USS Merrimack

Today, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table will be hearing a presentation from Dave Noe on the USS Merrimack, the ship that became the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia.

Here are some facts about the USS Merrimack:

From Wikipedia.

The USS Merrimack is also sometimes called the USS Merramac and was a steam frigate (powered by a screw propreller).  One of six ordered in 1854.  The others were the  Wabash, Roanoke,  Niagara,  Minnesota and Colorado. (The Minnesota, Colorado and Wabash were at Fort Fisher.)   The Roanoke became an ironclad herself featuring three turrets.  The Niagara spent most of the Civil War in Europe.

The Merrimack was named after a river that starts in New Hampshire and flows to Merrimac, Massachusetts, on the Atlantic Ocean which causes the confusion in spelling.

It was launched by the Boston Navy Yard 15 June 1855. Commander was Captain  Garrett J. Pendergrast.

--Old B-Runner

Thomas C. Dunn & USS Emma First Battle Fort Fisher-- Part 4: Loss of Ship's Cutter

DECEMBER 26, 1864

At 4 p.m. the Emma was drifting with the fleet.

Acting Master's Mate Morris returned with the boat crew of the second cutter from the USS Wabash and reported the loss of that cutter while in his charge.  He reported that while returning from the USS Santiago de Cuba to the Emma after assisting in landing the troops on the night of the 25th with stormy conditions that he was run into by a launch.

He was able to get to the Wabash and stayed on board for the night.  In the morning, the cutter was found to be swamped and efforts were made to lift her part way out of the water in order to bail her out at which time she broke in half and drifted out to sea.

At 5:40 p.m., in obedience to orders, steamed in toward the beach for the purpose of reembarking the troops.  At 7:50 commenced firing from  No. 2 starboard gun and No. 2 pivot.  At 10, ceased firing.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Painting Featured in Summer Civil War Monitor magazine

From the Summer 2019 issue of The Civil War Monitor  "Salvo:  Facts, Figures & Items of Interest."

And, the painting is featured on a two-page spread and you get to see how big of a fortification Fort Fisher was and the huge size of the Union fleet attacking it.  You see the three single turret monitors and the double turret one in close and the lines of Union ships, including the biggies like the Minnesota and Wabash.  I had to look hard and finally found the New Ironsides in the big ship line second from the right.

"In this lithograph by T.F. Laycock, a fleet of U.S. vessels under the command of Rear Admiral David D. Porter bombards Fort Fisher on the North Carolina shore in mid-January 1865.  A subsequent land attack by Union troops forced the fort's surrender, opening the way for the capture of the port city of Wilmington.  For more on Wilmington, turn the page."

Then there is a four page spread on what to see and do in Wilmington including can't miss sites, best kept secret, best family activity, best Civil War spot, best eats, best sleep and best book.

Obviously, I will be writing about this article this next week.  Liz and I were just at nearby Carolina Beach, home of Britt's Donuts, on Monday and Tuesday, July 15 and 16.

If you hurry up you can still purchase a copy at your local news stand.

Carolina Beach, My Favorite Beach.  --Old B-Runner

Was Abner Read On the Monongahela or New London When He Was Mortally Wounded?

As I mentioned in the last two posts, there is some question as to which of these two ships Abner Read was on when he was mortally wounded, plus, the Wikipedia article on him has him dying the following day after the wound, July 8, 1863.

The Find-A-Grave site has his dying on July 12, 1863.  Also, he was commanding the USS New London at the time of his death.A page listing Union naval officer deaths accompanying the Find-A-Grave site has Abner Read dying on July 12, 1863 and having been on the USS Monongahela.

The Together We Served site on Melancton Smith has him commanding the USS Monongahela 1862-1863.  (He also commanded the frigate USS Wabash at both Battles of Fort Fisher.)

The USS Monongahela Wikipedia article has that ship, accompanied by the USS New London involved in the July 7, 1863 battle 12 miles below Donaldsonville, Louisiana, in which the Monongahela's new commander, Abner Read, was killed in action.

So, Go Figure.  --Old B-R'er

Army-Navy Cooperation October 1862-- Part 2: Action in Arkansas and South Carolina

OCTOBER 21--  The USS Louisville escorted the steamer Meteor which embarked Army troops at Bledsoe's Landing and Hamblin's Landing, Arkansas.  Both towns were burned in reprisal for Confederate guerrilla attacks on the mail steamer Gladiator on October 19.

