DECEMBER 31ST, 1861: Two boats under Acting Masters A. Allen and H.L. Sturges, from the USS Mount Vernon, destroyed lightship off Wilmington, N.C., which had been fitted out as a gunboat by the Confederates.
--Old B-Runner
Showing posts with label lightships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lightships. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Some More on the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 4
Historical Notes on the ship.
1855 Named Arctic by the U.S. Navy to serve in the polar expedition of Dr. Elisha Ken Kane. Returned and machinery taken off and sold to U.S. Lighthouse service.
1860 Arrived at Smithville, N.C. (now Southport) for use as a relief vessel.
1860 Seized by Confederates and sunk in the Cape Fear River. (The date here should be 1861 for seizure. Most likely it was sunk in the Cape Fear River in January 1865 after the fall of Fort Fisher.)
1866 Raised and repaired
1867 May 4 assigned to Hen and Chickens Shoal, Massachusetts
1875 Dragged off station by ice.
1876 April Broke adrift in a heavy gale.
1877 Assigned as relief at Woods Hole, Mass.
--Old B-R'er
1855 Named Arctic by the U.S. Navy to serve in the polar expedition of Dr. Elisha Ken Kane. Returned and machinery taken off and sold to U.S. Lighthouse service.
1860 Arrived at Smithville, N.C. (now Southport) for use as a relief vessel.
1860 Seized by Confederates and sunk in the Cape Fear River. (The date here should be 1861 for seizure. Most likely it was sunk in the Cape Fear River in January 1865 after the fall of Fort Fisher.)
1866 Raised and repaired
1867 May 4 assigned to Hen and Chickens Shoal, Massachusetts
1875 Dragged off station by ice.
1876 April Broke adrift in a heavy gale.
1877 Assigned as relief at Woods Hole, Mass.
--Old B-R'er
Hen and Chickens Shoal, Massachusetts
The Lightship LV-8 was posted for most of its active career as a lightship at Hen and Chickens Shoal in Massachusetts.
The shoal is located one mile south of Hen and Chickens Reef and two miles off Horseneck Beach about 3.7 miles from Cuttyhunk Lighthouse.
These are near Westport, Massachusetts in the southwest corner of the state's coastline.
Lightship service was discontinued in 1954 after having buoys placed.
--Old B-Runner
The shoal is located one mile south of Hen and Chickens Reef and two miles off Horseneck Beach about 3.7 miles from Cuttyhunk Lighthouse.
These are near Westport, Massachusetts in the southwest corner of the state's coastline.
Lightship service was discontinued in 1954 after having buoys placed.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Some More on the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 3: Service Assignments
Service Assignments
1860-- Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina. Arrived at Smithville (at the mouth of the Cape Fear River leading to Wilmington) on May 14, 1860 for use as a relief vessel. When the state seceded, it was seized by Confederates. According to this source, it seems that the ship was sunk in the same year, but I think most likely it was sunk at some point during the attacks on Fort fisher in late 1864, early 1865.
It was later raised, repaired and towed north by the tender Iris in 1866.
From 1867 to 1877 it was lightship LV-8 at Hen and Chickens, Massachusetts.
From 1877 to 1879 it was a Relief in Massachusetts. I'm thinking this to be use as a relief ship.
--Old B-Runner
1860-- Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina. Arrived at Smithville (at the mouth of the Cape Fear River leading to Wilmington) on May 14, 1860 for use as a relief vessel. When the state seceded, it was seized by Confederates. According to this source, it seems that the ship was sunk in the same year, but I think most likely it was sunk at some point during the attacks on Fort fisher in late 1864, early 1865.
It was later raised, repaired and towed north by the tender Iris in 1866.
From 1867 to 1877 it was lightship LV-8 at Hen and Chickens, Massachusetts.
From 1877 to 1879 it was a Relief in Massachusetts. I'm thinking this to be use as a relief ship.
--Old B-Runner
Some More About the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 2: LV-8
From the U.S. Coast Guard Lightship site.
The Arctic was built 1853-1855 for $10,000. It was wood frame and planked and fitted to lightship use in 1859.
