George B. Livingston, the Emma's First Commander

George B. Livingston was the first commander of the USS Emma when the former blockade runner entered U.S. service.

From "The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy & Marine Corps, 1878,"

LIEUTENANT GEORGE B. LIVINGSTON

Born in New York.  Entered Navy as  volunteer officer during the Rebellion; transferred to regular service, 1868; Narragansett (third rate),  N.A. Station 1869.

Commissioned as  Lieutenant, March 21, 1870; Pacific Fleet, 1869-1872; USS Colorado, N.A. Station, 1874; USS Plymouth (second rate), N.A. Station, 1875; USS Alert (third rate), N.A. Station, 1875-7; R.S. USS Franklin, 1878.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the USS Emma

Last month, I was writing about this ship that was at both battles of Fort Fisher.

From Civil War Navies 1855-1883

The Emma was launched just four days before her sister ship, the Gertrude, both named for the daughters of owner Thomas S. Begbie.    Both built by  Barclay Curle of Glasgow, Scotland.

Both had relatively short careers before being captured.  The Emma was captured 24 July 1863 by the USAT  Arago and the Gertrude by  the USS Vanderbilt  off Eleutrea on 16 April 1863.

Both were condemned in prize court and bought by the U.S. Navy and used in the blockade.

The Emma was involved in both battles of Fort Fisher and on  11 Feb 1865 bombarded Masonboro Inlet.  She captured the blockade runner Ella 3 December  1864.  Became the merchant ship Gaspe  in 1866 and wrecked  at Longlois, Canada on  14 Jan. 1872.

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Rear Admiral S.P. Lee reported that the USS Emma had arrived at Newport News from New York on the afternoon of  November 7, 1863.

--Old B-Runner

Another USS Emma

This past month I have been writing a lot about a former blockade runner named the Emma which was captured by the U.S. Navy and turned into a blockader and took part in both battles of Fort Fisher.

I mentioned that there was one other USS Emma in the U.S. Navy, so, in case you're wondering, here is her short history.

From Wikipedia.

USS EMMA  (SP-1223)   The second USS Emma was a patrol vessel in service from 1917 to 1918.

It was a private motorboat of the same name.  The Navy acquired her in 1917 as a section patrol boat during World War I.  She was assigned to the 5th Naval District and served on patrol duties until sometime in 1918.

The 5th Naval District was headquartered at Norfolk Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia.  It covered from Maryland, Virginia and to Diamond Shoals Lightship in North Carolina.

I Am Unable to Find Anything Else About Her.  --Old B-R'er

USS Emma-- Part 4: Looking for Jefferson Davis and Decommissioning

On 26 April 1865, the Emma sailed from Fort Caswell, North Carolina,  with an urgent message from General  William Tecumseh Sherman to Rear Admiral  John A. Dahlgren, commanding the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which warned  the admiral that Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, not yet located, might try to make an escape by way of Florida to Cuba.

The Emma went as far as Key West on this cruise then returned to patrol the Carolina coast until 24 August, when she arrived  at Boston, Massachusetts.

  The Emma was decommissioned in Boston 30 August 1865 and sold 1 November 1865.

She was placed back in service as a  merchant steamer and operated as the SS Gaspe from 1866 until her sinking  near Miquelon Island  on 14 June 1872.  The island is near the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

--Old B-Runner

USS Emma-- Part 2: General Characteristics

SOME MORE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

DISPLACEMENT:  350 tons

LENGTH:  156 feet

BEAM:  21 feet

DRAUGHT:   9 feet 4 inches

PROPULSION:  Greenock Foundry Co. steam engine, screw propelled

SPEED:  12 knots

COMPLEMENT:  68

ARMAMENT:  

Six 24-pdr. howitzers

two 12-pdr. rifles

--Old B. Runner

USS Emma (1863)

From Wikipedia.

Since I have been writing a lot about this ship while under the command of Thomas C. Dunn, I figured I might as well take a look at the ship's history.

USS EMMA (1863)

The first USS Emma in the Navy was a blockade running steamer captured by the Navy.

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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 

LAUNCHED:   24 November 1862

CAPTURED:  24 July 1863

ACQUIRED:  30 September 18634 

COMMISSIONED:   4 November 1863

DECOMMISSIONED:  30 August 1865

STRICKEN:  Sometime in 1865

FATE:  Sold 1 November 1865

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And, there was one other USS Emma in U.S. Navy service.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn & USS Emma at First Battle Fort Fisher-- Part 5: Getting the Troops Off the Beach and a New Commander

DECEMBER 27, 1864

At anchor and occasionally shelling the shore between midnight and 4 a.m, in the rear of Federal forces encamped on the beach.

