New Inlet on  7 October and almost immediately spied a blockade runner making for the entrance and gave chase to cut it off.  The blockade runner turned out to be the Anne, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Just as the Aster was about to catch up with the Annie, it grounded on the Carolina Shoals.  Every effort was made to refloat the ship, but failed.  The USS Berberry came to her aide but was also unsuccessful.

The Aster's crew was transferred to the Berberry and the tug put to the torch causing it to blow up.

The Annie managed to slip into the Cape Fear River and make her way to Wilmington, but was captured on her way out on October 31.

--Old B-Runner

N.C. Timeline, October 1864-- Part 2: Sinking of CSS Albemarle By Cushing

OCTOBER 22--  Capture of Confederate steamer Hope.

OCTOBER 27--  Destruction of CSS Albemarle at Plymouth by William B. Cushing.

OCTOBER 28--   Capture of British steamer Lady Sterling

OCTOBER 29-31--  Union re-occupation of Plymouth.  Naval operations as well.

OCTOBER 31--  Capture of British steamer Annie.

--Old B-Runner

October 18, 1864, Navy Keeping Watch on Hood's Advance-- Part 2

As Hood approached Tuscumbia and his rendezvous with general Forrest's cavalry,  Union commanders became increasingly concerned with measures to keep the Confederates from crossing the Tennessee River in Alabama.

They relied heavily on Union gunboats of the Mississippi Squadron to accomplish this as well as to provide intelligence as to Confederate movements.

During the climatic campaign between the forces of Thomas and Hood, the close cooperation and support of naval forces played a key role.

--Old B-Runner

October 18, 1864: Navy Keeping A Watch on Hood's Advance on Tennessee-- Part 1

OCTOBER 18TH, 1864:  Major General Thomas, commanding Union forces in Tennessee, wired Major General Sherman concerning his plans for opposing General Hood's thrust into Tennessee:  "I have arranged with Lieutenant [Commander] Greer, commanding the gunboat fleet on the lower Tennessee, to patrol the river as far up as Eastport [Mississippi].

"Lieutenant Glassford, commanding between Bridgeport and Decatur [Alabama] patrols that portion of the river daily, and cooperates with me cordially."

--Old B-R'er

The Blockade Runner Lelia That Didn't-- Part 4: Arthur Sinclair's Body Identified By His Watch

The two boats from the Lelia still afloat made for the lightship Prince, some six miles away, but one was sunk when it struck the ship.    Only twelve survivors got aboard the lightship.  They were able to signal the tug boat Blazer, who, the next morning was able to alert the life boat crews and while going to the scene of the sinking towing Life Boat #1 was swamped and only four of the 11 on board survived.

It was another day before the Lelia's survivors could be gotten from the lightship.

On May 31st, the body of Commander Arthur Sinclair, CSN, was found by a fishing boat some ten miles out to sea.  "His skeletal remains were still clothed, even to his cravat held in place by a gold and agate pin.  His overcoat  was still buttoned up and he had retained his pocket watch in his breast pocket," reported the Fleetwood Chronicle.

Ironically, the watch had stopped at 4:10--  approximately the time that the Lelia sank and helped lead to the identification of the body.  Liverpool police determined it was the one he had bought in Liverpool for the considerable sum of 40 pounds.

The watch chain and ornaments were gifts to Sinclair from Mr. Robson, who also died that night.

--Old B-Runner

NC Timeline, October 1864-- Part 1: Loss of the Blockade Runner Condor and Rose O'Neal Greenhow

From the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial Timeline site.

OCTOBER 1--  Blockade runner Condor, inbound from Nova Scotia, ran aground off Fort Fisher with two prominent people aboard, James B. Holcumb (Confederate Commissioner to Great Britain, and Rose O'Neal Greenhow (Confederate spy).  She drowned in the surf when her boat overturned.

She is buried in Wilmington, with her death being listed as September 30.

The hulk of the Condor was later used as a target for Confederate gunners in the fort.

OCTOBER 8--  Union tug Aster ran aground and was lost off Carolina Shoals (Cape Fear River) while chasing a blockade runner.  The tug USS Berberry tried unsuccessfully to pull the Aster off.

(The Civil War Naval Chronology lists this as happening September 7, 1864.)

OCTOBER 10--  Capture of British steamer Bat.

OCTOBER  11-13--  Scout from Camp Palmer to Gum Swamp.

--Old B-R'er

Blockade Runner Lelia That Didn't-- Part 3: Huge Storm

Continued from earlier this month.

The Lelia was already low in the water because of her heavy cargo and the storm was getting worse.  This account of her last hours was put together from the few survivors of the sinking.

When the Lelia arrived off the Grand Orme, she had been running into the teeth of the storm for four hours.  Captain Skinner, fearing the weather would get worse and the more exposed run to decided to slow down and hoist the anchors inboard.

As the crew struggled to carry out the orders, a huge wave crashed into the ship, causing the pea of one of the anchors to crash through the deck.  Another huge wave crashed into the ship, washing away the iron of a scuttle and the ship began to fill with water.  With more waves crashing over the Lelia, the ship became unable to answer her helm.

By now the ship was helpless and drifting in the battering waves.  Her four boats were ordered to be lowered as confusion and panic set in.  Commander Sinclair,CSN, and the pilot were lowered in the first boat which was swamped as soon as hit the water.

