APRIL 3RD, 1862: Armed boats from the USS Mercedita, Commander Stellwagen, and USS Sagamore, Lt. Andrew J. Drake, captured Apalachicola, Florida, without resistance and took pilot boats Cygnet and Mary Olivia, schooners New Island, Floyd and Rose and sloop Octavia.
--Old B-Runner
Showing posts with label USS Mercedita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Mercedita. Show all posts
Monday, April 3, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
155 Years Ago, January 24, 1862: Anothe Runner Captured
JANUARY 24, 1862: The USS Mercedita, Commander Stellwagen, and other ships of the Gulf Blockading Squadron, chased aground schooner Julia and an unidentified bark attempting to run the blockade at the mouth of the Mississippi River; both were laden with cotton and were burned to prevent capture.
--Old B-R'er
--Old B-R'er
Friday, August 21, 2015
Alexander Thomas Doig of the USS Mercedita-- Part 2: Damage From the CSS Palmetto State Attack
Alexander Doig joined the U.S. Navy 25 November 1861 as an acting first engineer and served for 36 months. he served on the USS Mercedita in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
His report after the battle damage suffered by his ship in its fight with the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Palmetto State on January 31, 1863:
"USS Mercedita, Port Royal harbor, January 31, 1863
Sir: I respectfully beg leave to report the damage done to the boilers and machinery during the action this morning and the present condition of same.
"The enemy's shell penetrated the engine room bulkhead on the starboard side about 5 feet abaft the stern chimney, striking the port one and carrying away at least four feet of the outer shell.
"The steam immediately escaped from the boilers and filled the engine and fire rooms, thereby leaving the machinery in useless condition."
After an examination of it, he found that he could raise some steam and the ship could move under its own power which was when it was decided to take it to Port Royal for temporary repairs.
Doig resigned from the Navy on 6 June 1863.
--Old B-R'er
His report after the battle damage suffered by his ship in its fight with the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Palmetto State on January 31, 1863:
"USS Mercedita, Port Royal harbor, January 31, 1863
Sir: I respectfully beg leave to report the damage done to the boilers and machinery during the action this morning and the present condition of same.
"The enemy's shell penetrated the engine room bulkhead on the starboard side about 5 feet abaft the stern chimney, striking the port one and carrying away at least four feet of the outer shell.
"The steam immediately escaped from the boilers and filled the engine and fire rooms, thereby leaving the machinery in useless condition."
After an examination of it, he found that he could raise some steam and the ship could move under its own power which was when it was decided to take it to Port Royal for temporary repairs.
Doig resigned from the Navy on 6 June 1863.
--Old B-R'er
Alexander Thomas Doig of the USS Mercedita-- Part 1: From Scotland
From the Descendants of Robert Doig of Scotland site.
He was engineer on the USS Mercedita in its battle with the CSS Palmetto State in 1863 which I wrote about recently. The ship was commanded by Henry Stellwagen.
ALEXANDER THOMAS DOIG was born 4 December 1821 in Of Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Died 16 April 1869 at 406 Hicks Street in Brooklyn, New York and buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
In 1841, he was an engineer living on Milton Street in West Derby. In 1844, he was living in Montreal and then emigrated to New York state about 1846.
The June 29, 861, issue of "Scientific American" mentions an A. Doig, an engineer, who developed a new refrigerated journal (bearing) box for steamship application.. The signature on the patent confirms it was Alexander Doig.
--Old B-Runner
He was engineer on the USS Mercedita in its battle with the CSS Palmetto State in 1863 which I wrote about recently. The ship was commanded by Henry Stellwagen.
ALEXANDER THOMAS DOIG was born 4 December 1821 in Of Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Died 16 April 1869 at 406 Hicks Street in Brooklyn, New York and buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
In 1841, he was an engineer living on Milton Street in West Derby. In 1844, he was living in Montreal and then emigrated to New York state about 1846.