At 6:45 a.m. sent first cutter ashore under the charge of  Acting Ensign Beetle, to reembark troops from the shore.

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DECEMBER 28, 1864

At 6:45 a.m. saw a steamer  under the beach coming out,  and the Moccasin fired a gun.  The Emma went to quarters and stood in toward the steamer.  Opened fire from our starboard battery and 20-pounder pivot gun.  The steamer turned around and went back in again.

This must have been a blockade runner trying to leave.  I am not sure if the Emma was back on station off Old Inlet or still north of Fort Fisher.

Thomas Dunn observed five steamers and a schooner lying inside the river.

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant  James M. Williams came aboard and  assumed command of the USS Emma.

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DECEMBER 29, 1864

At 11:30 a.m.  firing guns from Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn & USS Emma First Battle Fort Fisher-- Part 4: Loss of Ship's Cutter

DECEMBER 26, 1864

At 4 p.m. the Emma was drifting with the fleet.

Acting Master's Mate Morris returned with the boat crew of the second cutter from the USS Wabash and reported the loss of that cutter while in his charge.  He reported that while returning from the USS Santiago de Cuba to the Emma after assisting in landing the troops on the night of the 25th with stormy conditions that he was run into by a launch.

He was able to get to the Wabash and stayed on board for the night.  In the morning, the cutter was found to be swamped and efforts were made to lift her part way out of the water in order to bail her out at which time she broke in half and drifted out to sea.

At 5:40 p.m., in obedience to orders, steamed in toward the beach for the purpose of reembarking the troops.  At 7:50 commenced firing from  No. 2 starboard gun and No. 2 pivot.  At 10, ceased firing.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn & USS Emma at First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 3: Hit By a Shell, Bombarding and Delivering Messages for Porter

DECEMBER 25, 1864

At 12:15 p.m. the Emma was struck by a shell from the shore which went through the gig and bridge and explodes in the master's storeroom.  The Emma continued firing  all afternoon and from both sides of he ship.  At 6:30 p.m.,  the Emma began firing at intervals from the port side only.

The first away cutter returned to the ship after embarking Butler's troops on the beach.

At 9:30, the Emma ceased firing

DECEMBER 26, 1864

From midnight to 4 a.m., it was blowing heavy and raining.

At 9:15 a.m., weighed anchor and steamed inshore.  At 9:55 , all hands were called to quarters and firing began from the No, 1 pivot gun and port battery.  The ship was underway and steaming  to the south and east.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Emma delivered orders to the fleet from Admiral David D. Porter, arrived back at the fleet at 2:50 and spoke with the flagship Malvern.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C.Dunn and USS Emma at the First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2

By December 25, 1864, the USS Emma, under the command of Acting Lieut. Volunteer Thomas C. Dunn, was off New Inlet as the naval attack on the fort commenced.  They were listed as being in the Reserve Line (as was the USS Montgomery under  Lt. Edward  H. Faucon).

At 10:15, the flagship Malvern (also a former blockade runner, the Ella and Annie which had been captured off New Inlet in 1863) gave orders to form line of battle.  The Emma began firing at 11:30 a.m. against the Confederate Half Moon  battery (located 4 miles north of Fort Fisher where Carolina Beach, N.C. is located today).

The Half Moon battery mounted one or two smoothbore cannons and was so named by Union troops because of its crescent shape.

The fleet, at the same time, opened fire on Fort Fisher.

The Emma sent its first and second cutters to assist in landing the Union Army troops.

From noon to 4 p.m., the Emma steamed along in line of battle.  Then anchored and weighed anchor according to orders from the  flagship of the landing group, the A.D. Vance (also a captured former blockade runner under the command of Lt. Cmdr. John H. Upshur).

--Old B-Runner

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

Thomas C. Dunn, USN: A Brief History

From "Salem Vessels and Their Voyages"    The Barque Dragon.

CAPTAIN THOMAS C. DUNN

Captain Thomas C. Dunn, the new commander of the Dragon, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, the son of Thomas C. and Mary A. (Hutchinson) Dunn, and he died in Appleton, Wisconsin, May 9, 1910, in his 82nd year.

(This would prove that the gravestone in Appleton would have been his.)

He was educated in the public schools, and, when 21 years of age, Benjamin A. West, owner of the barque Pilot, made him master of the vessel and sent him on a voyage to the Feegee Islands  (Fiji), and he next commanded Mr. West's barque Dragon.

In the latter he made the quickest passage between Salem and New Zealand on record, sailing 16,770 miles in 85 days.

He had a wonderful experience while in the Feegee trade, while trading with the South Sea Islanders, as narrated in the letter  of George W, Crossette and printed in this sketch of Captain Dunn.

