Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny-- Part 2: Was It Carrying a Sword for Robert E. Lee?

The Fanny and Jenny's cargo list  had bacon,  coal and liquor aboard it, but legends abound that it also carried a gold sword with inlaid jewels, that was supposed to be presented to General Robert E. Lee, a present from British admirers.

William Keeler, the paymaster of the USS Florida (who was also  on the USS Monitor at the famous battle with the CSS Virginia and the Monitor's sinking) related that he had heard from a sailor that the Fanny and Jenny's captain had been seen carrying a sword off the vessel, but as he was being rowed ashore, the boat was swamped by a wave and the sword lost.

The wrecks of two other blockade runners, the Emily of London and the Dee, are located off Wrightsville Beach between Crystal Pier and the jetty at Masonboro Inlet.  These two have been sanded over and are not  visible on the seabed.

More about the Fanny and Jenny can be found  in  Ray MacAllister's book, "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island."

--Old B-R'er

Wreck of Blockade Runner Fanny and Jenny at Wrightsville Beach-- Part 1

From Sept. 24, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "My Reporter":  Is a Civil War blockade runner  sunk off Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach?"  Ben Steelman.

The Fanny and Jenny, sunk February 10, 1864, while on its first run through the blockade.  Its engines used to be visible at low tide.

Crystal Pier at the Oceanic Restaurant, was deliberately built over the Fanny and Jenny wreck, according to Mark Wilde-Ramsing of the N.C. Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher.  Blockade runner wrecks are valued  as exceptionally good fishing spots.

Builders dynamited part of the wreck in 1938, while extending the length of the pier to 901 feet, according to Chris Fonvielle of the UNC_Wilmington.  (Hurricanes have sheered off much of the pier since then.)  Divers excavated a number of artifacts from the wreck in the 1960s, including the ship's anchor, which was displayed on shore.

--Old B-Runner

Blockade Runners Sunk at Masoboro Inlet and Wreck of USS Columbia

From Wrightsville Beach (NC) Magazine  "Wrightsville Wreck of USS Columbia:  by Chris Fonvielle.

Three other wrecks of blockade runners believed to be the Dee, Fanny and Jenny and  the Emily were discovered between the inlet and Crystal Pier.  A recent dredging project by the U.S. Army Corps of Enhineers disturbed the Columbia shipwreck.

Adding to the evidence that that wreck is that of the Columbia,  three wooden sabots that cushioned 24-pdr. cannonballs washed ashore at Masonboro Island, just south of the inlet in 2010.  They were discovered by a Southport resident who turned them over to  the North Carolina Division of Archives and History Underwater  Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach for conservation.  The Columbia's armament included six 24 pdr. cannons.

--Old B-Runner

Action in North Carolina, Feb. 8-29: USCT, Blockade Runners and Cushing

FEB.  8

35th  U.S. Colored Troops-- redesignation from the 1st N.C. Infantry, African Descent.
36th U.S. Colored Troops--  redesignation from the 2nd N.C. Infantry, African descent.
37th U.S. Colored Troops--  redesignation from the 3rd N.C. Infantry, African Descent.   The 37th USCT was at both battles of Fort Fisher.

FEB.9--  Reconnaissance towards Swansborough.

FEB. 10--  Destruction of blockade runners Emily and the Fanny and Jenny near Masonboro Inlet.

FEB. 16--  Affair at Fairfield.

FEB. 16--  Capture of blockade runner Pet off Lockwood's Folly Inlet, Cape Fear.

FEB. 29--  Boat expedition under Lieutenant Cushing into the Cape Fear River.

That Sneaky Old Cushing.  --Old B-Runner

USS Florida Forces Blockade-Runner Fanny and Jenny Aground Near Masonboro Inlet, NC: Robert E. Lee's Sword

The USS Florida was making quite a name for herself in destroying blockade-runners in the early part of February. After forcing the Fanny and Jenny aground, Commander Pierce Crosby sighted the blockade-runner Emily aground nearby. Unable to get either steamer afloat and under fire from a Confederate Whitworth battery (long range and very accurate), Crosby burned both.

The Fanny and Jenny carried an assorted cargo, including a large quantity of coal. The Emily carried a cargo of salt.

On the Fanny and Jenny was found a solid gold jewel-studded sword inscribed: "To General Robert E. Lee, from his British symphathizers."

From crew members of the Fanny and Jenny, Crosby also learned that ten blockade runners had sailed from Nassau for Wilmington "....during the dark of the moon. Three have been destroyed, and one put back, broken down, leaving six others to be heard from."

And, Crosby Was Just the Guy to Hear 'Em. --Old B-R'er

Early February 1864 a Particularly Bad Time for Blockade-Runners Near NC's Cape Fear River

From the NC WreckDiving site.

Six blockade-runners were lost between Feb. 1-9, 1864, near Wilmington, NC, an extremely high number with February 9th especially bad with three lost.

Feb. 1st: WILD DAYRELL at Stump Inlet

Feb. 4th: NUTFIELD at New River Inlet

Feb. 6th: DEE off Cape Fear River

Feb. 9th: FANNY & JENNY by Wrightsville Beach

Feb. 9th: EMILY OF LONDON by Wrightsville Beach

Feb. 9th: SPUNKIE by the Cape Fear River.

Hey, Those Are My Ships!! --Old B-Runner