The June 29, 861, issue of "Scientific American" mentions an A. Doig, an engineer, who developed a new refrigerated journal (bearing) box for steamship application.. The signature on the patent confirms it was Alexander Doig.
--Old B-Runner
Monday, August 17, 2015
Henry S. Stellwagen, USN-- Part 2: Served in the Mediterranean Also
On April 27, 1862, the Mercedita, under Henry Stellwagen's command, captured the blockade-runner Bermuda.
On Jan. 31, 1863, Stellwagen was in command of the USS Merceidta when it was attacked by the Confederate ironclad CSS Palmetto State. He surrendered the ship, but then took it out of action to a Union base.
After that he commanded the old sailing frigate/sloop USS Constellation on duty in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 1864, it was detached from the Mediterranean Station and ordered to report to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron under Admiral Farragut.
During his duty there, he received a sword from Britain for his service on the USS Constellation for its actions saving the British brig Mersey.
From February 23-25, he commanded a squadron from Charleston in his USS Pawnee which was sent out to capture and occupy Georgetown, S.C..
--Old B-Runner
On Jan. 31, 1863, Stellwagen was in command of the USS Merceidta when it was attacked by the Confederate ironclad CSS Palmetto State. He surrendered the ship, but then took it out of action to a Union base.
After that he commanded the old sailing frigate/sloop USS Constellation on duty in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 1864, it was detached from the Mediterranean Station and ordered to report to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron under Admiral Farragut.
During his duty there, he received a sword from Britain for his service on the USS Constellation for its actions saving the British brig Mersey.
From February 23-25, he commanded a squadron from Charleston in his USS Pawnee which was sent out to capture and occupy Georgetown, S.C..
--Old B-Runner
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Henry S. Stellwagen, USN-- Part 1: Surrendered to CSS Palmetto State
I recently wrote about the USS Mercedita which was dispatched to the Dominican Republic at the end of the war to protect American lives and interests. This ship was originally commanded by Henry S. Stellwagen, a name I have come across on occasion.
However, there is no entry for him on Wikipedia, so I did some of my own research. I did not find a lot.
Henry Stellwagen died shortly after the end of the war, on July 5, 1866 and is buried at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania. After the Mercedita, he commanded the USS Constellation (as of Jan. 1, 1864)and USS Pawnee.
He was in command of the USS Mercedita when the CSS Palmetto State attacked it in 1863 in Charleston harbor. Although he surrendered, the Confederate ship did not place a prize crew on board and Stellwagen had the ship leave and go to a Union base for repairs.
On September 24, he married Mary Anne Cook of Philadelphia in Philadelphia.at some point, but i couldn't find the date.
--Old B-R'er
However, there is no entry for him on Wikipedia, so I did some of my own research. I did not find a lot.
Henry Stellwagen died shortly after the end of the war, on July 5, 1866 and is buried at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania. After the Mercedita, he commanded the USS Constellation (as of Jan. 1, 1864)and USS Pawnee.
He was in command of the USS Mercedita when the CSS Palmetto State attacked it in 1863 in Charleston harbor. Although he surrendered, the Confederate ship did not place a prize crew on board and Stellwagen had the ship leave and go to a Union base for repairs.
On September 24, he married Mary Anne Cook of Philadelphia in Philadelphia.at some point, but i couldn't find the date.
--Old B-R'er
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
USS Mercedita-- Part 3: To the Dominican Republic
In April 1864, the Mercedita was attached to the West Indies Squadron to escort California steamers from New York to Aspinwall, Panama. Later in the year it joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and operated out of Beaufort, N.C.. It did not take part in the attacks on Fort Fisher.
It then joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron in March 1865. In May it joined the search for the Susquehanna.
With the war over, the U.S. Navy resumed its duties of protecting American lives and property, The Mercedita was sent to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 11 August and found the country unsettled (as I wrote about last week) But there was no sign of a Spanish warship in the vicinity as reported, so departed on 14 August.
It was decommissioned 14 October 1865 and sold at auction in New York 25 October and redocumented for merchant service on 9 November.
