Action at Rainbow Bluff, N.C.-- Part 2

As many as 40 torpedoes were found in some bends of the river.  Union troops intending to operate with the gunboats weer delayed.

By the time they were ready to advance on Rainbow Bluff, the Confederate garrison there had been strongly reinforced.

Torpedoes in the river, batteries along the banks below that point, and the difficulty of navigating the river forced the abandonment of the operation.  The wrecks of the Ostego and Bazely were destroyed to prevent their falling into Confederate hands on December 25th.  The expedition got back to Plymouth three days later.

--Old B-Runner

USS Ostego Sunk by Torpedoes in the Roanoke River, N.C.

DECEMBER 9TH, 1864:  The USS Ostego sank in the Roanoke River near Jamesville, North Carolina, after striking two torpedoes in quick succession.  The double-ended Ostego, along with the USS Wyalusing, Valley City and tugs Belle and Bazely had formed an expedition to capture Rainbow Bluff on the Roanoke River, and to investigate the Confederate ram reported to be building at Halifax.

Commander Macomb anchored his squadron at Jamesville to await the arrival of cooperating Union troops and the Ostego struck two torpedoes while anchoring.

The Bazely came alongside to lend assistance and also struck a torpedo and sank instantly.

Lt. Cmdr. Arnold and part of his crew remained on board the sunken Ostego to cover that portion of the river with the guns remaining above water on the hurricane deck.

The resrt of the group moved upriver, dragging for torpedoes, to commence their attack on Rainbow Bluff which took place December 20th.

--Old B-R'er

Reconnaissance Up the Roanoke River in N.C

NOVEMBER 17TH, 1864:  Now that the CSS Albemarle was no longer a threat and Plymouth under Union control, upper Roanoke River became a Union consideration.    On this date the USS Ostego and Ceres ascended the river to Jamesville, N.C. on a reconnaissance.

The smaller Ceres continued upriver to Williamston.  Although Confederates had been reported to be in the area, no batteries or troops were encountered.

--Old B-R'er

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Fall of Plymouth, N.C.-- Part 1

OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 1, 1864  Capitalizing on Lt. Cushing's success destroying the CSS Albemarle, Commander Macomb moved against Plymouth, North Carolina, capturing the town and defenses after a heated engagement.

Immediately after Cushing's return on 29 October, Macomb steamed up the Roanoke River with six ships.  The USS Valley City proceeded via Middle River and entered the Roanoke above Plymouth to cut off the garrison's escape by water.  Macomb's gunboats engaged the lower batteries protecting the town, but seeing that two schooners had been sunk by the sunken USS Southfield, obstructing the river, withdrew to Albemarle Sound.

On the 30th, Macomb took his fleet through the Middle River to attack the city and its defenses from above, spending the entire day navigating the treacherous channels and shelling the Confederate works at long range.  On 31 October, Macomb formed his line of battle, with converted ferryboat USS Commodore Hull in the lead, followedby the sidewheel double-enders USS Tacony, USS Shamrock, USS Ostego and USS Wyalusing.

--Old B-Runner