George Henry Preble-- Part 5: Chasing the CSS Florida

The Winona was not on station at the onset of the Florida chase as it had been sent out in a chase of a blockade runner.  It was returning as the Florida chase began.

One of Preble's Oneida's boilers was shut down for repairs so just one was in operation.  This significantly slowed Preble's ship.

Preble placed the Oneidai n front of the fast-moving Florida.  At 6 p.m., he ordered shots fired across the Florida's bow (still not knowing what kind of ship he was facing).  And then another across the unknown ship's forefoot.  All three shots were fired just as soon as the Florida was within range.

The Florida did not stop.

--Old B-R'er

George Henry Preble-- Part 4: In Defense of the CSS Florida Escape

However, Preble had his supporters in the incident.
Even the commander of the CSS Florida, John Newland Maffitt, testified that it was his ship's superior speed that enabled him to run into Mobile Bay.

Other Oneida officers testified that Preble had done no wrong.

The CSS Florida appeared around 5 p.m. on September 4, 1862, flying the ensign of an English warship to confuse the blockaders.  Preble was in command of the Mobile blockade at the time in  his USS Oneida along with the the USS Winona because the other blockading ships were away for repairs.  So instead of the usual six ships, there were just two.

--Old B-Runner

Union Attack on Bull's Bay, S.C.-- Part 1

FEBRUARY 16-17TH, 1865:  Ships of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, including the USS Pawnee, Sonoma, Ottawa, Winona, Potomska, Wando, J.S. Chambers, and boats and launches from these vessels supported the amphibious Army landing at Bull's Bay, S.C..  This was a diversionary movement in the major thrust to take Charleston and was designed to contain Confederate strength away from General Sherman.

Such diversions had been Sherman's plan from the outset as he took full advantage of the North's control of the sea while his army marched across the land.

A naval landing party from the fleet joined the troops of Brigadier general Edward E. Potter in driving the Confederates from their positions at Bull's Bay and driving them toward Andersonville and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Forts in Savannah's Outer Defenses Captured

DECEMBER 14-21ST, 1864:  Union gunboats supporting general Sherman's advance aided in the capture of Forts Beaulieu and Rosedew in Ossabow Sound, Georgia, the outer defenses of Savannah.  Wooden steamer USS Winona, USS Sonoma and mortar gunboats shelled the forts until they were abandoned 21 December.

The Winona's log entry for that date: "At 10:05 saw the American Ensign flying on Fort Beaulieu.  Ships ; captain left in gig and proceeded up to the fort."

--Old B-Runner