James H. Tomb, CSN-- Part 3: Civil War and Brazilian ServiceService

From Google Books for Tomb's "Engineer in Gray."

You can get an idea of the ships and operations Tomb was involved with by the chapters in his Table of Contents:

CSS Jackson
CSS McRae
Prison Life at Fort Warren

CSS Chicora
CSS David
CSS Juno

More Torpedo Attacks
CSS Leesburg  (I am unable to find anymore information on this ship or the CSS Juno.
Badly used Up

The Cause Is Lost
Various Ocial Documents, Parts A & B  (I believe Ocial is a misprint)
To South America

Loss of the Rio de Janeiro
Adios South America
Appendix A:  Submarines and  Torpedo Boats
Torpedo Service in the Harbor

--Old B-Runner

April 28, 1862: Forts Jackson and St. Philip Surrender

APRIL 28TH, 1862:  Forts Jackson and St. Philip, isolated since being  passed by Flag Officer Farragut's  fleet and the fall of New Orleans, surrendered to the Navy; the terms of capitulation were signed on board the USS Harriet Lane, Commander David Dixon Porter's flagship.

The CSS Louisiana, Defiance and McRae were destroyed to prevent their capture.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago: Mallory Wants Commerce Cruisers

APRIL 26TH, 1861:  Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory reported:  "I propose to adopt a class of vessels hitherto unknown to naval services.  The perfection of a warship would doubtless be a combination of the greatest known ocean speed with the greatest known floating battery and power of resistance ... agents of the department have thus far purchased but two [steam vessels], which combine the requisite qualities.

"  These, the Sumter and McRae, are being fitted  as cruisers... Vessels of this character and capacity cannot be found in this country, and must be constructed or purchased abroad."

Mallory discussed naval ordnance:  "Rifled cannon... having obtained a range and accuracy beyond any other form of ordnance ...  I propose to introduce them into the Navy ...  Small propeller ships, with great speed, lightly armed with these guns, must soon become as the light artillery and rifles of the deep, a most destructive element of naval warfare."

And, Mallory had great success with his commerce cruisers as we all know.

--Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 26th to 28th: Fall of Fort Macon

APRIL 26TH

Farragut issues orders for fleet to give thanks to God for the victory at New Orleans.

Fort Macon, NC, surrenders to combined land-sea forces under Commander Lockwood and Brigadier General John G. Parke.  The USS Daylight, State of Georgia, Chippewa and Gemsbok heavily bombard the fort and two blockade-runners, the Alliance and Gondar were captured after the fort's surrender.


APRIL 27TH

Fort Livingston, Bastian By, Louisiana, surrenders to Navy.    Boat crew from the USS Kittatinny raised the U.S. flag over the fort.


APRIL 28TH

Forts Jackson and St. Philip, isolated since the fleet ran past them, surrender to Navy aboard USS Harriet Lane, Commander David D. Porter's flagship.

The CSS Louisiana, Defiance and McRae destroyed to prevent capture.

Another Really Bad Three Days for the Confederacy.  --Old B-Runner