Abstract of USS Emma Log During First Battle of Fort Fisher, Thomas C. Dunn, Commander

From the Official Records  of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion "North Atlantic Blockading Squadron."

Abstract of Log of USS Emma, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Thomas C. Dunn, U.S. Navy.  His ship was off the Western Bar, Old Inlet to the Cape Fear River.

DECEMBER 24, 1864

At 12:30 a.m., a fire seen burning  toward the Eastern Bar [New Inlet].  At 1:30 a.m. an explosion occurred.  (This would have been the explosion of the powderboat USS Louisiana.)

At 2:50, moon rising, steamed in toward night station.  Bald  Head light not lit.  At 8 p.m. got underway and stood in toward  the bar on blockade duty.  At midnight, Fort Fisher bearing N.W. by N.

--Old B-Runner