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

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