On 16 June 1879, it was converted in a brigantine.
--Old B-R'er
It then joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron in March 1865. In May it joined the search for the Susquehanna.
With the war over, the U.S. Navy resumed its duties of protecting American lives and property, The Mercedita was sent to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 11 August and found the country unsettled (as I wrote about last week) But there was no sign of a Spanish warship in the vicinity as reported, so departed on 14 August.
It was decommissioned 14 October 1865 and sold at auction in New York 25 October and redocumented for merchant service on 9 November.
On 16 June 1879, it was converted in a brigantine.
--Old B-R'er
USS Mercedita-- Part 2: Attacked by the CSS Palmetto State
It captured three more blockade-runners during April and July.
In September 1862, it was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and arrived off Charleston, S.C., on the 19th and stayed there until the end of January 1863.
The night of January 31, 1863, the Mercedita was at her station off Charleston when the CSS Palmetto State and CSS Chicora, Confederate ironclads, attacked, hoping to recapture the blockade-runner Princess Royal which had been captured two days earlier. It had been carrying engines for new Confederate ironclads.
The Mercedita was attacked by the Palmetto State which rammed her, ripping a hole in the keel, piercing the boiler and putting the ship in sinking condition. The Palmetto State challenged the Union ship saying, "Surrender or I'll sink you!" Unable to move or bring its guns to bear, the Mercedita had no other option buy to surrender.
The Confederates, anxious to engage other Union ships in the surprise attack, accepted the paroles of the Mercedita's crew, and, without putting a prize crew aboard, sped off the engage the USS Keystone State and Quaker City.
The crew of the Mercedita made temporary repairs and, contrary to their surrender, limped away to the Union base at Port Royal where more repairs were made and from there to Philadelphia for a complete overhaul.
The Confederates were incensed about the incident.
Once You Surrender, No Take Backs. --Old B-Runner
In September 1862, it was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and arrived off Charleston, S.C., on the 19th and stayed there until the end of January 1863.
The night of January 31, 1863, the Mercedita was at her station off Charleston when the CSS Palmetto State and CSS Chicora, Confederate ironclads, attacked, hoping to recapture the blockade-runner Princess Royal which had been captured two days earlier. It had been carrying engines for new Confederate ironclads.
The Mercedita was attacked by the Palmetto State which rammed her, ripping a hole in the keel, piercing the boiler and putting the ship in sinking condition. The Palmetto State challenged the Union ship saying, "Surrender or I'll sink you!" Unable to move or bring its guns to bear, the Mercedita had no other option buy to surrender.
The Confederates, anxious to engage other Union ships in the surprise attack, accepted the paroles of the Mercedita's crew, and, without putting a prize crew aboard, sped off the engage the USS Keystone State and Quaker City.
The crew of the Mercedita made temporary repairs and, contrary to their surrender, limped away to the Union base at Port Royal where more repairs were made and from there to Philadelphia for a complete overhaul.
The Confederates were incensed about the incident.
Once You Surrender, No Take Backs. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
USS Mercedita-- Part 1: Captured Apalachicola
Last week, I mentioned that this ship was sent to the Dominican Republic back in August 1865, to preserve American lives and interests as the Navy returned to its prewar duty.
From Wikipedia.
It was launched and commissioned in 1861. Screw steamer (gunboat) 183 feet in length, 30.3 feet beam, 1,000 tons and carried eight 12-pdr. guns. Built in Brooklyn and purchased by the U.S. Navy with Commander Henry S. Stellwagen as first commander.
Assigned to the Gulf Blockading Squadron on 3 January 1862 and destroyed two blockade-runners. In March it was sent to relieve the USS Marion at the West Pass of the Apalachicola River. It destroyed Confederate batteries at St. Vincent island on 21 March and it and the USS Sagemore captured Apalachicola on April 3rd.
--Old B-R'er
From Wikipedia.
