DECEMBER 7TH:
The steamer Chesapeake, en route from New York to Portland, Maine, was seized by a group of 17 Confederate "passengers" led by John C. Braine.
The undertaking had been plannned in St. John, New Brunswick. Braine and his men went to New York where they purchased side arms and boarded the ship as passengers.
A brief shooting match while at sea resulted in the death of one crew member. They intended to make a run for Wilmington after coaling in Nova Scotia.
The planner of the attack, Captain John Parker (but whose name might have been Vernon G. Locke, former commander of the Confederate privateer Retribution) came on board in the Bay of Fundy and took command.
News of the capture quickly spread and navy ships from Philadelphia northward were ordered to pursue the Chesapeake. On December 17, the USS Ella and Annie (former blockade runner Ella and Annie) recaptured the Chesapeake in Sambro Harbor, Nova Scotia, and it was taken to Halifax where it was restored to its former owners.
Most of the Confederates escaped and John Braine would live to cause more problems for the Union later in the war.
A Bold Confederate Move. --Old B-Runner
Monday, December 9, 2013
U.S. Navy Report for 1863-- Part 2
DECEMBER 7, 1863:
Welles also reported that the Navy had 34,000 seamen and 588 ships displacing 467,967 tons mounting 4,443 guns. More than 1,000 ships had been captured by the blockaders.
The Navy had helped sever the Confederacy along the Mississippi River, pierced ever deeper into its interior and capable of launching amphibious assaults pretty much anywhere it wanted. The increased pressure of the blockade continue to raise pressure on the Confederate economy and millitary effort.
--Old B-R'er
Welles also reported that the Navy had 34,000 seamen and 588 ships displacing 467,967 tons mounting 4,443 guns. More than 1,000 ships had been captured by the blockaders.
The Navy had helped sever the Confederacy along the Mississippi River, pierced ever deeper into its interior and capable of launching amphibious assaults pretty much anywhere it wanted. The increased pressure of the blockade continue to raise pressure on the Confederate economy and millitary effort.
--Old B-R'er
USS United States/CSS United States-- Part 2: Civil War Service
From 1849 to the Civil War, the United States lay in ordinary at Norfolk, rotting away. On April 20, 1861, Confederates seized the Navy Yard at Norfolk and the ship was not burned before sinking under the belief it was just a worthless hulk. However, Confederates were desperate for any kind of a ship and had it pumped out and raised by April 29th.
It was commissioned the CSS United States, but often referred to as the CSS Confederate States. In June, it was fitted out as a receiving ship with a 19-gun deck battery for harbor defense.
It was sunk in the Elizabeth River as an obstruction when the Confederates abandoned the Navy Yard in May 1862. The ship's timbers were still strong as evidenced by the loss of a whole box of axes in the attempt to scuttle. Eventually, holes had to be bored in the hull to accomplish it.
The Union raised the ship and towed it to Norfolk where it remained until March 1864 when the Bureau of Construction and Repair decided to break her up and sell the wood.
Quite the Ship. --Old B-Runner
It was commissioned the CSS United States, but often referred to as the CSS Confederate States. In June, it was fitted out as a receiving ship with a 19-gun deck battery for harbor defense.
It was sunk in the Elizabeth River as an obstruction when the Confederates abandoned the Navy Yard in May 1862. The ship's timbers were still strong as evidenced by the loss of a whole box of axes in the attempt to scuttle. Eventually, holes had to be bored in the hull to accomplish it.
The Union raised the ship and towed it to Norfolk where it remained until March 1864 when the Bureau of Construction and Repair decided to break her up and sell the wood.
Quite the Ship. --Old B-Runner
USS United States/CSS United States-- Part 1
In the last post I mentioned that William Lewis Maury served aboard the CSS United States at Wilmington, NC. I'd never heard of a CSS United States (or would it be CSS U.S,?) at Wilmington. More research was required so good old Wikipedia.
It turns out that the ship had quite the history and had not been at the Confederate Wilmington, NC..
The USS United States was one of the 6 original 1797 U.S. Navy frigates (including the USS Constitution). It was launched 10 May 1797, weighed 1576 tons, 175 feet long and mounted 32 long 24-pdrs and 24 42-pdr carronades.
It fought in the Quasi War with France and in the War of 1812 was under the command of naval hero Stephen Decatur and became famous for its victory over the HMS Macedonian. It also saw service in the 2nd barbary War and Mexican War. Famed author Hermann Melville (Moby Dick) enlisted on the ship in 1843.
Quite a History Even before the Civil War. --Old B-R'er
It turns out that the ship had quite the history and had not been at the Confederate Wilmington, NC..
The USS United States was one of the 6 original 1797 U.S. Navy frigates (including the USS Constitution). It was launched 10 May 1797, weighed 1576 tons, 175 feet long and mounted 32 long 24-pdrs and 24 42-pdr carronades.
It fought in the Quasi War with France and in the War of 1812 was under the command of naval hero Stephen Decatur and became famous for its victory over the HMS Macedonian. It also saw service in the 2nd barbary War and Mexican War. Famed author Hermann Melville (Moby Dick) enlisted on the ship in 1843.
Quite a History Even before the Civil War. --Old B-R'er
William Lewis Maury: CSN-- Part 2: Was He Related?
Continued from Oct. 30, 2013. William L. Maury served in the U.S. Naval Observatory under his cousin, Matthew Fontaine Maury and charted seas. worked with cartography and recorded astronomical observations.
The book Recollections of a Rebel reefer, written in 1917, was about him aned and the cruise of his ship, the commerce raider CSS Georgia.
From Find-a-Grave.
