USS Two Sisters-- Part 1: Former Confederate Blockade Runner

From Wikipedia.

The USS Two Sisters was a small 54 ton schooner captured from the Confederates and acquired by the Union Navy from the prize court.  It served both as a blockading gun boat and as a ship tender when needed.

Not much is known about it other than it used sails for propulsion and had one 12-pdr. gun.

It was built in 1856 in Baltimore, Maryland, and captured 21 September 1862 by the USS Albatross off the mouth of the Rio Grande while attempting to pass through the Union blockade into Brownsville, Texas, with a cargo of 87 bales of gunny cloth.  (Gunny cloth was used for the baling of cotton.)

It was later purchased by the U.S. Navy at the Key West Prize Court and commissioned January 30, 1863, at Key West, Acting Master William A. Arthur in command.

--Old B-Runner

March 27, 1863: USS Hartford Engages and Passes Confederate Batteries At Warrenton, Miss.

MARCH 27TH, 1863:  "The USS Hartford engaged and passed below the Confederate batteries being erected at Warrenton,, Mississippi.  Two days later, the USS Albatross joined Rear Admiral Farragut, having waited above the batteries to obtain further coal and provisions which had been floated down on barges from the fleet above Vicksburg.

The Noose Closing On Vicksburg.  --Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, January 16, 1862: Eads Gunboats Commissioned

JANUARY 16TH, 1862:  Flag officer Foote reported:  "The seven gunboats built by contract were put into commission today."

The Eads gunboats augmented Foote's wooden ships and would turn the tide in the Union's effort to split the Confederacy.

**  The USS Albatross, Comamnder Prentiss, destroyed the British blockade runner York near Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, where the York had run aground.

--Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago, September 14, 1861: Daring Attack at Pensacola

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 1861:  In the early morning darkness, sailors and Marines from the USS Colorado, towing into Pensacola Harbor, boarded and burned Confederate privateering schooner Judah and spiked guns at Pensacola Navy Yard.

The group of US sailors and Marines was led by Lt. John Henry Russell.

**  The USS Albatross, Commander Prentis, captured schooner Alabama near mouth of the Potomac River.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: U.S. Marines at First Bull Run

JULY 21ST, 1861:  The USS Albatross, Commander Prentiss, engaged the CSS Beauort, Lt. R.C. Duvall, in Oregon Inlet, North Carolina.  The Albatross, with heavier guns, forced the Beaufort to withdraw.

**  Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis captured American bark Alvarado in the Atlantic Ocean.

**  U.S. Marines commanded by Major Reynolds took part in the First Battle of Bull Run:  9 marines killed, 19 wounded and 16 missing in action.  Two naval howitzers were lost in the battle.

The Confederates also had a naval battery at the battle.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: Cuba Releases CSS Sumter's Prizes

JULY 19TH, 1861:  The Captain-General of Cuba released all the vessels brought into Cuban ports by the CSS Sumter.  See the July 6th entry for names.  This set the precedent for no nation allowing Confederate raiders to bring in captures.

JULY 20TH, 1861:  The USS Mount Vernon, Commander Oliver O. Glisson, seized the sloop Wild Pigeon on the Rappahannock River in Virginia.

**  The USS Albatross, Commander George A. Prentiss, recaptured the Enchantress off Hatteras Inlet.  The Enchantress had been captured by the privateer Jefferson Davis on July 6.

--Old B-Runner