From March 26th Fort Wiki Fort Fisher.
LAND BATTERIES
two 10-inch Columbiads
four 8-inch Columbiads
one 7-inch Brooke
three 6 1/2-inch Rifles 32
seven 6 3/8-inch guns 32
one 5 7/8-inch gun
two 5 1/2-inch Coehorn Mortars
one 4 1/2inch Parrott
2 light 12-pdrs at the Sally Port
Old B-Runner
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Spanish Submarine Inventor: Narcis Monturioli i Estarriol
From Wikipedia.
Like I said in the last post, I had never heard of this man and his submarine.
Narcis Monturiol i Estarriol (1819-1885) was a Spanish inventor and the first man to develop and air independent and combustion-driven submarine. He solved the fundamental problem of underwater navigation with the first fully operational submarine.
The Ictineo I was 23 feet long, powered by humans and developed to help harvest coral. He invented it in 1859 and made fifty dives in it before it was accidentall destroyed January 1862 when a cargo vessel ran over it. This must have been the submarine that Confederate agent Quinterro wrote about from Mexico.
The Ictineo II was launched on October 1864, still powered by humans. Monturiol continued experimenting and came up with a chemical combination which put out heat and oxygen. He planned to have the heat power a small steam engine on the boat.
On October 1867, he ran the ship by steam on the water's surface and in December, he ran it submerged.
It worked, but lack of money doomed his submarine.
So, Another Sub-Marine Vessel. --Old B-R'er
Like I said in the last post, I had never heard of this man and his submarine.
Narcis Monturiol i Estarriol (1819-1885) was a Spanish inventor and the first man to develop and air independent and combustion-driven submarine. He solved the fundamental problem of underwater navigation with the first fully operational submarine.
The Ictineo I was 23 feet long, powered by humans and developed to help harvest coral. He invented it in 1859 and made fifty dives in it before it was accidentall destroyed January 1862 when a cargo vessel ran over it. This must have been the submarine that Confederate agent Quinterro wrote about from Mexico.
The Ictineo II was launched on October 1864, still powered by humans. Monturiol continued experimenting and came up with a chemical combination which put out heat and oxygen. He planned to have the heat power a small steam engine on the boat.
On October 1867, he ran the ship by steam on the water's surface and in December, he ran it submerged.
It worked, but lack of money doomed his submarine.
So, Another Sub-Marine Vessel. --Old B-R'er
Spanish Submarine to the Rescue?
From the Civil War Naval Chronology.
APRIL 9TH
John A. Quinterro, Confederate Commissioner in Monterrey, Mexico, wrote Sec. of War Benjamin: "Narcisco Monturio [of Barcelona, Spain]...has invented a vessel for submarine navigation. She is called the 'Ictineo' (fishlike vessel). As a man-of-war she can prevent not only bombardment of the ports, but also landing of the enemy. If...the necessary number of vessels [are] built, no Federal squadron would dare to approach out coasts....
The 'Ictineos' have guns which fire underwater and also rams and torpedoes. They can navigate in a depth of twenty-five fathoms....The inventor creates an artificial atmosphere...and carries with him all the elements of existence."
Confederates were always looking for anything that might stop the North's stranglehold due to its overwhelming naval superiority.
I had never heard of a Spanish submarine.
Wiki Here I Come. --Old B-Runner
APRIL 9TH
John A. Quinterro, Confederate Commissioner in Monterrey, Mexico, wrote Sec. of War Benjamin: "Narcisco Monturio [of Barcelona, Spain]...has invented a vessel for submarine navigation. She is called the 'Ictineo' (fishlike vessel). As a man-of-war she can prevent not only bombardment of the ports, but also landing of the enemy. If...the necessary number of vessels [are] built, no Federal squadron would dare to approach out coasts....
The 'Ictineos' have guns which fire underwater and also rams and torpedoes. They can navigate in a depth of twenty-five fathoms....The inventor creates an artificial atmosphere...and carries with him all the elements of existence."
Confederates were always looking for anything that might stop the North's stranglehold due to its overwhelming naval superiority.
I had never heard of a Spanish submarine.
