USS Jouett (DD-396), Named After James Edward Jouett, Union Navy Officer

This was the destroyer that assisted the cruiser USS Omaha in sinking the German blockade runner SS Rio Grande during World War II.  

Like the Omaha, she had a Civil War connection as its name came from James Edward Jouett, a Union officer during the Civil War (and Mexican War).  He also commanded the USS Montgomery which I have written extensively about.

He was at the Battle of Mobile Bay where his ship, the Metacomet, was lashed to Admiral Farragut's Hartford and he was part of the quote everyone knows Farragut supposedly said, "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!"

Actually the words were, "Damn the torpedoes.  Four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead.  Jouett, full speed."

Afterwards, Jouett took his ship, the Metacomet and chased after two Confederate gunboats escorting the CSS Tennessee and riddled the CSS Gaines and captured the CSS Selma.

--Old B-Runner

J.R.M. Mullany at Battle of Mobile Bay-- Part 4: The End of the Battle

The fight for Mobile Bay was soon over at this point.  With the USS Oneida and USS Galena out of action,  the rest of Farragut's fleet took the CSS Gaines and CSS Salma out of action and then concentrated on the Confederate ironclad CSS Tennessee.  

Ramming the ship failed to stop it, but the concentrated fore of the heavy guns of the three remaining monitors eventually put  the Tennessee out of action and a gravely wounded Buchanan was forced to surrender.

The USS Galena finished out her days quietly.  After three months of duty with the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and four months of repairs,  it returned to  river duty in the Eastern Theater, where its career had begun as an ironclad.

In 1872, a decade after her launch in Mystic, Connecticut, the ironclad-turned-gunboat  was broken up at Norfolk Navy Yard.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Naval Officers: Joseph M. Gardner

From Naval War records:  Confederate States Naval Officers.

Born in Virginia.  Appointed from Virginia.

Resigned as acting midshipman, U.S. Navy, April 23, 1861.

Acting midshipman, July 8, 1861.

Second lieutenant , January 7, 1864, to rank from September 22, 1863.

"Promoted for gallant  and meritorious service conduct in the capture of  U.S. gunboats Satellite and Reliance in Rappahannock River, August 23, 1863."

First lieutenant Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864, to rank from January  6, 1864.

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Served on CSS Raleigh March 4, 1862.  CSS Gaines , 1862-1863.

Participated in Johnson's Island expedition, 1863.

Special Service 1863-1864.

CSS Tallahassee, 1864

CSS Fredericksburg, 1864

Commanding CSS Beaufort, 1864

--Old B-Runner

Battle of Mobile Bay-- Part 4 The CSS Tennessee

Hardly past one hazard, there came the CSS Tennessee.    Admiral Buchanan tried to ram the USS Hartford with his CSS Tennessee.  The Union ship easily avoided the attack, but was raked by the CSS Selma, commanded by Lt. Peter U. Murphey,  while doing so.

The USS Metacomet, commanded by Lt.Cmdr. Jouett, engaged the Selma and caused her to surrender.shortly after 9 a.m..

The Tennessee then tried to ram the Brooklyn, but failed as well.

The CSS Gaines advanced but had her steering hit and came under heavy fire.  It was run aground near Fort Morgan and settled in two fathoms.  The CSS Morgan tried to save the Selma, but when faced with the possibility of being cut off, ran under the cover of Fort Morgan's guns and later made a run to safety to Mobile.

The USS Philippi ran aground and came under fire of Fort Morhan and riddled the ship with shot and shell, forcing the crew to abandon ship.    A boat crew from the CSS Morgan boarded it and set her on fire.

The Union fleet was now in Mobile Bay and anchored for a short time.  Farragut saw that Buchanan had intentions of destroying the Hartford and ordered the monitors and wooden vessels he considered best to engage the Tennessee to attack the ram with both guns and ram it when possible.

Phase Two Over.  --Old B-Runner

More on Confederate Activity At Mobile Bay

DECEMBER 2ND, 1863:

Furthermore, in Mobile Bay, the Confederates had two floating batteries mounting three guns each and ten transport steamers. Bell's report also noted: "At Selma there is a large vessel building, to be launched in January. There are three large rams building on the Tombigbee River, to be launched during the winter."

Rear Admiral Farragut would face just four of these ships (Tennessee, Selma, Gaines and Morgan) in his attack on Mobile in August 1864. Lack of machinery, iron and skilled worers prevented the others from being in the battle.

--Old B-Runner