USS Aster, Steam Tugboat Lost Off New Inlet

Earlier this month, I wrote about the loss of the USS Aster to the Union blockading squadron off Wilmington, North Carolina on October 8, 1864.

From Wikipedia.

Originally the tugboat Alice and acquired by the U.S. Navy 25 July 1864. at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and placed in commission 12 August 1864.    It was ordered to duty with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Wilmington.  She joined that squadron but was soon in Norfolk, Virginia for repairs.

She arrived back off New Inlet on  7 October and almost immediately spied a blockade runner making for the entrance and gave chase to cut it off.  The blockade runner turned out to be the Anne, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Just as the Aster was about to catch up with the Annie, it grounded on the Carolina Shoals.  Every effort was made to refloat the ship, but failed.  The USS Berberry came to her aide but was also unsuccessful.

The Aster's crew was transferred to the Berberry and the tug put to the torch causing it to blow up.

The Annie managed to slip into the Cape Fear River and make her way to Wilmington, but was captured on her way out on October 31.

--Old B-Runner