It was launched and commissioned in 1861. Screw steamer (gunboat) 183 feet in length, 30.3 feet beam, 1,000 tons and carried eight 12-pdr. guns. Built in Brooklyn and purchased by the U.S. Navy with Commander Henry S. Stellwagen as first commander.
Assigned to the Gulf Blockading Squadron on 3 January 1862 and destroyed two blockade-runners. In March it was sent to relieve the USS Marion at the West Pass of the Apalachicola River. It destroyed Confederate batteries at St. Vincent island on 21 March and it and the USS Sagemore captured Apalachicola on April 3rd.
--Old B-R'er
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
A Really Short History of the Dominican Republic-- Part 1
Back on Monday, August 3, I mentioned that the USS Mercedita was sent to the Dominican Republic to protect American lives and property during some turmoil taking place there. This was a sure sign that the Civil War was over and the U.S. Navy was back to its pre-war mission.
From Wikipedia.
The Dominican Republic was a former Spanish colony from 1492 (Christopher Columbus) to 1795. the french encroached on it from 1795 to 1809 and it became independent from 1844 to 1861 when it became a Spanish colony again. from 1861-1865. This would go against the Monroe Doctrine, but the United States was very much involved in other things at the time.
A revolution took place and the Spanish withdrew.
This was the reason the USS Mercedita was sent to its waters.
--Old B-Runner
From Wikipedia.
The Dominican Republic was a former Spanish colony from 1492 (Christopher Columbus) to 1795. the french encroached on it from 1795 to 1809 and it became independent from 1844 to 1861 when it became a Spanish colony again. from 1861-1865. This would go against the Monroe Doctrine, but the United States was very much involved in other things at the time.
A revolution took place and the Spanish withdrew.
This was the reason the USS Mercedita was sent to its waters.
--Old B-Runner
Monday, August 3, 2015
USS Mercedita to Dominican Republic to Protect Lives and Property
AUGUST 3, 1865: At the request of the United States agent in Santo Domingo, rear Admiral Thatcher sent the USS Mercedita, Lt.Cmdr. Milton Haxtun, to the Dominican Republic with orders "to take all necessary steps to protect the lives and property of American citizens" in Santo Domingo.
Now that the war was over, the Navy resumed its peacetime duty of protecting American citizens and property throughout the world.
--Old B-Runer
Now that the war was over, the Navy resumed its peacetime duty of protecting American citizens and property throughout the world.
--Old B-Runer
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
USS Mercedita-- Part 2
And, I bet you never heard of this ship. I know a lot about the Civil War naval history, but hadn't heard of this ship.
Ot captured the blockade-runner Bermuda on April 27 and two schooners on July 12, 1862.
In September, the ship was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and stationed off Charleston. On January 31, 1863, it was attacked by the Confederate ironclads Chicora and Palmetto State who were trying to recapture the blockade-runner Princess Royal which had two powerful and much-needed steam engines intended for Confederate ironclads. (Lack of power was always a problem in these rams.)
The rams encountered the Mercedita and rammed the ship causing it to start sinking and the ship surrendered and paroles from the crew accepted. At that, the two ironclads sped away to attack other Union ships.
Temporary repairs were made on the Mercedita and the ship went to Port Royal, South Carolina for temporary repairs and then to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to complete them.
I did not read whether the crew honored their paroles or went immediately back into Navy service.
The ship was then attached to the West Indies Squadron to escort California steamers and then , later in the spring, joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and in March to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. It was decommissioned October 1865 and sold at auction and became a merchant ship.
Quite a Varied Service for This Ship. --Old B-Runner
Ot captured the blockade-runner Bermuda on April 27 and two schooners on July 12, 1862.
In September, the ship was transferred to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and stationed off Charleston. On January 31, 1863, it was attacked by the Confederate ironclads Chicora and Palmetto State who were trying to recapture the blockade-runner Princess Royal which had two powerful and much-needed steam engines intended for Confederate ironclads. (Lack of power was always a problem in these rams.)