Wiki Here I Come. --Old B-Runner
Monday, April 8, 2013
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 8, 1863: An Amazing Escapade
APRIL 8TH
Edward C. Gabaudan arrived on Farragut's flagship, the USS Richmond, after safely floating past Confederate defenses at Port Hudson in a small boat covered with tree limbs and twigs. At one boat, he drifted so close to shore that he could distinctly hear sentries talking. At one point, Confederates in a small boat started rowing over to him, but fortunately stopped.
USS Gem of the Sea seized British blockade-running schooner Maggie Fulton off Indian River Inlet, Florida. Its commander claimed he was sure no ship had run in or out of the place since March 6th as his blockade was so sharp.
Old B-Runner
Edward C. Gabaudan arrived on Farragut's flagship, the USS Richmond, after safely floating past Confederate defenses at Port Hudson in a small boat covered with tree limbs and twigs. At one boat, he drifted so close to shore that he could distinctly hear sentries talking. At one point, Confederates in a small boat started rowing over to him, but fortunately stopped.
USS Gem of the Sea seized British blockade-running schooner Maggie Fulton off Indian River Inlet, Florida. Its commander claimed he was sure no ship had run in or out of the place since March 6th as his blockade was so sharp.
Old B-Runner
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Ironclad Attack On Charleston 150 Years Ago Today-- Part 3
With darkness approaching and his ironclads badly damaged, Du Pont broke off the action. He reported that he broke off because of darkness, but fully intended to renew the attack the next day until he received the ship reports: "...I was fully convinced that a renewal of the attack could not result in the capture of Charleston, but would, in all probability, end in the destruction of a portion of the ironclad fleet and might leave several of them sunk within reach of the enemy. I therefore determined not to renew the attack."
The Confederates had beaten back a serious attack and gained a stunning victory. And they had defeated the Union's vaunted ironclads.
Du Pont was thankful that the result was " a failure instead of a disaster." He wrote General Hunter, "I am now satisfied that the place cannot be taken by a purely naval attack."
A Union Failure. --Old B-Runner
The Confederates had beaten back a serious attack and gained a stunning victory. And they had defeated the Union's vaunted ironclads.
Du Pont was thankful that the result was " a failure instead of a disaster." He wrote General Hunter, "I am now satisfied that the place cannot be taken by a purely naval attack."
A Union Failure. --Old B-Runner
Ironclad Attack On Charleston 150 Years Ago Today-- Part 2
Next in line, the Passaic had her XI-inch gun disabled for several hours and the turret was temporarily unable to turn. All the plates on the upper turret were broken and the pilot house badly dented while receiving 35 hits. The Montauk was hit 14 times. The Patapsco lost headway and became a sitting target and took 47 hits.
The flagship, the New Ironsides, had become unmanageable in the heavy current and the Catskill passed her and to withing 600 yards of Sumter. Now in a crossfire, the Catskill was struck 20 times, one of which broke the deck plates causing her to take on water.
The New Ironsides barely escaped disaster as the ship was directly over a, 2,000 pound electric torpedo that failed to go off.
Following the Catskill was the Nantucket which took 51 hits, one jamming the turret. The Nahant was hit 36 times with three disabling the turret and another shot messed up the steering gear.
The Keokuk had to run past the disabled Nahant and ran to within 600 yards of Fort Sumter where she remained for 30 minutes and was riddled with 90 shots, many of which pierced her at or below the waterline. This forced her out of action and anchored out of range. Thanks to calm seas, her crew was able to keep her afloat, but the next day, April 8th, a breeze came up and the ship sank.
Taking a Pounding. --Old B-R'er
The flagship, the New Ironsides, had become unmanageable in the heavy current and the Catskill passed her and to withing 600 yards of Sumter. Now in a crossfire, the Catskill was struck 20 times, one of which broke the deck plates causing her to take on water.
The New Ironsides barely escaped disaster as the ship was directly over a, 2,000 pound electric torpedo that failed to go off.
Following the Catskill was the Nantucket which took 51 hits, one jamming the turret. The Nahant was hit 36 times with three disabling the turret and another shot messed up the steering gear.
