"Gallway's Streets Are Full of Confederates"

From the October 6, 2016, Gallway Advertiser (Ireland).

The Gallway Line from 1858 to 1864 made 55 round trips to Boston and New York City.

William Boxwell West, U.S. Vice Consul, said, "Gallway's streets were full of Confederates."  he inspected the clipper ship Hiawatha and noted that there was "no mode of ventilation" if it was to be a passenger ship as advertised.

The Hiawatha's owner, John B. Purdon intended it to be a blockade runner.

It sailed to new York City, disembarked 132 emigrants and a load of scrap iron.  It then sailed to Nassau where it was chartered as a blockade runner under the command of John Ballantyne and made a number of successful runs through the blockade, even more remarkable considering it was a sailing ship.

Vice Consul West also kept tabs on the mysterious ship that ended up being the CSS Alabama during its construction.

--Old B-R'er

Carolina Beach (NC) Town Hall Gets Historic Fort Fisher Exhibits New Life-- Part 1

From the June 9, 2016, WWAY 3 ABC  (Wilmington, NC) by Taylor Yakowenko.

Four exhibits will be unveiled next week at the Carolina Beach Town Hall on US-421.  The Friends of Fort Fisher were instrumental in getting these exhibits.  They were originally a part of the collection of the long-closed Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, according to Friends of Fort Fisher executive director Paul Laird.

The diorama inserts had been in storage in the basement of the Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington for over 30 years and not accessible to the public.

I remember seeing these exhibits often as the Blockade Runner Museum was a major hang out for me back when I was growing up.  As a matter of fact, the Carolina Beach Town Hall is located in the building that used to be the Blockade Runner  Museum, so, in effect, the exhibits are returning to their former home.

I Know Where I'm Going This August.  --Old B-Runner

Long-Lost Blockade-Runner Agnes E. Fry Found, Probably-- Part 2: Smokeless Coal and Non-Splashing Paddlewheels

The archaeologists ran a survey out in the area with a magnetometer (like an underwater metal detector) being towed behind the boat and that is when they found the wreck.

A lot of research has been done on the Agnes E. Fry which seems to be the likely name of the shipwreck as the three other blockade-runners known to have been sunk in the area, only the Fry was longer than 200 feet and this one is 225 feet long.  The paddle wheels and engine is missing.

The Fry's engine was one of the topline engines available in 1864 and burned smokeless high grade coal when attempting to run the blockade to avoid detection by Union ships seeing the smoke from the smokestack.  The paddlewheels, one on each side, had paddle wheel blades especially designed to prevent splashing, another way Union ships would detect blockade-runners.

Old B-R'er

Further Work at the Wreck of the Agnes E. Fry Blockade-Runner

From the May 11, 2016, BBC News "new image of Clyde-built ship used in America's Civil War" by Steven McKenzie.

There is now a sonar mosaic of the Agnes E. Fry blockade-runner.  The article contains this.

There is also a North Carolina Department of Cultural resources of a deck light and what looks like the handle of a homemade knife recovered from the wreck.

Specialist divers from the Charlotte Fire department and sonar experts from Nautilus Marine Group assisted in the mosaic.

The Agnes E. Fry was launched with the name Fox and ran aground 27 December 1864 while attempting to run into Wilmington, North Carolina.  Since this was between the two attacks on Fort Fisher, it is doubted that much in the way of salvage was done at the time.

The mosaic photo of the wreck includes two possible sponsons, boiler fragments, decklight (recovered) broken hull plating and frames and I-beam frames, smoke stack sections and outer hull plating.

--So, What Is a Sponson?  --Old B-Runner

Keep the Fort Fisher Dam Rock Solid

From the May 5, 2016, Wilmington (N.C.) Star- News  "Editorial: Keep Fort Fisher dam rock solid."

Photograph accompanying it:  "A massive engineering feat of the 1800s, also known as the New Inlet Dam, 'The Rocks' constitute a gigantic breakwater, or rock jetty, at the tip of federal Point.  The rocks extend from the mainland and beyond Zeke's Island for more than three miles."