The ship was 98 feet long and had a beam of 23.6 feet. Draft was 11.6 feet and 232 tons. Propulsion was steam, but machinery removed by the U.S. Navy prior to sale to U.S. Light House Service. It was converted to schooner rigging when modified.
Illumination apparatus consisted of a single lantern on the mainmast which had eight lard oil lamps with reflectors.
--Old B-R'er
The Arctic was built 1853-1855 for $10,000. It was wood frame and planked and fitted to lightship use in 1859.
The ship was 98 feet long and had a beam of 23.6 feet. Draft was 11.6 feet and 232 tons. Propulsion was steam, but machinery removed by the U.S. Navy prior to sale to U.S. Light House Service. It was converted to schooner rigging when modified.
Illumination apparatus consisted of a single lantern on the mainmast which had eight lard oil lamps with reflectors.
--Old B-R'er
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Some More on the USS/CSS Arctic-- Part 1
From America's Lighthouses by Francis Ross Holland.
The Arctic was seized and sunk in the Cape Fear River where it remained until the end of the war. After the war, it was raised, repaired and refitted for further lightship duty.
In 1867, it was stationed at Hen and Chicks Shoals off Massachusetts for nine years. It was found to be "old and worn out" and not worth repair and removed from service in 1876. It was sold at public auction three years later.
--Old B-Runner
The Arctic was seized and sunk in the Cape Fear River where it remained until the end of the war. After the war, it was raised, repaired and refitted for further lightship duty.
In 1867, it was stationed at Hen and Chicks Shoals off Massachusetts for nine years. It was found to be "old and worn out" and not worth repair and removed from service in 1876. It was sold at public auction three years later.
--Old B-Runner
Monday, January 18, 2016
USS Arctic-- Part 2: Service Before the Civil War
Continued from Jan. 8, 2016. This is continuing with the story of the CSS Arctic, located at Wilmington, N.C., during the war.
In July 1856, the USS Arctic put to sea to make depth soundings in preparation for the laying of the first transatlantic cable. Late in the month the Arctic was at St. John's, Newfoundland and 23 August 1856, was at Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland.
After completion of this, it was commissioned into the Coast Survey and in 1857 and early 1858 made further cable soundings in the Atlantic Ocean.
Recommissioned into the U.S. navy, from May to July 1858 was part of the American squadron off Cuba protecting American ships from British ships using their "right of search and seizure."
In early 1859, the Arctic's propulsion machinery was removed and the ship was turned over to the U.S. Lighthouse Board as a lightship. It was placed off the coast of North Carolina where it was captured by Confederate forces and turned into a warship.
After the war, it was raised and repaired and served another career as a lightship before being sold at public auction 16 April 1879.
--Old B-R'er
In July 1856, the USS Arctic put to sea to make depth soundings in preparation for the laying of the first transatlantic cable. Late in the month the Arctic was at St. John's, Newfoundland and 23 August 1856, was at Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland.
After completion of this, it was commissioned into the Coast Survey and in 1857 and early 1858 made further cable soundings in the Atlantic Ocean.
Recommissioned into the U.S. navy, from May to July 1858 was part of the American squadron off Cuba protecting American ships from British ships using their "right of search and seizure."
In early 1859, the Arctic's propulsion machinery was removed and the ship was turned over to the U.S. Lighthouse Board as a lightship. It was placed off the coast of North Carolina where it was captured by Confederate forces and turned into a warship.
After the war, it was raised and repaired and served another career as a lightship before being sold at public auction 16 April 1879.
--Old B-R'er
Friday, January 8, 2016
USS Arctic-- Part 1: Looking for Kane
From Wikipedia.
Not much in Wiki about the CSS Arctic, but a lot about the USS Arctic.
Steamer 125 tons, 172 feet long, 24 foot beam and mounted one 12-pdr. cannon.In the U.S. Navy 1855-1856 and 1858-1859. Also a U.S. Coast Survey ship and lightship for the U.S. Lighthouse Board from 1859-1879.