The Keokuk had to run past the disabled Nahant and ran to within 600 yards of Fort Sumter where she remained for 30 minutes and was riddled with 90 shots, many of which pierced her at or below the waterline. This forced her out of action and anchored out of range. Thanks to calm seas, her crew was able to keep her afloat, but the next day, April 8th, a breeze came up and the ship sank.
Taking a Pounding. --Old B-R'er
Ironclad Attack on Charleston 150 Years Ago Today-- Part 1
From Civil War Naval Chronology.
Rear Admiral Du Pont and his nine ironclads engage the Confederate fortifications in Charleston Harbor. Because of tide considerations, the ships didn't get underway until noon with the Weehawken in front pushing a raft to clear torpedoes. It was nearly 3:00 when they came within range of Fort Moultrie and Sumter.
The Weehawken opened fire of Sumter first, followed by the other monitors. The Confederates had not only obstructed the channels, but had also marked them with range indicators for their gunners which greatly increased their accuracy.
A torpedo exploded near the Weehawken and "lifted the vessel a little." Essentially undamaged, the Weehawken continued until it encountered the strong line of obstructions between Moultrie and Sumter. The commander of the Weehawken didn't want to get entangled in them and swung his bow seaward to prevent being swept up against them.
In forty minutes, the Weehawken had been struck 53 times and was taking water in through a shot hole in its deck.
Heating Up. --Old B-Runner
Rear Admiral Du Pont and his nine ironclads engage the Confederate fortifications in Charleston Harbor. Because of tide considerations, the ships didn't get underway until noon with the Weehawken in front pushing a raft to clear torpedoes. It was nearly 3:00 when they came within range of Fort Moultrie and Sumter.
The Weehawken opened fire of Sumter first, followed by the other monitors. The Confederates had not only obstructed the channels, but had also marked them with range indicators for their gunners which greatly increased their accuracy.
A torpedo exploded near the Weehawken and "lifted the vessel a little." Essentially undamaged, the Weehawken continued until it encountered the strong line of obstructions between Moultrie and Sumter. The commander of the Weehawken didn't want to get entangled in them and swung his bow seaward to prevent being swept up against them.
In forty minutes, the Weehawken had been struck 53 times and was taking water in through a shot hole in its deck.
Heating Up. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, April 6, 2013
How to Deal With Those Pesky Confederate Torpedoes
From the Civil War Naval Chronology.
From this date 1863.
Asst. Secretary of the Navy Fox wrote Commodore Rowan about a method to counter Confederate torpedoes at Mobile: "It strikes me that a small grapnel might be thrown several hundred yards ahead and hauled in so as to break connections of their torpedoes. A small charge of powder. a wooden sabot, a grapnel and chain fast on a line, fired from a XV-inch gun, are all the elements.
I advise you to prepare these arrangements, for you certainly will find torpedoes near Fort Morgan."
Words well-spoken, as there were indeed torpedoes by Fort Morgan, the ones Admiral Farragut so damned in 1864.
The big ironclad battle at Charleston took place 150 years ago tomorrow. This being one of the bugger naval battles, I will go ahead and write about it tomorrow, even though I usually take Sundays off.
Pesky Torpedoes All Over the Place. --Old B-Runner
From this date 1863.
Asst. Secretary of the Navy Fox wrote Commodore Rowan about a method to counter Confederate torpedoes at Mobile: "It strikes me that a small grapnel might be thrown several hundred yards ahead and hauled in so as to break connections of their torpedoes. A small charge of powder. a wooden sabot, a grapnel and chain fast on a line, fired from a XV-inch gun, are all the elements.
I advise you to prepare these arrangements, for you certainly will find torpedoes near Fort Morgan."
Words well-spoken, as there were indeed torpedoes by Fort Morgan, the ones Admiral Farragut so damned in 1864.
The big ironclad battle at Charleston took place 150 years ago tomorrow. This being one of the bugger naval battles, I will go ahead and write about it tomorrow, even though I usually take Sundays off.
