USS Montgomery: A Civilian Ship Purchased by the U.S. Navy

From Atlantic Divers  "Max's Wreck -- Montgomery"

WRECK OF USS MONTGOMERY FOUND

This steamer was discovered by Atlantic Divers in 1989 on the dive boat  Down Deep.    The wreck was named after  Captain Bob Meimbresse's dog that was on board that day.  It has recently been identified as the USS Montgomery.

In 2008,  Gene Peterson and Harold Moyers on the dive boat Big Mac recovered a bilge pump which positively identified the site.

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The USS Montgomery was a 797-iron (burden) wooden screw steamship, built in New York City in 1858.  She was chartered by the U.S. Navy in May 1861 and placed in commission as the USS Montgomery.  The Navy purchased her in August of that year.

During June-November 1861, she served in the Gulf of Mexico enforcing the blockade of western Florida.  Later that year, she was shifted to the  northern Gulf coast.  On 4 December 1861, in Mississippi Sound,  she engaged the Confederate steamers Florida (not the commerce raider) and Pamlico.

--Old B-Runner

Abner Read, USN-- Part 4: Takes Over 30 Prizes, Farragut's Impressed

In the next months, the USS New London took over 30 prizes.  Her success was so remarkable that Flag Officer David Farragut felt he had to have the ship in his new command when he took command of the eastern section of the Gulf Squadron, now called the East Gulf Blockading Squadron.

He wrote:  "...Lieutenant Read's  having made her such a terror to the Confederates in this quarter that justice to the service required me to keep her ...,"    He continued, she was "...absolutely necessary  to command the inland passage...."

For his part, Read was ready for any undertaking.    When he found "...two rebel steamers...at Pass Christian..." on  25 March 1862, the New London headed straight for the CSS Pamlico and CSS Oregon and drove them off to the protection of Confederate shore batteries. after a two-hour engagement.

--Old B-Runner

Bennett W. Green-- Part 4: Confederate Service

ARMY SERVICE at Culpepper Court House, Virginia, 1861

CSS Pamlico, New Orleans Station

There was a training base and Army hospital at Culpepper Court House, va.

The CSS Pamlico was sidewheel steamer purchased in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 10 July 1862 and placed in commission 2 September, 1861, with Lt. W.G. Dozier in command.

It operated in and around New Orleans and fought Union ships on December 4 and 7, 1861, 25 March 1862 and 4 April 1862.

I was burned on Lake Pontchartran, Louisiana to prevent capture after New Orleans fell.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, December 4, 1861: USS Montgomery Attacked By Confederate Steamers

DECEMBER 4TH, 1861:  Confederate steamers Florida and Pamlico attacked the USS Montgomery, Commander Thompson D. Shaw, off Horn Island Pass, Mississippi Sound.

--Old B-Runner