Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny-- Part 2: Was It Carrying a Sword for Robert E. Lee?

The Fanny and Jenny's cargo list  had bacon,  coal and liquor aboard it, but legends abound that it also carried a gold sword with inlaid jewels, that was supposed to be presented to General Robert E. Lee, a present from British admirers.

William Keeler, the paymaster of the USS Florida (who was also  on the USS Monitor at the famous battle with the CSS Virginia and the Monitor's sinking) related that he had heard from a sailor that the Fanny and Jenny's captain had been seen carrying a sword off the vessel, but as he was being rowed ashore, the boat was swamped by a wave and the sword lost.

The wrecks of two other blockade runners, the Emily of London and the Dee, are located off Wrightsville Beach between Crystal Pier and the jetty at Masonboro Inlet.  These two have been sanded over and are not  visible on the seabed.

More about the Fanny and Jenny can be found  in  Ray MacAllister's book, "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island."

--Old B-R'er

March 18, 1862: Capture a B-R, Lose a B-R

MARCH 18, 1862:  The USS Florida, James Adger, Sumpter, Flambeau and Onward captured the British blockade runner Emily St. Pierre off Charleston, S.C..  The master and steward, left on board, overpowered prize master Josiah Stone off Cape Hatteras, recaptured the vessel, and sailed for Liverpool, England.

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: Welles Reestablishes the West India Squadron

DECEMBER 4, 1865:  Secretary Welles announced that the West India Squadron was to be reestablished in that area "where we have so large a trade, and where, owing to the proximity of the islands to our shores, it is essential that we cultivate friendly relations."

Commodore James S. Palmer was designated to command this squadron with the USS Rhode Island serving as his flagship.  The eight additional vessels comprising the squadron were: USS  De Soto, Swatara, Monongahela, Florida, Augusta, Shamrock, Ashuelot,  and Monocacy.

--Old B-R'er

Expedition Against Swansboro, NC

MARCH 24TH, 1864: An Army-Navy expedition departed Beaufort, NC, on USS Britannia with 200 soldiers and 50 sailors from the USS Keystone Stae, Florida and Cambridge. The object was to capture or destroy two schooners used in blockade-running at Swansboro, NC, and the capture of Confederate troops on the south end of Bogue Island Banks.

They arrived off Bogue Island late at night and encountered high winds and heavy seas which prevented landing. On the 25th, a second attempt succeeded, but a group got to Bear Creek where one of the schooners was burned.

Bad weather continued and the expedition returned, only partially successful.

-- Old B-R'er

USS Florida Forces Blockade-Runner Fanny and Jenny Aground Near Masonboro Inlet, NC: Robert E. Lee's Sword

The USS Florida was making quite a name for herself in destroying blockade-runners in the early part of February. After forcing the Fanny and Jenny aground, Commander Pierce Crosby sighted the blockade-runner Emily aground nearby. Unable to get either steamer afloat and under fire from a Confederate Whitworth battery (long range and very accurate), Crosby burned both.

The Fanny and Jenny carried an assorted cargo, including a large quantity of coal. The Emily carried a cargo of salt.

On the Fanny and Jenny was found a solid gold jewel-studded sword inscribed: "To General Robert E. Lee, from his British symphathizers."

From crew members of the Fanny and Jenny, Crosby also learned that ten blockade runners had sailed from Nassau for Wilmington "....during the dark of the moon. Three have been destroyed, and one put back, broken down, leaving six others to be heard from."

And, Crosby Was Just the Guy to Hear 'Em. --Old B-R'er

I Did Mention the Calypso

I was wondering whether or not I had mentioned the capture of the blockade-runner Calypso on June 11, 1863, and found that I must have as it was mentioned in the Civil War Naval Chronology which I use for my Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago.

 For JUNE 11TH, the CWNC listed: "U.S.S. Florida, Commander Bankhead, captured blockade running steamer Calypso attempting to dash into Wilmington with cargo including drugs, provisions, and plating for ironclads."

-- Old B-Runner

Capture of Blockade-Runner Calypso-- Part 3

Many private papers were found and sealed to be shipped to prize commissioners. Fifty people were still aboard, nine from Confederate states. They were assigned to messes on the Florida.

"Some of the cargo was thrown overboard; how much, it is impossible to state, as they had succeeded in destroying or concealing all papers or cargo lists which could throw any light upon the subject. Some iron plating for ironclads was thrown overboard, and no doubt, many smaller articles."

Acting Ensign S.P. Crafts and ten men were detailed as a prize crew to take the ship north with orders to return as soon as possible. The prisoners had all been transferred to the USS Massachusetts which will also tow the Calypso north.

Lee's Report Next. --Old B-R'er

Capture of Blockade-Runner Calypso-- Part 2

Two boats had already left with a number of people on board, including four females. The Florida sent men to board the ship and found that efforts had been made to scuttle it, but the leaks were plugged.

The crew had broken into the the ship's stores and pillaged. Clothing, bottles and bedding were strewn all over the ship. "Many were more or less intoxicated."

The ship "proved to be the Confederate steamer Calypso, four days out of Nassau, bound for Wilmington, N.C., by way of New Inlet. No ship's papers were discovered on board and but one flag (Confederate, or rebel) hidden away in a washboard.

The captain, without hesitation, acknowledged her to be a Confederate vessel and stated his cargo to consist of liquors, medicines, drugs and provisions, with probably some articles for the rebel Government."

More to Come. --Old B-Runner

Capture of Blockade-Runner Calypso-- Part 1

From the June 14, 2013, UNC Libraries Civil War Day By Day.

The report of Commander Bankwood of the USS Florida of the capture of the Confederate staemer Calypso, June 11, 1863. From the ORN. I'll be using my paraphrasing of the report.

The USS Florida was at its station, six miles off the Western Bar of the Cape Fear River at 3 P.M. on the 11th, when a strange sail was seen. Bankhead made General Signal 1116 and was answered and went off in pursuit.

The unidentified ship altered course immediately and much effort was made to catch the ship, including more canvas sails and burning "slush") in the furnaces. The Florida got within range of its rifled gun and on the third shot the ship appeared to stop

By 6 P.M. the Florida closed in and discovered people quickly abandoning ship.

More to Come. --Old B-R'er

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: June 18th to 20th,1863

JUNE 18TH

Farragut's ships drove off Confederates getting ready to attack Donalsonville, Louisiana, which would have cut off supplies going from New Orleans to General Banks' Army besieging Port Hudson.

Union ships on the Mississippi return from expedition where 60-70 watercraft were destroyed which might have been used to transport Confederate troops.


JUNE 19TH

Mallory writes Bulloch in Liverpool asking him to quickly purchase" a very fast steamer suitable for blockade running between Nassau, Bermuda, Charleston and Wilmington.  A capacity for stowing from 600 to 1,000 bales of cotton upon not over 10 feet of draft would be desirable."


JUNE 20TH

Heavy combined Army-Navy bombardment of Vicksburg, lasted for six hours.

CSS Alabama captured bark Conrad and commissioned it as cruiser CSS Tuscaloosa.

CSS Tacony captured two ships and burned them.

USS Santiago de Cuba seized blockade-running British steamer Victory in the Bahamas after a long chase.  The runner was from Wilmington with a cargo of cotton, tobacco and turpentine.

USS Florida captured  schooner Hattie off Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina (Cape Fear River).

Old B-Runner