Fort Randall at Little River Neck-- Part 1

From Coastal Carolina "Fort Randall, Little River Neck, Horry County, South Carolina" by Ben  Burroughs.

The fort is located on the eastern end of Little River Neck on property currently known as Tilgham Point and it is the remains of a  Confederate battery/fort built to protet the Little River Inlet from Union forces during the war.  The Union's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron was very active in this area.

Fort Randall was built for a dual purpose of protecting the village of Little River and the surrounding countryside and to provide safe haven for blockade runners.  As the Union blockade of the major two ports in the area, Wilmington and Charleston, tightened, blockade runners ran into this place.

Fort Randall was in existence by March 1861 when Captain Thomas West  Daggett, commanding the Waccamaw Light Artillery, tried to lodge his men in Fort Randall and Fort Ward.

Captain Daggett was a native of  Massachusetts who was an engineer who had moved to South Carolina  where he used his skills to build and operate rice mills on the Waccamaw Neck.

--Old B-Runner

Theodore Timby-- Part 2: About Those Revolving Turret Patents

During the 1850s, he urged the revolving battery on  Emperor Napoleon III, but it appears that his innovation was not accepted by anyone until 1861-1862.  Then it was utilized by inventon John Ericsson as a distinctive feature on his first  Monitor.  (Some say it was the ship's most distinctive innovation.)  

After the Monitor proved successful, Timby, then a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts,  was granted two patents on July 8, 1862 (No. 35,846 and No. 35,847), for a revolving battery tower discharging guns by electricity,

In September he received another patent for a revolving battery tower.  Ericsson's associates in the business of building  monitors for the government acquired these patents almost at once and thus silenced  all claims if infringement.

--Old B-Runner

It's All About the USS Monitor in Andover, Mass.-- Part 2

Scheduled presentations:

**  Battle of the Ironclads/Raising the Monitor Q&A by John Quarstein  USS Monitor Center Director Emeritus.

**  USS Monitor--  Technical Aspects by James Worden of North Andover.

**  History of the Steam Frigate USS Merrimack 1855-1861 by Brian Howard NAHS Executive Director.

**  Displays of ship models and portrait of Rear Admiral John L. Worden, USN, provided by the Worden family.

**  Short film of the USS Monitor's 2002 recovery and ongoing restoration efforts.

Wish I was There.  --Old B-R'er

It's All About the USS Monitor in Andover, Massachusetts-- Part 1

From the March 15, 2022, Andover Patch  "Monitor vs. Merrimack--  Local connections to the Battle of the Ironclads, 1862" by Brian Howard.

It will be at the Stevens Center on the Common at 800 Massachusetts Avenue in North Andover, Massachusetts.  Cost just $10.

On March 9, 1862, the Union Navy's USS Monitor clashed with the Confederate ram CSS Virginia  in Hampton Roads, Virginia.  This even marked a major turn in naval warfare and local ties to the event abound here in Andover. 

The North Andover Historical Society will be recognizing the 160th anniversary with historians and descendants of  the USS Monitor's commanding officer, Lt. (later rear admiral)  John L. Worden.

(I'm not sure of North Andover's connection to the USS Moniyor.)

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn, Before the Civil War

From the Maritime History of Massachusetts, 1783-1860" by Samuel Eliot Morrison.

THOMAS C. DUNN

Morrison was talking about the speed of some of the Massachusetts-built ships and in  a footnote had this:

"In 1854, the barque Dragon of Salem, 289 tons, Captain Thomas C. Dunn, built at Newburyport in 1850, made the  the 16,670-mile run from Salem to the Fiji Islands in eighty-five  days; an average  of 8.2 knots for the entire voyage.  Few tramp  steamers to-day could do better."

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From "Salem Vessels and Their Voyages" by George Granville Putnam.

Thomas Dunn commanded the barque Dragon for several voyages including the one that set the speed record.  However, after he left the ship, the next voyage December 23, 1858, under command of Captain  William McFarland, to Zanzibar, the ship ran aground August 31, 1859, on its return voyage to Salem  on Tom Shoal, 40 miles south of Zanzibar.  