The second and third boats were lowered and got away with about 30 men.  It is not known if the fourth boat got off before Captain Skinner was seen to go down with his ship.

--Old B-Runner

Here's a Book I Could Get Into: "Life in Jefferson Davis' Navy"

From Amazon.

"Life in Jefferson Davis' Navy" by Barbara B. Tomblin.  Hardcover $29.50.

Far too many people only consider the Civil War's land actions as the only significant aspect of the war, but I am definitely more the anything Navy kind of guy.

This full-length study acknowledges the service and lives of the sailors and officers of the Confederate Navy.  Barbara Tomblin addresses every aspect f their lives, from combat risks to everyday life.  She draws upon the diaries, letters, newspaper accounts and published works to put together their  story.

She relates the stories of those serving on gunboats, ironclads and ships on the rivers and coast and Mobile Bay as well as on the high seas on the Confederate raiders.

She even covers their experiences on prison camps.

Something I would be interested in reading.

-Old B-Runner

Rod Gragg Speaks About Fort Fisher at Pamplin History Park This Weekend

Rod Gragg, author of more than twenty books, including the first in depth look of the Battles of Fort Fisher, 1991's "Confederate Goliath" will be among the seven speakers at the 23rd annual presentation at the Pamplin History Park in Petersburg, Virginia, October 18-20.

He will speak on new perspectives of Fort Fisher.

The other presentations will be on the "Small Battles, Big Results" of the seminar theme.

Mr. Gragg  is of particular interest to me because until he came out with his book, I was gathering research to do my own book on Fort Fisher.  Why it took so long for a full book on this fort is beyond me.  It was way too important.  Once I saw Mr. Gragg's book, I knew I didn't have to write mine.  And besides that, he is a much better writer than I.

--Old B-Fisher

World War II at Fort Fisher This Past Weekend

On October 12, Saturday, Fort Fisher hosted  "World War II Experience Fort Fisher" on the grounds of the fort located in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

During World War II, the U.S. Army once again occupied the old fort as a part of Camp Davis, located a little ways to the north of it.  This was the main training base  for anti-aircraft gunners.  Several of the fort's mounds were torn down to construct an airstrip used by planes towing targets for the gunners.

Most of the planes were piloted by members of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).

All sorts of re-enactors were there with exhibits and visitors were able to learn soldier experiences.

--Old B-Runner

Bridge Jumping Confederates Capture Vessel

 From the HMdb site Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Military Supply Route.

I have been writing about the capture of U.S. Representative George Washington Julian near Coinjack, N.C.,  and while researching found this item of interest.

On May 16, 1863,  thirty Confederate partisans  from Pasquotank County jumped from the nearby Coinjack Bridge onto the side-wheel steamer Arrow and captured the crew then steered the vessel alongside the steamer Emily as if nothing had happened.

The partisans took both ships, flying the Stars and Stripes, up Albemarle Sound, Chowan River, and the Blackwater River to Franklin, Virginia,

En route,  they picked up five African Americans who hailed  them not knowing the crews were Confederates.  Now, that was embarrassing.

The exploit made headlines in the North Carolina newspapers.

--Old B-Runner

The Blockade Runner Lelia That Didn't-- Part 2: The Storm

On January 5, 1865, the Lelia sailed from the Mersey River with a 700 ton cargo of coal, iron and general merchandise and according to the Illustrated London News of 28 January, "would have taken a much more valuable  cargo in Bermuda to attempt to run  the blockade into Wilmington."

Her crew totalled  49, 20 of whom were engine room and several passengers which included Thomas Miller, a son of the builder and J.B. Cropper, a Liverpool merchant.    Also listed as passengers were a Mr. Robeson and Arthur Sinclair--  a commander in the Confederate Navy and a native of Virginia.

For this part of the journey, the Lelia was commanded by Captain Thomas Buxton Skinner.  Arthur Sinclair would take over for the run from Bermuda to Wilmington when the protection of the British flag would not have made her immune from Union blockading ships.

Soon after leaving the  Mersey, the winter weather turned nasty and as she headed for the Welsh coast the seas got worse.  Already running low because of her heavy cargo, the Lelia was in great danger.

--Old B-R'er

The Blockade Runner Lelia That Wasn't-- Part 1: Brand New and At Top of Her Craft

Last month I wrote about this ship whose wreck has now become a protected site and shows how Liverpool and England, although officially neutral, was very involved on the Confederate side during the Civil War.  This is a very complete account of her last voyage.

From the csa-dixie.com/liverpool-dixie/Lelia.htm.  When Liverpool was Dixie a tribute to Commander Dunwoody Bulloch Confederate States Navy.

THE SAD VOYAGE OF  THE LELIA THE BLOCKADE RUNNER THAT DIDN'T.

The steel paddle wheel steamer Lelia was built in the Toxteth Dock yard of William C. Miller & Co..  She was 640 gross tons and 252 feet long by 30 foot beam and drew 12'6" of water.  Her engines were by Fawcett Preston & Co., and were rated at  a nominal 300 h.p. and following her successful completion, plans were made  before Christmas for her maiden voyage.

With her owners no doubt looking forward to the large profits ahead, remembering the famous blockade runner Banshee that was built in Liverpool and, before its capture on 21 November 1863, had realized a 700% profit for her owners, Mr. William Gladstone and the Duke of Winchester among them.

--Old B-Runner