Fates of Some Blockade Runners

From "Civil War Navies 1855-1883" by Paul H. Silverstone.

CERES

Run aground off Old Inlet, N.C., on 6 December 1863.  Set on fire, but captured by USS Violet.

DEE

Ran blockade seven times.  Chased ashore by the USS Cambridge and destroyed near Masonboro Inlet, 5 February 1864.

 FLORA

Ran blockade 11 times.  Sold to the Confederate government, October 1863.  renamed the Virginia and then the Cape Fear.    Used as a transport on the Cape Fear River.  Scuttled off Smithville (Southport) 16 January 1865.

HEBE

Ran blockade 3 times.  Chased ashore by the USS Shokokan at New Inlet, N.C., and destroyed, 18 August 1863.

VESTA

Run around and destroyed while trying to enter Little River Inlet, N.C., on first voyage, 11 January 1863.

--Old B-Runner

Action at New Topsail Inlet on August 22, 1863-- Part 2: Cushing's At It Again

AUGUST 22ND, 1863:  Boat crew from the USS Shokokon, Lieutenant Cushing, destroyed schooner Alexander Cooper in New Topsail Inlet, North Carolina.

"This was,"  Rear Admiral S.P. Lee wrote, "a handsome affair, showing skill and gallantry."

Ten days earlier, Cushing had sighted the blockade runner while he was on a reconnaissance of the inlet.  "This schooner," he said, "I determined to destroy, and as it was so well guarded I concluded to use strategy."

The evening of the 22nd, he sent two boats' crews ashore under the command of Acting Ensign Joseph E. Cony.  The men landed, shouldered a dingy, and carried it across a neck of land to the inlet.

Thus the assault took place from behind the Confederate works with marked success.  In addition to burning the Alexander Cooper, Cony destroyed extensive salt works in the vicinity and took three prisoners back to the Shokokon.

Very Sneaky Mr. Cushing.  --Old B-Runner

Action At New Topsail Inlet, N.C. (and a Medal of Honor)

From Into the Breach blog site  August 22:  Today in Military History.

I wrote about this in September 2013.

August 22, 1863:  The crew of the Union steamer USS Shokokon spots the Confederate schooner Alexander Cooper in New Topsail Inlet on the North Carolina Coast (near present-day Camp Lejeune).  A crew of sailors board a boat which they use to reach the rear of the Confederate camp guarding the ship, where the Master-at-arms, Robert T. Clifford, sneaks ashore and counts the enemy.

Although outnumbered three-to-one, Clifford leads a charge against the Rebels, who are routed and leave behind their ship and supplies.

For his actions, Clifford is awarded the Medal of Honor.

My mom used to own a condo near New Topsail Inlet, N.C.

--Old B-Runner

March 28, 1865: Operations on the Neuse and Chowan Rivers

Commander Macomb received Porter's orders via the swift steamer USS Bat on March 30, and on the following day, replied from Roanoke Island:  "A immediately had an interview with the general and arranged that Captain Rhind would attend to everything relating to the Navy in the Neuse [River].

"I am on my way to Plymouth to carry out your orders as regards sending vessels to Winton, on the Chowan [River], and holding the same.  The Shokokon and Commodore Hull are on their way up from New Berne.

"As soon as possible after my arrival at Plymouth I shall proceed up the Chowan, dragging ahead for torpedoes."

Control of the sea and rivers continued to be as invaluable to the North in operations at the end of the war as it had from the start.

--Old B-Runner

Operations on the Chowan River, N.C.

APRIL 5TH, 1865:  Commander Macomb steadily pushed up the narrowing Chowan River and its tributaries preparing for General Sherman's move north.  This date he reported from "Meherrin River, near Murfreesboro, N.C. near the Virginia border and far inland:  "The steamer Shokokon arrived at Winton yesterday, and I have stationed her a short distance below here near an ugly bluff some 60 or 80 feet high, on which I thought the rebels might give us some trouble on our return.

"There were some rifle pits on the brow of this bluff, but I sent a party down there and had them filled up.  There is also an old earthwork, made to mount six guns a short distance below here which I have partially destroyed.

"The river is rather narrower than the Roanoke, but not quite so crooked.  I got 50 men (soldiers) from Winton to hold the bluff till we have passed, the river being very crooked and narrow at this point, so much so that we are unable to steam by, but will have to warp the ship round."

--Old B-R'er

Naval Operations in North Carolina Sounds-- Part 2

Commander Macomb received Porter's orders via the swift steamer USS Bat on 30 March, and, the following day, replied from Roanoke Island:  "I immediately had an interview with the general and arranged that Captain Rhind would attend to everything relating to the Navy in the Neuse.

"I am on my way to Plymouth to carry out your orders as regards sending vessels to Winton, on the Chowan and holding the same.  The Shokokon and Commodore Hull are on their way up from New berne.  As soon as possible after my arrival at Plymouth I shall proceed up the Chowan, dragging ahead for torpedoes."

Control of the sea and rivers continued to be as invaluable to the North on operations at the end of the war as it had from the start.

--Old B-R'er

Capture of Confederate Ports Aiding the Union Navy

MARCH 1ST, 1865:  The capture of ports on the Confederate coast injured the South and aided the North in many ways throughout the war.  One was the availability of the Union Navy of nearby "advance bases" for operations and repairs.

On this date, Commander William H. Macomb, writing Rear Admiral Porter from the North Carolina Sounds, reported the arrival of the USS Shokokon at Plymouth:  "She arrived yesterday and I sent her to New Berne to have her decks shored up and breeching bolts fitted for her IX-inch guns."

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago-- July 26-27 USS Shokokon Engaged on James River

JULY 26-27TH, 1864:  Pickets from the USS Shokokon were attacked by Confederate sharpshooters at Turkey Bend, James River, Virginia.  The Shokokon supported the embattled landing party with gunfire and succeeded in preventing their capture.

The next day, the ship engaged a Confederate battery at the same place.

Hot Turkeys.  Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago-- June 20-21, 1864

JUNE 20TH, 1864:  USS Morse and Cactus engaged and drove off Confederate batteries which had opened fire on Union Army supply wagons near White House, Virginia.  Rear Admiral Lee reported: "Deserters afterwards reported that a force estimated at 10,000 of Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry intended attacking our trains, but were deterred from the attempt by the fire of the gunboats.  The next day the USS Shokokon broke up an attack on Union Army transport Eliza Hancox at Cumberland Point, Virginia.

The Navy to the Rescue.  Must Be Nice to Have Control of the Rivers.

JUNE 20-24TH, 1864:  Iron screw steamer USS Calypso and wooden side wheeler Nansemond transported and aided Union Army expedition in the vicinity of New River, NC.  The object was to cut the Wilmington & Weldon railroad, but Confederates had learned of the attempt and compelled the troops to board the ships and leave.

This railroad's strategic importance made it the target of many Union attempts to destroy it.

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago: August 18, 1863-- Destruction of the Blockade-Runner Hebe

AUGUST 18TH

USS Niphon chased the steamer Hebe, carrying drugs, clothing, coffee and provisions, ashore north of Fort Fisher, guarding Wilmington, NC. The ship's crew abandoned it. The Niphon, because of a gale, decided to destroy it rather than attempt to get it off.

Three boat crews sent to board it, were captured by Confederates ashore when their boats were either stove in or capsized in the heavy seas.

The USS Shokokon, Lt. Cushing, assisted in the destruction of the Hebe. The ship was riddled with shot and, according to Rear Admiral Lee, "She was as thoroughly burned as the water in her would allow."

 --Old B-Runner