OCTOBER 22--  A Naval battery of three 12-pdr. boat howitzers from the USS Wabash supported Union troops at the Battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina.

The Wabash's battery took part in many amphibious operations along the South Atlantic coas--Old B-R'er

155 Years Ago: Other Naval Action

AUGUST 3RD, 1861:  The USS Wabash, Captain Mercer, recaptured the American schooner Mary Alice, which had been taken by the Confederate privateer Dixie, and captured the brig Sarah Starr, a blockade runner, off Charleston.

**  USS South Carolina, Commander Alden, engaged Confederate batteries at Galveston.

--Old B-Runner

Two Union Launches Captured at Charleston Harbor

DECEMBER 31ST, 1864:  Two launches from the USS Wabash and Pawnee ran aground and were captured in Charleston harbor.  While on guard duty, the two launches were driven aground close to Fort Sumter by a strong flood tide and freshening wind..  A total of 27 sailors were captured.

DECEMBER 31ST, 1864: The USS Metacomet, Lt.Cmdr. Jouett, captured schooner Sea Witch southeast of Galveston, Texas, with cargo of coffee and medicine.

--Old B-R'er

150 Years Ago-- April 19th, 1864: Another David Attack at Charleston

APRIL 19TH, 1864: A "David" torpedo boat attempted to sink the steam frigate USS Wabash off Charleston, SC. It was the same one which had attacked the USS Memphis on 6 March. It was sighted while still 150 yards off and the Wabash slopped its cable and rapidly got underway, pouring a hail of musket shot at the Confederate ship. When only 40 yards away, the David turned back because of heavy swells that threatened to swamp the low-lying boat. //// APRIL 19TH, 1864: The USS Virginia captured the Mexican blockade-running schooner Alma off the coast of Texas. //// --Old B-R'er

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: August 5, 1863: A Different Kind of Naval Battle

AUGUST 5TH

The CSS Juno captured a launch from the USS Wabash in Charleston Harbor, SC. The launch was part of a night patrol on guard duty.

The launch had gone to investigate reports of a Confederate steamer coming out of the harbor. Acting Master Edward Haines reported: "Soon after getting underway I made out a steamer standing down the channel close to Morris Island." He opened fire on it with the launch's howitzer.

The Juno was reconnoitering the harbor with a 65-pound torpedo attached to its bow in case it encountered a Union ship. Otherwise, it was unarmed as it had been trimmed down to be used as a blockade-runner, and her only other means of defense was to run the launch down.

Engineer James H. Tomb reported: "We immediately headed for her, striking her about amidships, but not having much headway on the Juno, the launch swung around to port, just forward of the wheel...."

The launch's men then tried to board the Juno, but were overwhelmed by superior numbers. Interesting items on the blockade. Launches from ships also doing blockade-running duty and patrols.

Not Your Regular Standard Battle. --Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: October 21st to 22nd ,1862

OCTOBER 21ST

USS Louisville escorted Union troops too Beldsoe's Landing and Hamblin's Landing in Arkansas.  These towns were burned in reprisal to attacks by Confederate guerrillas on mail steamer Gladiator on Oct. 19th.  Warned the people that any more attacks would be dealt with in similar fashion.  Kind of a mean retaliation if you ask me.


OCTOBER 22ND

Three 12-pounder boat howitzers from the USS Wabash furnished artillery support for Union troops at the battle of Pocotaligo, SC.  I didn't quite understand this, but ordinary seaman Oscar W. Farenholt, the first enlisted man in the Navy to reach flag rank, was severely wounded.  This Wabash battery took part in amphibious operations all along the South Atlantic coast.

USS Penobscott, Commander Clitz, captured the British blockade-running brig Robert Bruce off Cape Fear, NC.

Lt. William B Cushing reported that the USS Ellis captured and destroyed blockade-runner Adelaide at New Topsail Inlet, NC, with cargo of turpentine, cotton and tobacco.  (Definitely trying to run out.)

************

These actions, while not huge, continued to put pressure on strained Confederate resources throughout the war.  Constant attacks along the rivers and coasts, especially in conjunction with the Army, were devastating. 

And, then, the blockade continually got more effective.  Usually, I just write about blockade-runners captured in the Wilmington area, but the Chronicles has a lot more.

Old B-R'er