It was hauled off by the HMS Clive, but sustained irreparable damage and with its keel broken, she was condemned.

A part of the figurehead, which was the head and neck of a dragon was saved and for years was at the home of the ship's owner, Benjamin A. West.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn, USN: A Brief History

From "Salem Vessels and Their Voyages"    The Barque Dragon.

CAPTAIN THOMAS C. DUNN

Captain Thomas C. Dunn, the new commander of the Dragon, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, the son of Thomas C. and Mary A. (Hutchinson) Dunn, and he died in Appleton, Wisconsin, May 9, 1910, in his 82nd year.

(This would prove that the gravestone in Appleton would have been his.)

He was educated in the public schools, and, when 21 years of age, Benjamin A. West, owner of the barque Pilot, made him master of the vessel and sent him on a voyage to the Feegee Islands  (Fiji), and he next commanded Mr. West's barque Dragon.

In the latter he made the quickest passage between Salem and New Zealand on record, sailing 16,770 miles in 85 days.

He had a wonderful experience while in the Feegee trade, while trading with the South Sea Islanders, as narrated in the letter  of George W, Crossette and printed in this sketch of Captain Dunn.

Captain Dunn continued in the merchant service until nearly the breaking of the Civil War.  He then shipped in the United States Navy, served four years,  and part of the time commanded a gunboat.  To of his commands were the USS Emma and the USS Montgomery.

After the war, he was engaged in business in the South and New York, and three years before his death he went to live with his son Elmer E. Dunn, in Appleton.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn's Naval Sword and Musket

Thomas C. Dunn commanded the USS Montgomery at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.  (He commanded the USS Emma at the First Battle of Fort Fisher.)

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The Marine Room of the Peabody Museum of Salem (Massachusetts) has the naval sword and musket of a Captain, 1863. Thomas C. Dunn.

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From "Gustavus  Vasa Fox of the Union Navy:  A Biography" by Ari  Hoogenbloom.

Sixteen years after Fort Sumter was fired upon, Fox visited South Carolina and determined they had completely changed their secessionist ways in a questionable vote for governor.

He went to Columbia where he called on Thomas C. Dunn, a Republican member of the board and a former  U.S. naval officer, who had distinguished himself  on blockade duty and at Fort Fisher.  

Dunn agreed when Fox urged him and his colleagues to act as  impartial judges in open sessions.

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A reply to a man (Joseph Watson) seeking a letter of recommendation, a Thomas C. Dunn , "late Comd'g officer  U.S. Steamer Montgomery" said he'd be happy to give one.  The letter was from Salem, Massachusetts.

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So, Thomas C. Dunn was connected to Salem, Massachusetts.

--Old B-Runner

So, Who Was This Caleb Cushing the Revenue Cutter Was Named After?-- Part 1

I'd heard of the revenue cutter before, but not the man it was named after.  He also played a role in the Civil War as it turns out.

From Wikipedia.

CALEB CUSHING  (January 17, 1800 to January 2, 1879)

Was an American Democratic politician and diplomat who served in Congress from Massachusetts and was attorney general under President Franklin Pierce.  He was an eager proponent of American territorial and commercial expansion, especially regarding the acquisition of Texas, Oregon and Cuba.

He believed that enlarging the American sphere of influence would would fulfill  "the great destiny reserved for this exemplar American Republic."

He also secured a treaty with China in 1844, which opened  five ports to American trade..  After the Civil War, he secured a treaty with Colombia to give the United States a right-of-way  for a transoceanic across the isthmus of Panama. 

In addition, he also helped obtain a favorable  settlement of the Alabama Claims, and as the ambassador to Spain in the 1870s, helped defuse  the troublesome Virginius Affair.

An Important Man in U.S. History Even If I Didn't Know About Him.  --Old B-Runner

USS Marblehead-- Part 2: A Fight With JEB Stuart's Horse Artillery

The USS Marblehead was built by George W. Jackman, Jr. of Newburyport, Massachusetts.  She was launched October  16, 1861, and commissioned March 8, 1863.  (A little longer than 90-days.)  Lieutenant Commander  Somerville  Nicholson was her first commander.

First assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, the Marblehead took part in operations along the York and Pamunkey rivers in Virginia.  On May 1, 1862, she participated in the shelling of Confederate positions at Yorktown, Virginia, supporting McClellan's Peninsula Campaign against Richmond.

In an unusual engagement, the Marblehead found itself engaged with Confederate cavalry.  The ship was docked in the Pamunkey River and Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart ordered a detachment of his ships to attack it.  Crew members on the ship spotted the effort and a brisk fire opened.

Confederate cavalry artillery commander Major John Pelham unlimbered his guns and opened fire.  The ship got underway, causing a running battle, literally.  Pelham's guns would fire, limber up, dash to a new spot, unlimber and open fire again.  This continued until such time as the Marblehead passed out of range.

--Old B-R'er

June 4, 1864: Gloucester Asks for Fishing Fleet Protection

All of these dates in Civil War naval history are from the "Civil War Naval Chronology 1861-1865" book.

JUNE 4TH, 1864:  The success of the CSS Tacony against shipping off the New England coast the previous year (20-27 June 1863) prompted a committee from Gloucester, Massachusetts, to address a request to Secretary Welles:  "In behalf of the citizens and businessmen of this town interested in the fishing business, to ask your attention to the necessity of some protection for our fishing fleet the coming season...

"It is necessary that a steamer, properly armed, should be detailed for the special service of cruising in the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the close of the fishing season,"

Welles ordered the USS Ticonderoga, Captain Charles Steedman, on this duty.

--Old B-Runner

Bartlett Laffey, USN, Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 1: Born In Ireand

From Wikipedia.

Yesterday, in my Tattooed On Your Soul World War II blog, I wrote about a movie "Destroyer" that will be made about the USS Laffey, a ship that survived a huge kamikaze attack and was given the name "The Ship That Wouldn't Die."

The USS Laffey was named after Bartlett Laffey and a previous destroyer named Laffey that was sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.

1841-March 22, 1901.

An Irish-born U.S. Navy sailor and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Massachusetts on March 17, 1862 and assigned to the stern wheel gunboat USS Marmora.

--Old B-Runner

Herbert E. Valentine-- Part 2: Discharged from Army Oct. 16, 1864

Continued from May 28, 2018.

He did not reenlist at the expiration of his enlistment and was discharged from the Army 16 October 1864.

In civilian life, he married and had a son and a daughter.  The rest of his life was spent in West Somerfield, Massachusetts where he died 17 June 1917.

During that time he was active in veteran organizations and 1896 published "Story of Company F, 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers in the War for the Union 1861-1865."

--Old B-Runner

Herbert E. Valentine-- Part 1: In the 23rd Massachusetts

From Civil War Day By Day, UNC Library.

Herbert E. Valentine was a private in Company F of the 23rd Massachusetts, U.S. Army 1861-1864 which operated in eastern Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.  He enlisted 5 October 1861 at Salem, Massachusetts.  On 18 October he was mustered in at Lynfield, Massachusetts (Camp Edwin M. Stanton).

He served as a clerk and occasionally drew military maps.  His art work appears to be done for personal use.

In January 1864, he was at Getty's Station near Portsmouth.  In May 1864, his regiment sailed up the James River to City Point and took part in the Siege of Petersburg.

--Old B-Runner

Col. Shaw's Sword Found: Commanded the 54th Massachusetts

From the July 13, 2017, CBS News, Boston "Civil War Col. Robert Gould Shaw's long-lost sword found in attic."

He was commanding officer of the Union's first all-black regiment and his sword is now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society.  It was given to them by the descendants of Robert Shaw.

There is a statue honoring Col. Shaw outside the Massachusetts State House.

Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts in the famous 1863 attack on Fort Wagner, guarding Charleston, South Carolina.  He was killed in the attack along with many of his men.  The 54th was made even more famous by the acclaimed film "Glory."  His sword was then stolen by a Confederate soldier.

The sword was recently discovered in a Boston North Shore family attic by Mary Minturn Wood and her brother, descendants of Shaw's sister, Susanna.

When they saw the initials "R.G.S.," they knew they had a historical artifact.  Instead of offering it at auction, they gifted it to the historical society where it will be on display Tuesday.

