This was the destroyer that assisted the cruiser USS Omaha in sinking the German blockade runner SS Rio Grande during World War II.
Like the Omaha, she had a Civil War connection as its name came from James Edward Jouett, a Union officer during the Civil War (and Mexican War). He also commanded the USS Montgomery which I have written extensively about.
He was at the Battle of Mobile Bay where his ship, the Metacomet, was lashed to Admiral Farragut's Hartford and he was part of the quote everyone knows Farragut supposedly said, "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!"
Actually the words were, "Damn the torpedoes. Four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead. Jouett, full speed."
Afterwards, Jouett took his ship, the Metacomet and chased after two Confederate gunboats escorting the CSS Tennessee and riddled the CSS Gaines and captured the CSS Selma.
--Old B-Runner
No comments:
Post a Comment