Senator Michael lee, R-New Hanover County, proposed removing a section of the 130-year-old dam which was built to close New Inlet into the Cape Fear River which was formed by a storm in 1761.  This was the favored entrance to the Cape Fear River and Wilmington by blockade-runners during the Civil War and protected by the guns of Fort Fisher.

Lee wants the southern section, called the Swash Defense Dam removed to recreate the natural flow.

The Army Corps of Engineers, who built it, is not sure exactly why Lee wants it removed, nor is the Wilmington Star-News, concluding, "We're still puzzled by Lee's request, and we're not alone in our puzzlement."

I, myself, don't want it removed.  I have walked on it many times.

--Old B-R'er

Agnes C. Fry Arrived in Nassau September 8, 1864

September 24, 1864, report of U.S. Consul Thomas Kirkpatrick to Sec. of State Seward.

Announced the arrival of many blockade-runners from August 24, 1864, to September 23rd.

One of them, on September 8 was the steamer Agnes C. Fry, formerly the Fox, from Bermuda.  (Actual name was the Agnes E. Fry.)

There was also the steamer General Whiting arriving on September 6 from Charleston.  The General Whiting left Nassau on September 17, for Charleston.

--Old B-R'er

New York Times Reports Blockade-Runners Dec. 25, 1864

"The blockade runners Old Dominion, Wild River, Little Hattie, Banshee and Agnes E. Fry had arrived from Wilmington; the Syren had arrived from Charleston; the Gem, Marmion and Kenilworth had returned in distress; and the Virginia, Hansa, Ella, Kate Gregg, Charlotte, Will o' the Wisp, Stormy, Petrel, Little Hattie, Syren and Star had sailed to run the blockade."

Even at this late date in the war, there was plenty of blockade-running underway.

And one of the runners was none other than the Agnes E. Fry, the one that was found at the end of last month off Wilmington, North Carolina.

--Old B-Runner

Rhett Butler? Is That You?: Blockade-Runner Found Off North Carolina Coast

From March 7, 2016, Popular Science "Civil War 'Teaser': Blockade Runner Found Off North Carolina Coast: Rhett Butler?  Is That You?" by Beth Griggs.

According to John Morris, "The state of preservation on this wreck is among the best we've ever had.

At least 53 blockade-runners were lost in the Wilmington area during the Civil War.  In addition, there are pirate ships and ones from World War II's Battle of the Atlantic, victims of U-boat attacks.

The wrecks of 27 Confederate blockade-runners, Confederate ironclads and Union blockaders have been located.  According to Morris, "It's the single best assembly of Civil War shipwrecks anywhere in the world."

Students from East Carolina University's Maritime Studies Program will join in the examination of the ship, believed to be the Agnes E. Fry.

By the way, after some further research on the Agnes E. Fry's commander, he certainly had an interesting life (like the fictional Rhett Butler) and died in Cuba in front of a firing squad in 1873.

--Old B-Runner

Blockade-Runner Remains Found in North Carolina

From the March 7, 2016, Guardian.

The shipwreck was discovered February 27th near Oak Island off the North Carolina coast near Wilmington.  It is in the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Cape Fear River near Fort Caswell.  This was a favorite entrance and exit point of blockade-runners during the war.

It is believed to be the wreck of the Agnes E. Fry.  Two other runners are known to have sunk in the area, but both the Georgianna McCaw and Spunkie are shorter in length.

An expert said "It is the right shape," for the iron-hulled ship which was state-of-the-art for its time. Everything a good blockade-runner should be to better its chances of running the blockade.  The wreck rises six-eight feet above the surrounding sand and it is possible that some cargo remains.

--Old B-Runner

Likely Remains of Blockade-Runner Found Off Wilmington, N.C.-- Part 2: Possibly the Agnes E. Fry

Blockade-Runners were designed to try to break Scott's Anaconda Plan, which was the blockade of the Confederate coast.

Three blockade-runners are known to have been sunk in the general area of this shipwreck: the Agnes E. Fry, Spunkie, and Georgianna McCaw.

The shipwreck's length, estimated at 225 feet suggests the ship might be the Agnes E. fry, a ship built in Scotland in 1864.

The ship's true identity will not be known until additional research is done.  the team plans to return to the area later this week to begin dive operations.

