USS Berberry-- Part 4: The USS Niphon Rescues the Stricken Berberry

As she moved away from the stricken Aster, the Berberry ran across the hawser that had been used in the attempt to draw the ship off the shoals and it got all tangled in the propellers.  The Berberry's commander then had his men raise all the awnings, blankets and other large pieces of cloth as jury-rigged  "sails to drift the Berberry off shore."  meanwhile, he burned Costan signal lights to call for help.

When the USS Niphon saw the lights it had been preparing to launch boats to board the stranded blockade runner Annie that the Aster had been chasing.  They immediately abandoned that project and  and headed for the Berberry to lend aid.

About this time, the Aster burst into flame, illuminating both Union ships and Confederate batteries opened fire on them.  Despite this, the Niphon was able to pull the Berberry off.  The berberry was leaking so badly, however, that she had to go to Norfolk for repairs.

--Old B-Runner