George Henry Preble-- Part 8: Postwar Service and Death

After the war, Preble commanded the steamer USS State of Georgia and rescued 600 passengers from the wreck of the steamer Golden Rule.  From 1865 to 1868, he was at the Boston Navy Yard where he was promoted to captain March 16, 1867.  Then he commanded the screw steamer USS Pensacola until 1870.

Promoted to commodore in 1871 and commanded the Philadelphia Navy Yard 1873-1875.  Became rear admiral September 30, 1876, and retired in 1878.

He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (an organization of former Union officers) and in 1873 was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society.  He died in Boston, Massachusetts March 1, 1885 and is buried near his famous uncle at Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine.

--Old B-Runner

Capture of Blockade Runner Sunbeam-- Part 4: Confusing Lights Seen

The Sunbeam was a bark rigged ship with much canvas and resembles an English gunboat "when first seen."  It is a sailing vessel with steam as an auxiliary and can speed along at 13 knots using canvas alone.

The crew said they spotted land last night but became confused by lights it saw which most likely were between the State of Georgia and the Mystic to the mail steamer Massachusetts which had arrived from New York.

Apparently, the Sunbeam threw over 3 guns.  Its cargo consisted of gun powder and army stores.

The letter was sent to the Honorable Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

--Old B-Runner

Capture of Blockade Runner Sunbeam on Sept. 28, 1862-- Part 3

Cmdr. Armstrong of the USS State of Georgia mentioned that the USS Mystic was present at the capture (important as this means the Mystic will receive a share of the prize money).

He was sending along the Sunbeam's logbook and all papers found on the ship (important for finding that the ship was running the blockade so subject to being sold).

There was a large number of persons on the Sunbeam.  They took off John Kidd, fireman; William Caldwell, fireman; Francis Pather, fireman and John McClelland, James Frazer and George Gregg, all seamen.  These six will be sent to New York as soon as possible..

They left on board the master, 2 mates, 2 passengers, 2 engineers and six crew members.

The master of the Sunbeam claims he ran in while in distress, but his choosing early daylight is a typical blockade runner ploy.  He was aware of his position and had steamed west by north and had gotten his fires up at 8 p.m. in preparation to run in.

--Old B-R'er

Capture of Blockade Runner Sunbeam, September 28, 1862-- Part 1

Letter from Cmdr. Armstrong of the USS State of Georgia to adjudication judge in New York City concerning the capture of the Sunbeam.  From ORN.

At daylight, a sail was seen near Smith's Island, a chase was given by the USS State of Georgia and USS Mystic.  The ship proved to be a steamer.  The U.S. colors were on the Union ships and the steamer had English colors.  The ship continued running in, even after a gun was fired to her leeward.

The steamer came within range of Fort Fisher's guns, which opened fire on the Union ships.

More shots fired and the Sunbeam was captured about a mile and a half from Fort Fisher.

The steamer proved to be the Sunbeam, which the U.S. consul in Liverpool had warned would try to run the blockade back on August 6 and that it would be carrying gunpowder and muskets for the Confederate government.

--Old B-R'er

About the Destruction of the Schooner Sept. 26 and Capture of the Sunbeam Sept. 28

On September 26, I wrote about the USS State of Georgia and USS Mystic chasing a blockade running schooner ashore near Fort Fisher and then in the last post, I wrote that the British steamer Sunbeam had also been captured in the area.

It turns out that the same two ships were also involved with the capture of the Sunbeam.

In the ORN, Cmdr. Armstrong of the USS State of Georgia reported to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles on the two actions.

The capture of the Sunbeam took place along with the USS Mystic.  The blockade runner was now being sent to New York in charge of Acting Master Charles Folsom and a prize crew for adjudication.

He also mentioned that on September 26th, a schooner had endeavored to run the blockade off New Inlet, had been chased ashore under the guns of a battery.  The Mystic and State of Georgia ran in and shelled the camp of the rebels and the battery and effectually destroyed the schooner.

But, No prize Money With the Schooner.  Too Bad.  --Old B-Runner

Events in North Carolina September 1862: Zebulon Vance Becomes Governor

SEPTEMBER  2--  Skirmish at Plymouth.

SEPTEMBER 6--  Confederate attack on Washington, N.C. including naval operations.

SEPTEMBER  7-9--   Expedition of the USS Hunchback up Chowan River.

SEPTEMBER  8--  Zebulon B. Vance becomes  governor of North Carolina.  Conservative party, former U.S. Congressman (1858-1861) and former colonel of the 26th N.C. Regiment.

SEPTEMBER 17-19--  Operations around Shiloh

SEPTEMBER 25--  Attack on blockade runner Kate.

SEPTEMBER 26--  Schooner chased ashore and destroyed near Fort Fisher by USS Mystic and USS State of Georgia.

SEPTEMBER 28--  Capture of blockade runner Sunbeam at New Inlet.  (Captured by USS State of Georgia and USS Mystic,

--Old B-Runner

September 26, 1862: Unknown Blockade Runner Chased Ashore at New Inlet

 SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1862:  USS State of Georgia, Commander Armstrong, and the USS Mystic, Lt. Commander Arnold, chased a blockade running schooner (name unknown) ashore at New Inlet, North Carolina (guarded by the beginnings of Fort Fisher), and destroyed her.

--Old B-Runner

May 28, 1862: Blockade Runner Nassau Captured Near Fort Caswell, N.C.

MAY 28TH, 1862:  The USS State of Georgia, Commander Armstrong, and USS Victoia, Acting Master Joshua D. Warren, captured steamer Nassau near Fort Caswell, North Carolina, running into Old Inlet of the Cape Fear River.

--Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: September 26th to 30th-- Mobile Support

SEPTEMBER 26TH

The USS State of Georgia and Mystic chased a blockade-running schooner (name unknown) ashore at New Inlet, NC, and destroyed it.

Rear Admiral Du Pont wants "mobile support" in the form of ships holding 1000 tons of coal and with hoisting equipment to be on blockade station.  This way, the blockading ships would not have to leave station and sail to supply depots to replenish.

This antedated the modern use of fleet oilers.  Store ships, receiving ships and machinery repair hulks were already being used at Port Royal, the principal base of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.


SEPTEMBER 28TH

The USS State of Georgia and Mystic  captured British blockade-running steamer Sunbeam near New Inlet, NC.


SEPTEMBER 30TH

Asst. Sec. of the Navy Fox wrote Commodore Blake, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, now located at Newport, RI, that "The seamanship is of utmost importance, in my opinion, notwithstanding steam, and iron clads.  I share the old Jack Tar feeling that a sailor can do anything, and that a man is not goof for much, who is not a thorough seaman."

D.D. Porter was afraid training was getting too scientific.

Old B-R'er

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 26th to 28th: Fall of Fort Macon

APRIL 26TH

Farragut issues orders for fleet to give thanks to God for the victory at New Orleans.

Fort Macon, NC, surrenders to combined land-sea forces under Commander Lockwood and Brigadier General John G. Parke.  The USS Daylight, State of Georgia, Chippewa and Gemsbok heavily bombard the fort and two blockade-runners, the Alliance and Gondar were captured after the fort's surrender.


APRIL 27TH

Fort Livingston, Bastian By, Louisiana, surrenders to Navy.    Boat crew from the USS Kittatinny raised the U.S. flag over the fort.


APRIL 28TH

Forts Jackson and St. Philip, isolated since the fleet ran past them, surrender to Navy aboard USS Harriet Lane, Commander David D. Porter's flagship.

The CSS Louisiana, Defiance and McRae destroyed to prevent capture.

Another Really Bad Three Days for the Confederacy.  --Old B-Runner