A Very Exciting Development.  --Old B-R'er

Likely Remains Blockade-Runner Found Off Wilmington, N.C.-- Part 1

From the March 7, 2016, HuffPost Science "Rare Civil War-Era Shipwreck Discovered Off North Carolina Coast" by David Freeman.

This is a big story in a whole lot of venues.

There is a very good sonar image of the shipwreck accompanying the article.

On February 27, 2016, marine archaeologists discovered the shipwreck and made the announcement March 7th.  John W. "Billy Ray" Morris, director of the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch and leader of a team on the research vessel Atlantic Surveyor made the announcement.

This is the first Civil War-era vessel wreck found in the area in decades and, from the images appears to be that of a blockade-runner.  Blockade-runners were the "cigarette boats of their era" designed specifically to made the dangerous run through the Union blockade.

An Exciting Find.  --Old B-Runner

North Carolina's "Rocks" Are Solid-- Part 1

From the August 30, 2015, Wilmington Star-News editorial "Rocks Solid."

This concerns last week's posting about a move to take down part or all of "The Rocks" which were built to close New Inlet, a favorite route of blockade-runners during the Civil War into the port of Wilmington, North Carolina.  Fort Fisher was built to protect New Inlet.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers once listed "The Rocks" near Fort Fisher as one of its proudest achievements.  "So why does state Sen. Mike Lee want to tear it down?"

The New Hanover County Republican has introduced a bill to remove all or part of it between Zeke's Island and Bald Head/Smith island.

He talks about restoring the natural flow of the Cape Fear River and the local environment.

--Old B-R'er

Exploring the Wreck of a Blockade-Runner: The Montana

From the April 29, 2013, Bernews.

Bermuda's Department of Conservation Service and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute offer guided tours of the wreck of a ship of many names:  Nola, Gloria, Paramount and Montana.

It was  built in Glasgow, Scotland, and was a 236-foot long paddle wheel steamer capable of 15 knots.  It hit a shallow reef off Bermuda and sank in December 1863.  The ship is located in 30 feet of water and ius partially intact.

Of 71 blockade-runners operating in and out of Bermuda, the Union Navy had captured or sunk 43 by 1864.

The Montana wreck consists of two boilers and twp paddle wheel frames lying on their sides.  Its site is alongside the Constellation, a World War II ship wreck that inspired Peter Benchley's Bermuda thriller "The Deep."

So, not only did blockade-runners have to worry aboout Union ships, but also reefs, shallow water and other situations.

--Old B-Runner

Crate of Blockade-Runner Rifles Found at Charleston-- Part 1

From the December 18, 2013, Civil War Picket Blog "rare crate of Civil War rifles yields picture of daring Civil War blockade runner" by Phil Gast.

A carefully-constructed box of British-made Enfield rifles which were sunk along with the CSS Stono (former USS Isaac P. Smith) in Charleston Harbor on June 5, 1863.  The time capsule consists of Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle muskets.

There are twenty of them (the Enfields were the second-most widely used rifles during the war, second only to the Springfields).  There are only three-known intact cases of the single-shot weapon known to exist.

The iron rifle bands, locks and bayonets are heavily deteriorated from the over 150-years submerging in salt water..  But the walnut stocks are in "tremendous shape."  Brass components like the butt plates, trigger guards and nose caps are in good shape.

--Old B-Runner

Farragut's Denbigh Finally Destroyed-- Part 2

William Watson, a Confederate blockade runner who shipped on the Rob Roy and other elusive runners, later wrote of the Denbigh:  "I may safely say that one of the most successful, and certainly one of the most profitable, steamers that sailed out of Havana to the Confederate States was a somewhat old, and by no means a fast, steamer, named the Denbigh.

"This vessel ran for a considerable time between Havana and Mobile, but when the latter port was captured by the Federals, she ran to Galveston, to and from which port she made such regular trips that she was called the packet.   She was small in size, and not high above water, and painted in such a way as not to be readily seen at a distance.

"She was light on coal, made but little smoke, and depended more upon strategy than speed. She carried large cargoes of cotton, and it was generally allowed that the little Denbigh was a more profitable boat than any of the larger and swifter crafts."