Pesky Torpedoes All Over the Place. --Old B-Runner
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Mysterious Ironclad at Tarboro Gets Destroyed
In today's Naval Hapening 150 years ago, on April 6th, Flag Officer Lynch, CSN, listed ironclads building in NC as of this date: North Carolina, Raleigh, Neuse, Albemarle and an unnamed one at Tarboro. I was aware of the first four, but not the one at Tarboro, so did some research.
This first mention was from The Civil War Naval Chronology.
From the Learn NC site-- Union raid under Gen. Edward Potter reached Tarboro July 20th (1863) and destroyed a Confederate ironclad under construction as well as various military and civilian property.
From web.cortland site-- There was an improvised shipyard across the river from Tarboro where the Confederate Navy was building an ironclad gunboat similar to the CSS Virginia.
Potter's Raid on Tarboro captured and burned the steamboats General Hill and Governor Moreland and burned the partially built framework of an ironclad. This ended Confederate efforts to build an ironclad to protect the Tar-Pamlico region.
From the NC PurpleHeart site-- At Lt. Gilbert Elliott's boatyard, Potter's men destroyed what would have been an ironclad gunboat and also a smaller gunboat.
At a later time, there was an unsuccessful attack on Elliott's ironclad at Scotland Neck. the CSS Albemarle.
I have to wonder what the Tarboro's name would be" Perhaps the Tar or Pamlico, considering the names given to the two other non-Wilmington ironclads.
Here Comes the CSS Pamlico? --Old B-Runner
This first mention was from The Civil War Naval Chronology.
From the Learn NC site-- Union raid under Gen. Edward Potter reached Tarboro July 20th (1863) and destroyed a Confederate ironclad under construction as well as various military and civilian property.
From web.cortland site-- There was an improvised shipyard across the river from Tarboro where the Confederate Navy was building an ironclad gunboat similar to the CSS Virginia.
Potter's Raid on Tarboro captured and burned the steamboats General Hill and Governor Moreland and burned the partially built framework of an ironclad. This ended Confederate efforts to build an ironclad to protect the Tar-Pamlico region.
From the NC PurpleHeart site-- At Lt. Gilbert Elliott's boatyard, Potter's men destroyed what would have been an ironclad gunboat and also a smaller gunboat.
At a later time, there was an unsuccessful attack on Elliott's ironclad at Scotland Neck. the CSS Albemarle.
I have to wonder what the Tarboro's name would be" Perhaps the Tar or Pamlico, considering the names given to the two other non-Wilmington ironclads.
Here Comes the CSS Pamlico? --Old B-Runner
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 6th, 1863-- Confederate Ships in NC
APRIL 6TH
Captain William F. Lynch, CSN, wrote Senator George Davis on NC from Wilmington regarding the status of ships being built in North Carolina. "One ironclad, the North Carolina, building here, is very nearly ready for her crew....The other, the Raleigh, is now ready for her iron shield, and can in eight weeks be prepared for service, as far as the material is concerned.
At Whitehall, upon the Neuse, we have a gunboat [Neuse] in nearly the same state of forwardness as the Raleigh; at Tarboro we have one with the frame up, the keel of one [Albemarle] is laid near Scotland Neck...."
I was unaware of any gunboat/ironclad being built at Tarboro. I'll have to do some research.
Old B-R'er
Captain William F. Lynch, CSN, wrote Senator George Davis on NC from Wilmington regarding the status of ships being built in North Carolina. "One ironclad, the North Carolina, building here, is very nearly ready for her crew....The other, the Raleigh, is now ready for her iron shield, and can in eight weeks be prepared for service, as far as the material is concerned.
At Whitehall, upon the Neuse, we have a gunboat [Neuse] in nearly the same state of forwardness as the Raleigh; at Tarboro we have one with the frame up, the keel of one [Albemarle] is laid near Scotland Neck...."
I was unaware of any gunboat/ironclad being built at Tarboro. I'll have to do some research.
Old B-R'er
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 5th to 6th, 1863-- Last Preps for Charleston Attack
APRIL 5TH
With ironclads and enough steamers to take them in tow if any were knocked out of action, Du Pont departed North Edisto for Charleston, arriving off that port in the afternoon. As a last preparation, the Stono bar was buoyed to fix a safe channel. Two monitors remained inside the bar to protect those buoys.