Captain Dunn continued in the merchant service until nearly the breaking of the Civil War.  He then shipped in the United States Navy, served four years,  and part of the time commanded a gunboat.  To of his commands were the USS Emma and the USS Montgomery.

After the war, he was engaged in business in the South and New York, and three years before his death he went to live with his son Elmer E. Dunn, in Appleton.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn Commanded USS Emma and Captured the Blockade Runner Ella

Register of Commissioned, Warrant and Volunteer  Officers  of the Navy of the United States.

HONORABLY DISCHARGED 1865

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Thomas C, Dunn  discharged  October 26, 1865.

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Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate December 29, 1864.

Abraham Lincoln nominated Thomas C. Dunn as an Acting Master to date from August 11, 1864.

From Annual Reports of the Navy Department.  December 6, 1864.

Acting  Volunteer Lieutenant Thomas C. Dunn was in command of the steamer USS Emma and involved in the destruction of the blockade running steamer  Ella on December 3, 1864.

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Lieutenant Thomas C. Dunn was in command of the USS Emma in the Reserve Line of ships during the First Battle of Fort Fisher.  The USS Montgomery, under Lt. Edward H. Faucon was also in this line.

--Old B-Runner

February 11, 1865: Attack On Half Moon Battery, NC

FEBRUARY 11TH, 1865:  The USS Keystone State, Aries, Montgomery, Howquah, Emma and Vicksburg engaged Half Moon battery, situated on the coastal flank of the Confederate defense line which crossed the Cape Fear Peninsula, six miles above Fort Fisher.

The bombardment contained General Hoke's division while General Schofield's troops moved up the beach and behind their rear.  Deteriorating weather, however, prevented the landing of pontoons, and Schofield withdrew his troops to the Fort Fisher lines.

Porter's gunboats also engaged the west bank batteries.

--Old B-Runner

USS Emma-- Part 3: At Both Battles of Fort Fisher

She remained with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until the end of the war.  It participated in the destruction of the blockade runner Ella off Wilmington, N.C. on 6 December 1864.

It was also at the two battles of Fort Fisher, December 24 and 25, 1864, and January 13-15, 1865.

On 26  April 1865, the Emma sailed from Fort Caswell, N.C., with an urgent message for  from General William T. Sherman to Rear Admiral Dahlgren of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which warned the admiral that Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet had not been located and might be heading for Cuba.

The Emma then put into Key West before returning to the Carolina coast until 24 August when she went to Boston where she was decommissioned August 30 and sold in November.

She operated as the merchant steamer Gaspe from 1866 until her sinking near Miquelon Island (near Newfoundland) 14 June 1872.

--Old B-Runer

USS Emma-- Part 2: Sold To U.S. Navy At N.Y. Prize Court

The Emma was a single screw steamer built in Glasgow, Scotland, for Thomas S. Begbie.  The Emma and her sister ship, the Gertrude were named for his two daughters.

The ship was captured on 24 July 1864 by the Army transport SS Arago off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, on its third voyage.  It was purchased by the U.S. Navy at prize court in New York City on 30 September 1863 and fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and put to sea 4 November 1863 with Acting Master G.B. Livingston in command.

The Emma arrived at Newport News, Virginia 7 November 1863 and joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron as a picket and patrol vessel.

--Old B-Runner

USS Emma I: A Captured Blockade Runner

I was unable to find out anything about the blockade runner Emma captured by the USS Rosalie on 9 June 1864 but did come across another blockade runner of the same name that was captured, became a Union ship and participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher.  Well, you know me, anything with Fort Fisher and I am interested.

From Wikipedia.

The Emma was launched  24 November 1862 and captured 24 July 1863.  Acquired by U.S. Navy 30  September 1863 commissioned  4 November 1863.  Decommissioned  30 August 1865.  Sold 1 November 1865.

350 tons, 156 feet ling 21 foot beam, screw-propelled, 12 knots,  68 crew,  six 24-pdr howitzers and  two 12-pdr. rifles.

--Old B-Runner

Union Ships Attack Half Moon Battery Above Fort Fisher

FEBRUARY 11TH, 1865:  The USS Keystone State, Aries, Montgomery, Howquah, Emma and Vicksburg engaged Half Moon Battery, situated on the coastal flank of the Confederate defense line (by present-day Carolina Beach) which crossed the Cape Fear Peninsula six miles above Fort Fisher.

This bombardment contained General Hoke's division while General Schofield's troops moved up along the beach and got behind the Confederates.

Deteriorating weather conditions, however, prevented the landing of the pontoons, and Schofield withdrew his troops back to the Fort Fisher lines.

In the meantime, Porter's ships in the Cape Fear River engaged the west bank batteries.

--Old B-Runner