Nevertheless, in the end she met the same fate as hundreds of her sister runners.

In Short, the Perfect Blockade-Runner.  just Ask David G..  --  Old B-R'er

Welles Still Concerned About Galveston Blockade-Running

MAY 20TH, 1865:  Secretary Welles indicated the Navy department's continuing concern about blockade running from Galveston in his order to Rear Admiral Thatcher:  "Seven large steamers have arrived abroad from Galveston in nine days.  

As this is the only port in the United States where traffic can be carried on to any extent, it is desirable that the majority of the vessels and the best officer you have should be on duty as senior officer off that port."

Welles' Patience Growing Thin.  --Old B-Runner

Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-Do-- Part 2: Sinking and Wine Recovery

They don't know whether it is a good or bad wine.  It was recovered from the iron-hulled sidewheel blockade-runner Mary Celestia which left Bermuda and struck a reef and sank in six minutes.  No one knows if it was an accident or on purpose.

Philippe Rouja, cultural anthropologist and custodian of historic shipwrecks for Bermuda and his brother Jean-Pierre Rouja were diving on shipwrecks in 2011.  A winter storm had swept the wreck and that is when they found the wine in a secret boatswain's locker in the bow of the ship.

Later dives turned up more bottles of wine, sealed bottles of perfume, women's shoes, hairbrushes and pearl shell buttons.

Does Wine Age Under the Sea?  --Old B-Runner

Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-Do- Part 1: 150 Year Old Blockade-Runner Wine to Be Sampled

From the March 6, 2015, Yahoo! News Reuters "Wine from Civil War-era shipwreck to be uncorked in South Carolina" by Harriet McLeod.

An intact bottle of wine was recovered four years ago from a blockade-runner that sank off the coast of Bermuda in 1864 was to be uncorked and sipped Friday (yesterday) during a food festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

How it tastes and its story will be revealed at the Charleston Wine + Food event "From Deep Below: A Wine Event 150 Years in the Making."

About 50 people bought tickets to hear first-hand what is inside one of the bottles and will watch a panel of wine experts taste it.

What, Paid and No Drinkee?  --Old B-Runner

Evacuation of Charleston-- Part 3: Capture of Blockade-Runners, "Strange We Did Not Smell a Rat"

FEBRUARY 17-18TH, 1865"  The steamers Lady Davis, Mab and Transport were taken after evacuation.  The USS Catskill seized the Confederate blockade-runner Celt, which had run aground trying to get out of Charleston on the night of the 14th.

The Catskill also took the British blockade-runner Deer.  The steamer had been decoyed into Charleston that night by the same ruse--   keeping the Confederate signals lighted--employed at Wilmington the previous month.

The deer ran aground and on being boarded her master told Lt.Cmdr. Edward Barrett"  "Well, we give it up; she is your prize.  Strange we did not smell a rat, as we could not make out your signal at Fort Marshall."

Also in the aftermath of Charleston's fall, the USS Gladiolus captured blockade-runner Syren in the Ashley River which had successfully run in through the blockade the night before.

And, i was always under the notion that blockade-running at Charleston was a done deal by 1864.  Evidently I was wrong.

--Old B-Runner

Five Blockade-Runners Plan Attempt to Run Into Charleston

FEBRUARY 12TH, 1865:  The blockade runners Carolina, Dream, Chicora, Chameleon and Owl, heavily laden with supplies desperately needed by Lee's army, lay at anchor in Nassau Harbor.  During the day, the five captains, including Lt. John Wilkinson and Commander John Maffitt, held a conference and formulated plans for running the blockade into Charleston.

After putting to sea that night, the five ships separated and stood on different courses for the South Carolina port.  Only the Chicora got through and became the last blockade runner to enter or leave  Charleston prior to its evacuation during the night of February 17-18.

Two and a half months later the Owl, Commander Maffitt, slipped past 16 Federal cruisers and entered the harbor at Galveston.  After off-loading his cargo, Maffitt again evaded the blockaders and safely eached Havana on May 9th, where after coaling his ship he continued to give Union warships the slip on his return voyage to Nassau and ultimately to Liverpool, where he arrived 14 July.

--Old B-Runner