APRIL 6TH
The USS Pawnee reported the Stono Bar had been buoyed. Du Pont croseed the bar in his flagship, the USS New Ironsides, intending to attack this day. He had with him the monitors Passaic, Weehawken, Montauk, Patapsco, Catskill, Nantucket, Nahant and Keokuk.
After reaching anchorage inside the bar, Du Pont found the weather so hazy that they couldn't see ranges and the pilots declined to go farther.
Old B-Runner
With ironclads and enough steamers to take them in tow if any were knocked out of action, Du Pont departed North Edisto for Charleston, arriving off that port in the afternoon. As a last preparation, the Stono bar was buoyed to fix a safe channel. Two monitors remained inside the bar to protect those buoys.
APRIL 6TH
The USS Pawnee reported the Stono Bar had been buoyed. Du Pont croseed the bar in his flagship, the USS New Ironsides, intending to attack this day. He had with him the monitors Passaic, Weehawken, Montauk, Patapsco, Catskill, Nantucket, Nahant and Keokuk.
After reaching anchorage inside the bar, Du Pont found the weather so hazy that they couldn't see ranges and the pilots declined to go farther.
Old B-Runner
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 4th; Final Preps for Charleston Attack
Rear Admiral Du Pont issued his order of battle and attack on Charleston, SC. "...the squadron will pass up the main ship channel without returning the fire of the batteries on Morris Island.... The ships will open fire on Fort Sumter within easy range...and engage its left or northeast face at a distance from 600 to 800 yards firing low....After the reduction of Fort Sumter it is probable that the next point of attack will be the batteries on Morris Island."
President Lincoln on harbor defense. He wanted "a steam ram, built so as to sacrifice nearly all capacity for carrying to those of speed and strength....her business would be to guard a particular harbour, as a Bull-dog guards his master's door."
CSS Alabama captured the ship Louise Hatch off the coast of Brazil with a cargo of coal. Semmes took it with him to afford a ready supply of coal. Good thing as an expected supply ship didn't show up. Semmes burned the ship April 17th.
Old B-Runner
President Lincoln on harbor defense. He wanted "a steam ram, built so as to sacrifice nearly all capacity for carrying to those of speed and strength....her business would be to guard a particular harbour, as a Bull-dog guards his master's door."
CSS Alabama captured the ship Louise Hatch off the coast of Brazil with a cargo of coal. Semmes took it with him to afford a ready supply of coal. Good thing as an expected supply ship didn't show up. Semmes burned the ship April 17th.
Old B-Runner
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 2nd: Smaller Operations
APRIL 2ND TO 9TH
An armed boat expedition of sailors and Marines from the USS Fort Henry, reconnoitered Bayport, Florida. Arrived April 3rd. One launch did not operate well and the Confederates had ample time to prepare for the attack, or, as leader Acting Lt. McCauley wrote "gave the rebels leisure to make all preparations for our reception." Two Confederate sloops and two small schooners ran into a bayou and grounded to escape destruction. The sloop Helen, carrying corn, was captured and destroyed.
Union sailors engaged a battery and forced its evacuation and burned a schooner with cargo of cotton before withdrawing.
In the next week, the expedition reconnoitered the Chassahowitzka, Crystal, Homosassa, Withlacooche, Waccasssassa and Suwannee rivers as small boats carried Union sea power to areas larger ships couldn't go.
APRIL 3RD
A Union expedition destroyed Palmyra, Tennessee, in retaliation for Confederate guerrillas firing on a Union convoy April 2nd which crippled the USS St. Clair and damaging two Union Army transports.
Getting Back at Them. --Old B-R'er
An armed boat expedition of sailors and Marines from the USS Fort Henry, reconnoitered Bayport, Florida. Arrived April 3rd. One launch did not operate well and the Confederates had ample time to prepare for the attack, or, as leader Acting Lt. McCauley wrote "gave the rebels leisure to make all preparations for our reception." Two Confederate sloops and two small schooners ran into a bayou and grounded to escape destruction. The sloop Helen, carrying corn, was captured and destroyed.