The rams encountered the Mercedita and rammed the ship causing it to start sinking and the ship surrendered and paroles from the crew accepted. At that, the two ironclads sped away to attack other Union ships.
Temporary repairs were made on the Mercedita and the ship went to Port Royal, South Carolina for temporary repairs and then to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to complete them.
I did not read whether the crew honored their paroles or went immediately back into Navy service.
The ship was then attached to the West Indies Squadron to escort California steamers and then , later in the spring, joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and in March to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. It was decommissioned October 1865 and sold at auction and became a merchant ship.
Quite a Varied Service for This Ship. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
USS Mercedita-- Part 1
Good Ol' Wiki.
Back on Jan 31st, I wrote about the two Confederate ironclads, the Palmetto State and Chicora attacking the Union blockading fleet off Charleston, SC. One f the ships I mentioned was the USS Mercidita.
The USS Mercidita was a wooden steamer built in Brooklyn, NY, in 1861, purchased by the US Navy July 1, 1861, and commissioned Dec.1861.
It was 1000 tons, 183.6 feet long and mounted eight 32-pdr. guns.
It was assigned to the Gulf Blockade Squadron on January 1862 and chased two blockade-runners ashore on Jan. 4th. In March, it took up position off Apalachicola, Florida, and destroyed Confederate batteries at St. Vincent Island which was four barrier islands. Later, it captured St. George Island and Dog Island.
We stayed on St. George Island back in January.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
Back on Jan 31st, I wrote about the two Confederate ironclads, the Palmetto State and Chicora attacking the Union blockading fleet off Charleston, SC. One f the ships I mentioned was the USS Mercidita.
The USS Mercidita was a wooden steamer built in Brooklyn, NY, in 1861, purchased by the US Navy July 1, 1861, and commissioned Dec.1861.
It was 1000 tons, 183.6 feet long and mounted eight 32-pdr. guns.
It was assigned to the Gulf Blockade Squadron on January 1862 and chased two blockade-runners ashore on Jan. 4th. In March, it took up position off Apalachicola, Florida, and destroyed Confederate batteries at St. Vincent Island which was four barrier islands. Later, it captured St. George Island and Dog Island.
We stayed on St. George Island back in January.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: January 31, 1863-- Confederate Ironclads Attack at Charleston
JANUARY 31ST
Rams CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State at Charleston, SC, attack Union blockading fleet on a foggy morning. The Palmetto State rammed the USS Mercedita and fired into her, causing the ship to surrender in a "sinking and perfectly defenseless condition."
The Chicora engaged and crippled the USS Keystone State suffering 20 killed and 20 wounded The USS Memphis took it under tow in a sinking condition. The USS Quaker City was damaged by a shell exploded in the engine room.
The USS Housatonic engaged the two rams before they withdrew.
Confederate General Beauregard claimed that the blockade had been broken.
US Major General Wright wrote Commander Pennock at Cairo request that an ironclad be stationed on the Cumberland River to keep that waterway open between its mouth and Nashville. The ironclad would be able to stand up against the field artillery that Confederates were forever putting along the banks.
A Confederate Success at Charleston. --Old B-Runner
Rams CSS Chicora and CSS Palmetto State at Charleston, SC, attack Union blockading fleet on a foggy morning. The Palmetto State rammed the USS Mercedita and fired into her, causing the ship to surrender in a "sinking and perfectly defenseless condition."
The Chicora engaged and crippled the USS Keystone State suffering 20 killed and 20 wounded The USS Memphis took it under tow in a sinking condition. The USS Quaker City was damaged by a shell exploded in the engine room.
The USS Housatonic engaged the two rams before they withdrew.
Confederate General Beauregard claimed that the blockade had been broken.
US Major General Wright wrote Commander Pennock at Cairo request that an ironclad be stationed on the Cumberland River to keep that waterway open between its mouth and Nashville. The ironclad would be able to stand up against the field artillery that Confederates were forever putting along the banks.
A Confederate Success at Charleston. --Old B-Runner
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