JUNE 9TH, 1865: Secretary Welles ordered that the East Gulf and West Gulf squadrons be combined and redesignated as the Gulf Squadron. He directed Rear Admiral H.K. Thatcher to relieve Rear Admiral C.K. Stribling and assume command of the new squadron with headquarters at Pensacola.
Welles also directed the North and South Atlantic squadrons be combined and redesignated the Atlantic Squadron. At the same time he ordered Rear Admiral Dahlgren to return to Washington and Rear Admiral William Radford to assume command of the new squadron.
Dahlgren recorded in his diary under the date 17 June: "And so ends a command of two years of one of the largest fleets ever assembled under American colors-- as many as 96 at one time."
--Old B-Runner
Showing posts with label Post War Naval Reduction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Post War Naval Reduction. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Reduction of the Mississippi Squadron
JUNE 2ND, 1865: Assistant secretary of the Navy Fox ordered the Mississippi squadron reduced to 15 ships "with all possible dispatch." In his letter to rear Admiral S.P. Lee of the Mississippi Squadron, Fox concluded: "Economize in the use of coal and give directions to all vessels to keep steam down, except in an emergency...."
With the war completed, a number of similar steps were taken to cut expenditures to a minimum and reduce drastically what had become during the years of conflict the strongest Navy afloat.
--Old B-R'er
With the war completed, a number of similar steps were taken to cut expenditures to a minimum and reduce drastically what had become during the years of conflict the strongest Navy afloat.
--Old B-R'er
Saturday, May 30, 2015
No More East Gulf Blockading Squadron or South Atlantic Blockading Squadrons: Reduction in Ships As Well
MAY 31ST, 1865: Assistant Secretary Fox ordered a reduction in the East Gulf Blockading Squadron to ten steamers and four tug boats. The same order redesignated the squadron's name to East Gulf Squadron.
The South Atlantic Blockading Squadron was reduced to 15 steamers and 6 tug boats and redesignated the South Atlantic Squadron.
The West Gulf squadron was reduced to 15 steamers, one monitor, one river ironclad and 6 tugs.
After All, No More Blockading to Be Dome or Confederate Ships to Worry About (Well, Other Than the CSS Shenandoah). --Old B-Runner
The South Atlantic Blockading Squadron was reduced to 15 steamers and 6 tug boats and redesignated the South Atlantic Squadron.
The West Gulf squadron was reduced to 15 steamers, one monitor, one river ironclad and 6 tugs.
After All, No More Blockading to Be Dome or Confederate Ships to Worry About (Well, Other Than the CSS Shenandoah). --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Reducing the Union Navy-- Part 2
FEBRUARY 24TH, 1865: Secretary Welles similarly instructed Rear Admiral Dahlgren to send north vessels under him that were no longer required, especially the least efficient.
"The Department is of opinion that the fall of Fort Fisher and Charleston will enable it to reduce the expenses of maintenance of the Navy."
Even as the Union would begin to cut back its huge fleet, the effect of Northern sea power was felt more and more acutely in General Lee's army. With its last access to the sea, Wilmington, now controlled by the North, the shortage of essential supplies--including shoes, artillery, blankets, lead, medicines, and even food for men and horses-- became increasingly more desperate..
By now, much of Lee's famed cavalry, for want of horses, had become infantry.
--Old B-Runner
"The Department is of opinion that the fall of Fort Fisher and Charleston will enable it to reduce the expenses of maintenance of the Navy."
Even as the Union would begin to cut back its huge fleet, the effect of Northern sea power was felt more and more acutely in General Lee's army. With its last access to the sea, Wilmington, now controlled by the North, the shortage of essential supplies--including shoes, artillery, blankets, lead, medicines, and even food for men and horses-- became increasingly more desperate..
By now, much of Lee's famed cavalry, for want of horses, had become infantry.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Reducing the Union Navy-- Part 2
FEBRUARY 24TH, 1865: The intention of the Navy Department to reduce the size of the Navy as the end of hostilities approached was indicated in Secretary Welles' instruction to Rear Admiral Thatcher, commanding the West Gulf Blockading squadron to "send North such purchased vessels as appear by surveys to require very extensive repairs...and all those no longer required.
"These will probably be sold or laid up. You will also send home any stores that are not required. Further requisition must be carefully examined before approval, and the commanders of squadrons are expected to use every possible exertion and care to reduce the expense of that squadron."
Getting ready for the Peace-Time Navy. --Old B-Runner
"These will probably be sold or laid up. You will also send home any stores that are not required. Further requisition must be carefully examined before approval, and the commanders of squadrons are expected to use every possible exertion and care to reduce the expense of that squadron."
Getting ready for the Peace-Time Navy. --Old B-Runner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)