The USS Niphon and Blockade Runner Condor

On the night of 29 September 1864, the USS Niphon fired on the blockade runner Night Hawk and observed her go aground by Fort Fisher.  A boat crew led by Acting Ensign Semon boarded it under the fire of Fort Fisher, set her afire and brought off its crew as prisoners.

The Niphon was largely responsible for the Condor running ashore but unable to board it because of gunfire from Fort Fisher.

It is usually thought the Condor ran aground because it mistook the wreck of the Night Hawk for a Union blockading ship.

--Old B-Runner