Constructed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1855 and commissioned for the purpose of rescuing the Arctic Expedition of Elisha K. Kane. It put to sea with the USS Release on 4 June 1855 and found Kane and his men at Diska Island in Baffin Bay on the west coast of Greenland. They had survived and 84-day journey across pack ice and open water in open boats.
The two ships returned to the U.S. in Autumn 1855.
--Old B-Runner
Not much in Wiki about the CSS Arctic, but a lot about the USS Arctic.
Steamer 125 tons, 172 feet long, 24 foot beam and mounted one 12-pdr. cannon.In the U.S. Navy 1855-1856 and 1858-1859. Also a U.S. Coast Survey ship and lightship for the U.S. Lighthouse Board from 1859-1879.
Constructed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1855 and commissioned for the purpose of rescuing the Arctic Expedition of Elisha K. Kane. It put to sea with the USS Release on 4 June 1855 and found Kane and his men at Diska Island in Baffin Bay on the west coast of Greenland. They had survived and 84-day journey across pack ice and open water in open boats.
The two ships returned to the U.S. in Autumn 1855.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Numbering the Light Vessels
Vessels in the Lighthouse Service (LHS) were given letter designations to identify individual ships. The first series went from the letters A-Z. The second series went AA-ZZ.
Then the numbering system was changed and ships given the letter-number combination LV-1, LV-2.The Arctic was formerly the U.S. Navy Ship "D" when stationed off Frying Pan Shoals before the war.
After the war, it became LV-8 and was stationed off Hens and Chickens and then off Relief.
--Old B-R'er
Then the numbering system was changed and ships given the letter-number combination LV-1, LV-2.The Arctic was formerly the U.S. Navy Ship "D" when stationed off Frying Pan Shoals before the war.
After the war, it became LV-8 and was stationed off Hens and Chickens and then off Relief.
--Old B-R'er
Lightships Off the Southern Coast
From Civil War Talk by Bil R.
The Confederates seized Union light vessels to prevent the Federals from using them.
Before the war, there were 24 stations in Southern waters maintained by light stations.
Southern Station names were: Willoughby's Spot, York Spit, Wolf Trap, Wind Mill Point, Bowler's Rock, Smith Point, Lower Cedar Point, Roanoke River, Roanoke Island, Long Shoal, Royal Shoal, Harbor island, Brant island Shoal, Neuse River, Frying Pan Shoal (by Wilmington, the Arctic's station), Horseshoe Shoal, Rattlesnake Shoal, Combahee Bank, Martin's Industry, Calibouge Sound, Tybee Island Knoll, Dames Point, Merrill's Shell Bank and Galveston.
Ship names included Spencer, Legare, McLane and Arctic.
--Old B-Runner
The Confederates seized Union light vessels to prevent the Federals from using them.
Before the war, there were 24 stations in Southern waters maintained by light stations.
Southern Station names were: Willoughby's Spot, York Spit, Wolf Trap, Wind Mill Point, Bowler's Rock, Smith Point, Lower Cedar Point, Roanoke River, Roanoke Island, Long Shoal, Royal Shoal, Harbor island, Brant island Shoal, Neuse River, Frying Pan Shoal (by Wilmington, the Arctic's station), Horseshoe Shoal, Rattlesnake Shoal, Combahee Bank, Martin's Industry, Calibouge Sound, Tybee Island Knoll, Dames Point, Merrill's Shell Bank and Galveston.
Ship names included Spencer, Legare, McLane and Arctic.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
CSS Arctic-- Part 7: Scuttled, Raised, Becomes a Lightship Again
In early 1865, the CSS Arctic was scuttled, but not destroyed, to prevent capture by Union forces after the fall of Fort Fisher.
After the war, the wreck was raised and found to be structurally sound and again outfitted as a lightship and continued to serve for many years using its original name
Comments on Civil War Talk.
One person not sure where it was moored. Perhaps near Fort Caswell.
Someone else had a picture of the USS Arctic from the Illustrated London News from the late 1850s with the caption "The American Steam ship 'Arctic' employed in sounding for the Atlantic Telegraph."
--Old B-R'er
After the war, the wreck was raised and found to be structurally sound and again outfitted as a lightship and continued to serve for many years using its original name
Comments on Civil War Talk.
