USS Nightingale-- Part 6: Purchase By U.S. Navy, Commissioned and Duty on the Gulf Coast

Being a slave ship, the Nightingale was condemned by the New York prize court and then promptly bought by the U.S. Navy, then in serious need of anything that would float and carry guns for the blockade of the South's coasts.

It was commissioned 18 August 1861 under command of Brevet Master  David B. Horne. 

The Nightingale now carried four 32-pounder cannons.

Fitted out as a collier and store ship, the Nightingale got underway south laden with coal the same day she was commissioned.  Stopped at Hampton Roads on the 21st and then left for Key West the following morning.  But for occasional trips north for coal and supplies, she served on the Gulf Coast through the first years of the Civil War.

--Old B-Runner

Adriatic Lost On Way to New York-- Part 2: One of 30 Union Ships Captured By the CSS Tallahassee

In late July 1864, the sailing ship Adriatic left London, England, enroute to New York, carrying 170 German immigrants and 100 American citizens.  The ship was built in New York in 1861 and, in addition, was transporting about 1000 tons of supplies.

The CSS Tallahassee was a former blockade runner (SS Atalanta) which had been acquired by the Confederate government and commissioned as a commerce raider and commissioned in 1864.  It left its homeport of Wilmington, N.C.,  and began a voyage in August 1864, where it captured 30 ships.  Out of the 30, the Adriatic was the biggest prize.

When the two ships encountered, a collision caused the Tallahassee to lose a mast.

--Old B-R'er

Butler's Steamer Greyhound, the Belle, "Captain Henry" and the Admiral

The USS Connecticut's crew also recognized "Captain Henry"as being a former lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, now lieutenant in the Confederate Navy, George Henry Bier.

The Connecticut sent the Greyhound to Boston with a prize crew under the command of Acting Ensign Samuel Harding, Jr., USN.  However, Lt. Biel was able to get Harding tohelp him escape from Boston to Canada.  For this, Harding was dismissed from the Navy in disgrace, but was later able to get to England where he married Belle Boyd.  (Makes you wonder about this arrangement.)

The Greyhound and its cargo was assessed at $484,000 in prize money which no doubt pleased the Connecticut's crew.  That was a lot of prize money.

Some sources believe that this was the ship that became General Butler's headquarters on the James River in late fall 1864.  On her, Butler visited Admiral Porter at Dutch Gap.  The Greyhound was faster than the admiral's USS Malvern at the time and they went to Fortress Monroe to consult with Assistant Secretary Gustavus V. Fox.

--Old B-Runner

CSS Alabama vs. USS Kearsarge-- Part 6: Captured 67 Union Merchant Ships

From June 28, 2019.

The spectacular career of the Confederate raider Alabama was over.  Before her last battle Semmes  reminded his men:  "You have destroyed, and driven for protection under neutral flags, one-half of the enemy's commerce, which at the beginning of the war, covered every sea."

The Alabama had captured and burned at sea 55 Union merchantmen valued at over four and one half million dollars, and had bonded ten others to the value of 562 thousand dollars.

Another prize, the Conrad, was commissioned the CSS Tuscaloosa and herself struck at Northern shipping.

Flag Officer Barron lamented:  "It is true that we have lost our ship; the ubiquitous gallant Alabama is no more, but we have lost no honor."

--Old B-Runner

USS Gem of the Sea Correspondence Book-- Part 5: Cut Us IN

March 6, 1863

At Anchor of Indian River, to Theordore Bailey, Commanding  E.G.N. Squadron, stating grievances of officers and crew relating to the expedition of  the U.S. gunboat Sagamore up the Indian River, which forced the Gem of the Sea to temporarily cease her own operations and traverse a treacherous sandbar in order to provide  provisions for the Sagamore's crew.

Baxter requests a portion of any of the Sagamore's prize money as she would  not have been successful without the aid of his crew.

Keeping Up With the Prize Money.  --Old B-Runner

Capture of Blockade Runner Sunbeam-- Part 4: Confusing Lights Seen

The Sunbeam was a bark rigged ship with much canvas and resembles an English gunboat "when first seen."  It is a sailing vessel with steam as an auxiliary and can speed along at 13 knots using canvas alone.

The crew said they spotted land last night but became confused by lights it saw which most likely were between the State of Georgia and the Mystic to the mail steamer Massachusetts which had arrived from New York.

Apparently, the Sunbeam threw over 3 guns.  Its cargo consisted of gun powder and army stores.

The letter was sent to the Honorable Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

--Old B-Runner

150 Years Ago-- January 18-19, 1864: Looking for the Alabama

JANUARY 18TH:

Secretary Welles directed Captain Henry Walke of the USS Sacramento to search for "the piratical vessels now afloat and preying upon our commerce. You will bear in mind that the principal object of your pursuit is the Alabama."

To this date, the CSS Alabama had taken more than 60 prizes. The effect of it and the other Confederate commerce raiders was the drastic reduction of the U.S. flag on the high seas.

**   The USS Roebuck captured the sloop Caroline off Jupiter Inlet, Florida and the USS Stars and Stripes captured the blockade running steamer Laura off Ocklockonee River, Florida.

JANUARY 19TH:

 Boats from the USS Roebuck seized British schooner Eliza and sloop Mary inside Jupiter Inlet, Florida. In ten days, the Roebuck, under Acting Master Sherrill had taken six prizes.

--Old B-Runner

Jine the Navy, See the World, Make Money-- Part 2

Continuing with the recruiting poster, word-for-word.

$50,000,000 PRIZES!

Already captured, a large share of which is awarded to Ships Crews. The laws of distributing of Prize money carefully protects the rights of all the captors.

PETTY OFFICERS, PROMOTION-- Seamen have a chance for promotion to the officers of Master at Arms, Boatswain's Mates, Quarter Gunners, Captain of Tops, Forecastle, Holds, After-Guard, &c.

Landsmen may be advanced to Armorers, Armorer's Mates, Carpenter's Mates, Painters, Coopers,, &c. 

PAY OF PETTY OFFICERS,-- From $20.00 to $45.00 per month.

Then, There's That Prize Money and Advancement.  Sounds Like A Great Deal.  --Old B-R'er