November 20, 1864: USS Louisiana to Become the Fort Fisher Powder Vessel

NOVEMBER 20TH, 1864:  Rear Admiral Porter directed Commander Macomb to send the USS Louisiana to Beaufort, North Carolina.  The Louisiana was to become the powder ship with which Admiral Porter and General Butler hoped to level Fort Fisher and obviate the necessity of direct attack.

Early in December she was taken to Hampton Roads, where she was partially stripped and loaded with explosives.

They made the Louisiana look more like a blockade runner to cover its real intention while getting up as close as possible to the fort before exploding.

--Old B-Runner