Some More Information on Thomas C. Dunn

From the January 21, 1865, Army Navy Journal

Acting Masters promoted to Acting Volunteer Lieutenants:  On of them was Thomas C. Dunn. 

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There is also a booklet in Google Books called "Answer to Thomas C. Dunn" by James  B. Campbell that is five pages long and printed in 1875.  Is this out Thomas C. Dunn?

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In connection (maybe) with the above fact, there was a James B. Campbell who in 187? was seeking a suit against John Fraser & Co., the noted blockade running outfit during the war.  It was 243 pages long.

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The September 30, 1863, U.S. Navy Department has a list of acting masters and their stations.  There was a Thomas C, Dunn on the steamboat USS Kanawha.

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The Annual Report of the Ohio Dairy and Food Commission in 1892 had six cases tried before Thomas C. Dunn.

Was This Him?  --Old B-Runner

CSS Owl-- Part 5: The End of the Confederacy

On this last trip to Wilmington, the Owl was almost captured by a federal cruiser and had to jettison valuable mail as well as sustained 12 casualties.

When Maffitt tried to run into Galveston in May 1865, he grounded on Bird Island Shoals at the entrance to the harbor, within easy cannon range of sixteen blockaders.   Captain James H. MacGarvey, CSN, , of the CSS Diana, just barely got the Owl off in time before the Union ships got the range and Maffitt got into the port.

He later also successfully ran out of it.

There is some evidence that during the Owl's last  two runs through the blockade that it was doing so under the name of Foam.

With the end of the war and no more ports to run into, Maffitt took the Owl/Foam to Liverpool and delivered it to the firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Company and deciding to stay in England, Maffitt took the British Board of Trade examinations and  commanded British ships going between that island and South America.

--Old B-Runner

USS Bermuda-- Part 2: As A Blockade Runner

The Bermuda was an iron-hulled steamer built in 1861 in England to make money on the huge profits that could be made running the blockade.  It was eventually sold to Messrs.  A.S. Henckle and George Alfred Trenholme of Charleston, S.C..

It was chartered to Frasier Trenholme & Co. in England, which served the Confederate government as uts financial and commercial agent there.

The Bermuda left England in August 1861.  It crossed the Atlantic under British colors and ran into Savannah, Georgia, with a million dollars worth of war material.  She loaded 2,000 bales of cotton on board when she left and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England.

--Old B-Runner

Blockade Runner Owl and John Maffitt Arrive in Liverpool-- Part 1: "This Is the Last Time We Meet As Sailors of the Confederate States Navy"

Due to an impending trip, I'll be going ahead with the Civil War Naval Chronology (which is where I am getting these day-to-day events) to the end of the month.  The book is way too big to bring along and plus I am never sure if I'll have internet access.

JULY 14TH, 1865:  Blockade runner Owl, Commander John Newland Maffitt, steamed up the Mersey River and came to anchor in Liverpool harbor.  He had brought the  ship from Nassau through a Union Navy that had been alerted by Secretary Welles to exert all efforts to capture him.

The following day, Maffitt had his boatswain pipe all hands aft where he appeared in immaculate uniform and addressed the crew: "This is the last time we meet as sailors  of the Confederate States Navy....  The Confederacy is dead.  Our country is in the hands of the enemy, and we must accept the verdict....  I am grateful to you for your loyalty to me and to the South."

He then paid off the crew, spliced one last mainbrace for the Confederacy and then personally struck the colors to there resounding cheers from the crew.  Maffitt turned the Owl over to Fraser, Trenholm and Company and established residence in Liverpool.  After qualifying for a Master's License, he was employed by a shipping company and commanded the merchant steamer Widgeon trading between Liverpool and South American ports.

--Old B-Runner