John Barrien Montgomery USN-- Part 25: U.S. Pacific Squadron at Onset of the Civil War

Continued from March 1, 2023.

At the onset of the Civil War, the U.S. Pacific Fleet/Squadron consisted of the screw sloops USS Lancaster, USS Narragansett and USS Wyoming; the sidewheeler sloop Saranac and sailing sloops USS St. Mary's and USS Cyane.  None of them were in San Francisco, but spread all over the Pacific.  It was commanded by John Barrien Montgomery (the destroyer USS Montgomery (DD-121) that fought in World War I and World War II was named after him.

Montgomery did not know the war had started until May 1861, while on board the Lancaster in Hawaii.

Acting Rear Admiral Charles H. Bell took command of the Pacific Fleet on January 2, 1862.

--Old B-Runner

Raising More State Funds for the Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Same source as previous post.

Ted Davis' move to help the aquarium comes right alongside his efforts to secure funds for the adjacent Fort Fisher State Historic Site.  The Civil War fort is currently in the midst of a $22 million renovation project, which includes a new visitors center that is funded by the state.

Phase 2 of the project will include reconstruction of part of the fort and cost roughly $3.57 million, with the Friends of Fort Fisher (to which I belong)  contributing $1 million toward the project.  (The reconstructed area will be that part that was leveled for construction of an airstrip during World War II.) 

Davis has submitted a bill  that would have the state provide $2.9 million to help finance the next stage of the fort's renovations.  That bill, HB 297, is currently in the House  Appropiations Committee where it has been since March 8.

Davis notes that Fort Fisher is the most popular historic site in the state.

Old B-Runner

Raising State Funds for the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

From the April 28, 2023, Wilmington (NC) Star News "From Venus' Flytraps to wetlands, what 4 proposed bills could mean  for the Wilmington area" by Gareth McGrath.

Yesterday I wrote about the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher's new otter pups.

This aquarium is a huge attraction at Fort Fisher along with the Civil War site and public beach.

Right now, there is a push on to provide money for the improvements of both the aquarium and historic site in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Even though these two are no longer in Representative Ted Davis' district, the Wilmington Republican has not forgotten about the Fort Fisher area.  He has submitted a bill for the state to give the aquarium $10.5 million or its  renovation project.  This proposal comes after Davis had previously helped secure $20 million for the project.

The last time the aquarium was renovated was 2002

The legislation, House Bill 710, is currently in the House Appropriations Committee.

--Old B-Runner

Those New Fort Fisher Otter Pups

A huge attraction of the former Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina is the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  When I do Fort Fisher searches I often come across this place.

And, the big news out of there is that they now have three new otter pups who are now out for viewing.  Their names are Gemma, Kai and Rey.

I don't know about you, but watching a group of otters doing their otter thing is even better than watching squirrels.  And they sure have fun.  It ought to be illegal to have that much fun.

But, if you're planning on going out to see the new otters, you will need to purchase advance tickets on line.

RoadOtter

This Is the 5,025th Post of This Blog

Little did I believe that when I posted the very first item in this blog back on January 1, 2012, that it would still be an ongoing concern.  It is.

This grew our of my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog which grew out of my Cooter's History Thing blog.  I was writing so much about Fort Fisher and the Civil War Navy (both sides) that I decided to spin this one off.  

So, I broke the 5,000 mark last month.

Way Too Many Posts, But Sure Enjoy Them.  --Old B-Runner

CSMC's Company E and USMC Medals of Honor at Fort Fisher

Company E of the Confederate States Marine Corps (CSMC) was formed in Savannah and served at that station.  After Savannah was evacuated in 1864, they moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and after that place was evacuated, moved to the Wilmington Station and took part in the defense of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.

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MARINE RECIPIENTS of the MEDAL of HONOR at SECOND BATTLE of FORT FISHER

Rank / ship 

RICHARD BINDER--  sergeant, USS Ticonderoga

ISAAC N. FRY--  orderly sergeant USS Ticonderoga

JOHN RANAHAN--  corporal USS Minnesota

JOHN SHIVERS--  private, USS Minnesota

HENRY A. THOMPSON--  private USS Minnesota

The first two received theirs for operating cannons on the ship.  The last three received theirs while participating in the Naval Column attack on the fort.

--Old B. Runner

CSMC Commandant Lloyd James Beall and Israel Greene

He was a career U.S. military officer until the Civil War.  He was born in Rhode Island and graduated from the USMA.

His father, Lloyd Beall, was in the American Revolution and wounded at Germantown.  After the war was a mayor of Georgetown and during the War of 1812, was stationed with the artillery at Fort McHenry.

His two brothers were also in the U.S. Army, but remained loyal to the Union.

Confederate privateer and spy John Yates Beall, was executed after capture near the end of the Civil War.

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Another Confederate officer, Israel Greene, had been a U.S. Marine before the war and was also born in a northern state, New York.  He commanded the company of Marines under the overall command of Robert E. Lee, that captured John Brown at Harpers Ferry before the war started.

--Old B-Runner