Union sailors engaged a battery and forced its evacuation and burned a schooner with cargo of cotton before withdrawing.
In the next week, the expedition reconnoitered the Chassahowitzka, Crystal, Homosassa, Withlacooche, Waccasssassa and Suwannee rivers as small boats carried Union sea power to areas larger ships couldn't go.
APRIL 3RD
A Union expedition destroyed Palmyra, Tennessee, in retaliation for Confederate guerrillas firing on a Union convoy April 2nd which crippled the USS St. Clair and damaging two Union Army transports.
Getting Back at Them. --Old B-R'er
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 1st to April 2nd,1863-- Preparations for Charleston Attack
APRIL 1ST
Preparations for the naval attack on Charleston, SC, enter their final week. Du Pont sent ironclads Passaic, Montaul, Patapsco and Keokuk to the North Edisto River. Gunboat Sebago to Calibogue Sound to cover western approach to naval base at Hilton Head Island.
Du Pont was to take personal command of the Charleston assault. He left April 2nd on the USS James Adger to that point.
The USS Tuscumbia with Porter, Grant and Sherman on board, reconnoitered the Yazoo River to determine practicality of landing a force at Haynes' Bluff. They decided not.
APRIL 2ND
Fox wrote Porter that Lincoln was "rather disgusted with the flanking expeditions [at Yazoo Pass and Steele's Bayou] and predicted their failure from the first." In other words, get a move on.
Lincoln informed Welles that he wanted Farragut's force strengthened and Welles wrote Du Pont to send all of his ironclads but two to Farragut after the Charleston attack.
Old B-Runner
Preparations for the naval attack on Charleston, SC, enter their final week. Du Pont sent ironclads Passaic, Montaul, Patapsco and Keokuk to the North Edisto River. Gunboat Sebago to Calibogue Sound to cover western approach to naval base at Hilton Head Island.
Du Pont was to take personal command of the Charleston assault. He left April 2nd on the USS James Adger to that point.
The USS Tuscumbia with Porter, Grant and Sherman on board, reconnoitered the Yazoo River to determine practicality of landing a force at Haynes' Bluff. They decided not.
APRIL 2ND
Fox wrote Porter that Lincoln was "rather disgusted with the flanking expeditions [at Yazoo Pass and Steele's Bayou] and predicted their failure from the first." In other words, get a move on.
Lincoln informed Welles that he wanted Farragut's force strengthened and Welles wrote Du Pont to send all of his ironclads but two to Farragut after the Charleston attack.
Old B-Runner
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
150th Anniversary of the St. Andrew Skirmish
March 20, 1863
Throughout the war, continuous raids along the coast of the Confederacy were made. Most of them were very small and this was one of them. St. Andrew was the original name of Panama City, Florida, and we spend several weeks in Panama City Beach every winter. We have been by the marker for this site on several occasions, right along the waterfront.
Confederate infantry surprised an 11-man landing party from the USS Roebuck and ordered them to surrender. They refused and several Union sailors were killed and wounded while fleeing to their launch boat.
Six dead and three wounded. Four of the dead were buried at Harrison Island and a fifth was buried by the Confederates. No casualties were reported by the Confederates, who later became Co. A of the 11th Florida Infantry.
The remains of the sailors were later removed to the National Cemetery at Fort Barrancas by Pensacola, Florida.
Old B-Runner
Throughout the war, continuous raids along the coast of the Confederacy were made. Most of them were very small and this was one of them. St. Andrew was the original name of Panama City, Florida, and we spend several weeks in Panama City Beach every winter. We have been by the marker for this site on several occasions, right along the waterfront.
Confederate infantry surprised an 11-man landing party from the USS Roebuck and ordered them to surrender. They refused and several Union sailors were killed and wounded while fleeing to their launch boat.
Six dead and three wounded. Four of the dead were buried at Harrison Island and a fifth was buried by the Confederates. No casualties were reported by the Confederates, who later became Co. A of the 11th Florida Infantry.
The remains of the sailors were later removed to the National Cemetery at Fort Barrancas by Pensacola, Florida.
Old B-Runner
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