One person not sure where it was moored. Perhaps near Fort Caswell.
Someone else had a picture of the USS Arctic from the Illustrated London News from the late 1850s with the caption "The American Steam ship 'Arctic' employed in sounding for the Atlantic Telegraph."
--Old B-R'er
CSS Arctic-- Part 6: USS Arctic to CSS Arctic
From 1858-1859, the USS Arctic was taken out of service and converted back into a lightship at Norfolk and turned over to Lightship Services. Its engine and boiler were placed in storage. After Norfolk was seized by Confederates it is possible that they were sent to Wilmington, N.C. for use on an ironclad.
Now as the Lightship Arctic, it was placed in service off Wilmington where it too was seized by Confederates in 1861 and converted into a floating battery/guard ship and became the CSS Arctic. It is possible that the original sheet iron on its hull was still in place which might be why some classified it as an ironclad floating battery. However, sheet iron wouldn't help much in stopping a shell.
It is also possible that more sheet iron was placed on the hull.
It likely also had three cannons arranged along center pivots in open mounts.
--Old B-Runner
Now as the Lightship Arctic, it was placed in service off Wilmington where it too was seized by Confederates in 1861 and converted into a floating battery/guard ship and became the CSS Arctic. It is possible that the original sheet iron on its hull was still in place which might be why some classified it as an ironclad floating battery. However, sheet iron wouldn't help much in stopping a shell.
It is also possible that more sheet iron was placed on the hull.
It likely also had three cannons arranged along center pivots in open mounts.
--Old B-Runner
Monday, January 4, 2016
CSS Arctic-- Part 4: Looking for Arctic Explorer John Franklin
Continued from December 24, 2015.
There is some confusion as to whether the CSS Arctic was the USS Arctic, a lightship.
In 1854, the U.S. Navy authorized a search mission for the Franklin. A strong, stout ship was needed which could be modified for use in far north waters. They found a lightship under construction in Philadelphia and believed it was just what they needed. They named it the USS Arctic.
The engines were intended for a tugboat and sheet iron was placed on the hull for protection against ice. (This could be a reason why some sources list the CSS Arctic as an ironclad.)
The Kane Mission returned without find the Franklin and the USS Arctic was laid up. It was then fitted out for cable laying and coastal survey work.
--Old B-Runner
There is some confusion as to whether the CSS Arctic was the USS Arctic, a lightship.
In 1854, the U.S. Navy authorized a search mission for the Franklin. A strong, stout ship was needed which could be modified for use in far north waters. They found a lightship under construction in Philadelphia and believed it was just what they needed. They named it the USS Arctic.
The engines were intended for a tugboat and sheet iron was placed on the hull for protection against ice. (This could be a reason why some sources list the CSS Arctic as an ironclad.)
The Kane Mission returned without find the Franklin and the USS Arctic was laid up. It was then fitted out for cable laying and coastal survey work.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, December 24, 2015
CSS Arctic-- Part 3: Did the USS Arctic Become the CSS Arctic?
I ended up doing a whole lot of research on this ship yesterday. It's probable history started becoming apparent.
From the Civil War Talk site.
Another person found two references to Civil War ships named Arctic. One was the CSS Arctic, a floating battery stationed at Wilmington, N.C. It was destroyed in December 1864 or early 1865 depending upon the source.
The other was the USS Arctic, commissioned by the U.S. Navy and having service with the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1859, it was transferred to the Lighthouse Board and saw duty as a lightship for twenty years.
Another person said the CSS Arctic was converted from a lightship and mounted three cannons.
It was possibly raised and put back into service again.
He believes the Confederate and Union Arctics were one and the same ship.
--Old B-Runner
From the Civil War Talk site.
Another person found two references to Civil War ships named Arctic. One was the CSS Arctic, a floating battery stationed at Wilmington, N.C. It was destroyed in December 1864 or early 1865 depending upon the source.
The other was the USS Arctic, commissioned by the U.S. Navy and having service with the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1859, it was transferred to the Lighthouse Board and saw duty as a lightship for twenty years.
Another person said the CSS Arctic was converted from a lightship and mounted three cannons.
