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