More Power to Them for Gifting It.  --Old B-Runner

Hen and Chickens Shoal, Massachusetts

The Lightship LV-8 was posted for most of its active career as a lightship at Hen and Chickens Shoal in Massachusetts.

The shoal is located one mile south of Hen and Chickens Reef and two miles off Horseneck Beach about 3.7 miles from Cuttyhunk Lighthouse.

These are near Westport, Massachusetts in the southwest corner of the state's coastline.

Lightship service was discontinued in 1954 after having buoys placed.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 3: Service Assignments

Service Assignments

1860--  Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina.  Arrived at Smithville (at the mouth of the Cape Fear River leading to Wilmington) on May 14, 1860 for use as a relief vessel.  When the state seceded, it was seized by Confederates.  According to this source, it seems that the ship was sunk in the same year, but I think most likely it was sunk at some point during the attacks on Fort fisher in late 1864, early 1865.

It was later raised, repaired and towed north by the tender Iris in 1866.

From 1867 to 1877 it was lightship LV-8 at Hen and Chickens, Massachusetts.

From 1877 to 1879 it was a Relief in Massachusetts.  I'm thinking this to be use as a relief ship.

--Old B-Runner

Some More on the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 1

From America's Lighthouses by Francis Ross Holland.

The Arctic was seized and sunk in the Cape Fear River where it remained until the end of the war.  After the war, it was raised, repaired and refitted for further lightship duty.

In 1867, it was stationed at Hen and Chicks Shoals off Massachusetts for nine years.  It was found to be "old and worn out" and not worth repair and removed from service in 1876.  It was sold at public auction three years later.

--Old B-Runner

Henry S. Stellwagen-- Part 4: The Gerry E. Studds-Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

While looking up Henry Stellwagen on Yahoo! I kept coming across mention of a bank and I thought it was referring to a financial institution and ignored the sites.  I eventually arrived at the conclusion that this was a bank in the water, so checked it out.

From the site.

Fishermen had called the Middle Ground for years, but it took Henry S. Stellwagen, a lieutenant-commander in the USN on loan to the U.S. Coast Survey working from the U.S. Coast Survey steamer Bibb to map the entire length and breadth of the bank from 1854-1856.

The bank is located between Cape Cod and Cape Ann in Massachusetts.

--Old B-Runner

The Satacona Grounded at Nantucket This Date 150 Years Ago

From the June 6, 2015, Yesterday's Island, Today's Nantucket "Civil War Shipwreck" by Amy Geness.

This article certainly cost me some interesting time researching the story further.

Today marks the 150th anniversary, June 10, 1865, of the grounding of the SS Satacona in thick fog near the head of Hither Creek, Nantucket Island.  It was carrying returning Union soldiers.

This got me very interested.  I just recently came across the sinking and deaths of nearly 500 aboard the SS General Lyon, also carrying returning Union soldiers.  This was another shipwreck that I had not known.  And, of course, there was also the much better known Sultana Disaster.

Then, the story got better, because it said that for some of these soldiers, this was their second shipwreck in two days.  Their troopship, the Admiral DuPont had collided with the Satacona and sunk off Cape May, New Jersey on June 8th.

The article continued saying that the soldiers marched through town after the grounding and boarded a steamship preparing to go to the mainland.  Citizens scrambled to provide food and clothing to the troops.

This is a Story That Needs Further Research.  --Old B-Runner

Jine the Navy, See the World, Make Money-- Part 3

CHANCES FOR WARRANTS, BOUNTIES AND MEDALS OF HONOR-- All those who distinguish themselves in battle or by extraordinary heroism, may be promoted to forward Warrant Officer or Acting Master's Mates-- and upon their promotion receive a guaranty of $100, with a medal of honor from their country.

All who wish may leave HALF PAY with their families, to commence from date of enlistment.

Minors must have a written consent, sworn to before a Justice of the Peace.

For further information apply to U.S. Navy Rendezvous, E.Y. BUTLER, U.S.N. Recruiting Officer, No. 14 FRONT STREET, SALEM, MASS.

And, Even Benefits Beyond the Grog Money. ---Old B-Runner