It was possibly raised and put back into service again.
He believes the Confederate and Union Arctics were one and the same ship.
--Old B-Runner
Friday, March 29, 2013
Lightships to Ironclads
From Encyclopedia of North Carolina.
"At least two ironclad floating batteries were converted from existing lightships. The Frying Pan Shoals lightship was being converted to a floating battery in the rear of Fort Caswell, near the Western Bar Inlet of the Cape Fear River, when a party from the Union ship Mount Vernon burned it in late december 1861.
The Arctic was converted in 1863 and later used as a receiving ship for the Wilmington Station. In March 1863 and January 1865 the Union navy reported Confederate ironclad sightings but there is no documentation to confirm either account."
I have heard of the CSS Arctic, but there is not much information on the ship. I would imagine it was destroyed when Wilmington fell.
Old B-Runner
"At least two ironclad floating batteries were converted from existing lightships. The Frying Pan Shoals lightship was being converted to a floating battery in the rear of Fort Caswell, near the Western Bar Inlet of the Cape Fear River, when a party from the Union ship Mount Vernon burned it in late december 1861.
The Arctic was converted in 1863 and later used as a receiving ship for the Wilmington Station. In March 1863 and January 1865 the Union navy reported Confederate ironclad sightings but there is no documentation to confirm either account."
I have heard of the CSS Arctic, but there is not much information on the ship. I would imagine it was destroyed when Wilmington fell.
Old B-Runner
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Back Then
From the July 30, 2010, Wilmington (NC) Star-News.
August 5, 1960, the US Coast Guard announced that the Frying Pan Lightship was to be replaced with a steel tower.
There had been a lightship anchored by the treacherous shoals ever since 1855, including the Civil War, but I haven't been able to find out too much about it.
Old B-Runner
August 5, 1960, the US Coast Guard announced that the Frying Pan Lightship was to be replaced with a steel tower.
There had been a lightship anchored by the treacherous shoals ever since 1855, including the Civil War, but I haven't been able to find out too much about it.
Old B-Runner
Monday, January 30, 2012
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: Jan. 20 to 25th
JANUARY 20-21ST
Flag Officer Lynch in CSS Seabird and CSS Raleigh reconnoitered Hatteras Inlet, NC, and found a large fleet of steamers and transports.
JANUARY 21ST
LT. Phelps re-emphasizes the need for mortar boats at Fort Donelson.
JANUARY 22ND
USS Lexington makes another of frequent reconnaissances up the Tennessee River to Fort Henry.
Lt. Worden reports steady progress on the USS Monitor. Still waiting for 11-inch guns.
JANUARY 23RD
Flag Officer Goldsborough wrote from Hatteras Inlet that 19 Naval ships were over the bar and in Pamlico Sound, a very difficult operation with the bad weather.
Flag Officer Foote still needs sailors for his ships on the rivers. Wants 600 men.. Secretary of War getting the men with sea experience from Massachusetts regiments.
JANUARY 24TH
A Union lightship off Cape Henry, Virginia, went aground and was captured by Confederates.
The Buildup Before Roanoke Attacked. --Old B-Runner
Flag Officer Lynch in CSS Seabird and CSS Raleigh reconnoitered Hatteras Inlet, NC, and found a large fleet of steamers and transports.
JANUARY 21ST
LT. Phelps re-emphasizes the need for mortar boats at Fort Donelson.
JANUARY 22ND
USS Lexington makes another of frequent reconnaissances up the Tennessee River to Fort Henry.
Lt. Worden reports steady progress on the USS Monitor. Still waiting for 11-inch guns.
JANUARY 23RD
Flag Officer Goldsborough wrote from Hatteras Inlet that 19 Naval ships were over the bar and in Pamlico Sound, a very difficult operation with the bad weather.
Flag Officer Foote still needs sailors for his ships on the rivers. Wants 600 men.. Secretary of War getting the men with sea experience from Massachusetts regiments.
JANUARY 24TH
A Union lightship off Cape Henry, Virginia, went aground and was captured by Confederates.
The Buildup Before Roanoke Attacked. --Old B-Runner
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