Revenue Cutter Caleb Cushing-- Part 2

It was Charles Read's plan to capture the cutter and get it away from the Union shore batteries before daylight and then set fire to shipping in the Portland, Maine, harbor.  As it was dawn before he cleared the Union guns, he found it impossible to carry out his plan and instead he put out to sea.

Lt. "Savez" Read intended to send his prisoners back on the Archer after transferring his supplies to the Caleb Cushing.  However, when twenty miles out to sea, he was overtaken by two steamers.  he ran out of ammunition and was unable to put up further resistance.

Ordering his men and prisoners onto small boats, he set fire to the Caleb Cushing after setting a powder train to the ship's magazine.  Read, his men and prisoners were captured by the steamer Forest City.  The Archer was captured later and the Cushing soon exploded and was destroyed.

So Read would have had his fourth raider had he had enough time.

Essentially, He Was the Confederate Navy's Answer to William Barker Cushing.  --Old B-Runner