USS Nightingale-- Part 7: Service in the East Coast Blockading Squadron and Pensacola

The Nightingale was with the  USS Preble, USS Richmond, USS Vincennes and USS Water Witch in the Mississippi River near the Head of Passes when the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Manassas, accompanied by the Confederate steamers CSS Ivy and CSS James L. Day attacked on 12 October.

During the action, she was run aground, but the Southern ships did not press their advantage.  The Nightingale was refloated a few days later and sailed to New York with prisoners  o war and booty.

The Nightingale returned to the Gulf in the same year with a cargo of coal and supplies for the Union blockaders.

During most of 1862, she served the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, operating out of Key West. Early in 1863, she became an ordnance ship at Pensacola, Florida,  and continued this duty until returning to Boston, Massachusetts, on 9 June 1864

The Nightingale was decommissioned on 20 June 1864 at Boston Navy Yard and sold at public auction to D.E. Mayo on 11 February 1865.

Her Warship Days Were At An End.  --Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, October 12, 1861-- Part 2: Confederate Attack on Mississippi River

Acting Master Edward F. Devens of the USS Vincennes observed:  "From the appearance of the Richmond's side in the vicinity of the hole, I should say that the ram had claws or hooks attached to her... for the purpose of tearing out the plank from the ship's side..  It is the most destructive invention...  Manassas resembles in shape, a cigar cut lengthwise, and very low in the water.

"She must be covered with railroad iron as all shells which struck her glanced off, some directly at right angles.  You could hear the shot strike quite plainly.  They did not appear to trouble her much as she ran up the river at a very fast rate."

Go Manassas.  --Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago, October 12, 1861-- Part 1: Confederates Attack At Head iof Passes, Mississippi River

OCTOBER 12TH, 1861:  Confederate metal-sheathed ram Manassas, Commodore Hollins, CSN, in company with the armed steamer Ivy and James L. Day, attacked the USS Richmond, Vincennes, Water Witch, Nightingale and Preble near the Head of Passes on the Mississippi River.

In this offensive and spirited action by the small Confederate force, the Manassas rammed the Richmond and forced her and the Vincennes aground under heavy fire before withdrawing.

--Old B-Runner

155 Years Ago, October 9, 1861: Css Ivy Engages Union Fleet at Head of Passes on Mississippi River

OCTOBER 9TH, 1861:  Confederate steamer Ivy, Lt. Joseph Fry, attacked U.S. blockading vessels at Head of Passes, Mississippi River; no damage caused but long range of the Ivy's guns alarmed Union naval officers.

--Old B'R'er