He was named after his uncle, William Lewis Herndon (the first U.S. Navy officer to explore the entire Amazon River and who went down with his ship, the steamer SS Central America, on September 12, 1857, in a three-day hurricane off Cape Hatteras).
William Maury married his cousin Ann Fontaine Maury, the daughter of Matthew Fontaine Maury, in 1856. He resigned from the U.S. Navy on June 10, 1861 and commanded a naval battery at Sewell'l Point, Virginia, and was later stationed at Wilmington, NC, serving on the CSS United States. (Bet there is an interesting story here with a ship's name like that.)
In 1862, he was stationed at Charleston in the torpedo service. Promoted to commander on Feb. 17, 1863, and went on "vacation" to Dumbarton, Scotland, where he oversaw the refitting of the merchant ship Clyde which had been secretly been purchased by the Confederacy. He sailed it to Brest, France, where the ship was commissioned the CSS Georgia which, during its cruise, destroyed Union ships worth $406,000 in value.
He is buried at Lakewood Cemetery at Bowling Green, Virginia.
I Thought He Might Be Related. --Old B-Runner
The book Recollections of a Rebel reefer, written in 1917, was about him aned and the cruise of his ship, the commerce raider CSS Georgia.
From Find-a-Grave.
He was named after his uncle, William Lewis Herndon (the first U.S. Navy officer to explore the entire Amazon River and who went down with his ship, the steamer SS Central America, on September 12, 1857, in a three-day hurricane off Cape Hatteras).
William Maury married his cousin Ann Fontaine Maury, the daughter of Matthew Fontaine Maury, in 1856. He resigned from the U.S. Navy on June 10, 1861 and commanded a naval battery at Sewell'l Point, Virginia, and was later stationed at Wilmington, NC, serving on the CSS United States. (Bet there is an interesting story here with a ship's name like that.)
In 1862, he was stationed at Charleston in the torpedo service. Promoted to commander on Feb. 17, 1863, and went on "vacation" to Dumbarton, Scotland, where he oversaw the refitting of the merchant ship Clyde which had been secretly been purchased by the Confederacy. He sailed it to Brest, France, where the ship was commissioned the CSS Georgia which, during its cruise, destroyed Union ships worth $406,000 in value.
He is buried at Lakewood Cemetery at Bowling Green, Virginia.
I Thought He Might Be Related. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Remembering Pearl Harbor
It was 72 years ago and one of those generational moments. I was not even born until ten years later, but always observe it. I am listing the name of one American who died that day in every blog. These were all men from Michigan's Upper Peninsula:
FRANCIS A. CYCHOSZ of Bessemer, Michigan. On the USS Arizona. His brother Raymond was later severely wounded while serving in the famed 10th Mountain Division in Italy.
The Greatest Generation. --Old B-R'er
FRANCIS A. CYCHOSZ of Bessemer, Michigan. On the USS Arizona. His brother Raymond was later severely wounded while serving in the famed 10th Mountain Division in Italy.
The Greatest Generation. --Old B-R'er
U.S. Navy Report for 1863-- Part 1: That's A Lot to Cover
DECEMBER 7, 1863:
In his third annual report to President Lincoln, Gideon Welles wrote: "A blockade commencing at Alexandria, in Virginia, and terminating at the Rio Grande, has been effectively maintained.
"The extent of this blockade...covers a distance of three thousand five hundred and forty-nine statute miles, with one hundred and eighty-nine harbor or pier openings or indentations, and much of the coast presents a double shore to be guarded...a naval force of more than one hundred vessels has been employed in patrolling the rivers, cutting off rebel supplies, and co-operating with the armies....
"The distance thus traversed and patrolled by the gunboats on the Mississippi and its tributaries is 3,615 miles, and the sounds, bayous, rivers and inlets of the States upon the Atlantic and the Gulf, covering an extent of about 2,000 miles, have also been ... watched with unceasing vigilance."
Like I Said, A Blockaders' Work Is never Done. --Old B-Runner
In his third annual report to President Lincoln, Gideon Welles wrote: "A blockade commencing at Alexandria, in Virginia, and terminating at the Rio Grande, has been effectively maintained.
"The extent of this blockade...covers a distance of three thousand five hundred and forty-nine statute miles, with one hundred and eighty-nine harbor or pier openings or indentations, and much of the coast presents a double shore to be guarded...a naval force of more than one hundred vessels has been employed in patrolling the rivers, cutting off rebel supplies, and co-operating with the armies....
"The distance thus traversed and patrolled by the gunboats on the Mississippi and its tributaries is 3,615 miles, and the sounds, bayous, rivers and inlets of the States upon the Atlantic and the Gulf, covering an extent of about 2,000 miles, have also been ... watched with unceasing vigilance."
Like I Said, A Blockaders' Work Is never Done. --Old B-Runner
150 Years Ago-- Dec. 5-6, 1863: USS Weehawken Sinks
DECEMBER 5TH: Boat crew from the USS Perry is captured while reconnoitering Murrell's Inlet, SC, to determine if there was ship outfitting there to run the blockade. Another boat crew from the USS T.A. Ward had also been captured in the area a couple months earlier.
Dahlgren isn't happy about this, but added: "These blunders are very annoying, and yet I do not like to discourage enterprise and dash on the part of out officers and men. Better to suffer from the excess than the deficiencies of these qualities."
DECEMBER 6TH: The monitor USS Weehawken sank while tied up to a buoy inside the bar at Charleston Harbor. The ship had recently taken on an extra load of heavy ammunition which reduced the freeboard forward considerably. The pumps were unable to handle the rush of water and the ship sank quickly, drowning some two dozen officers and sailors.
** USS Violet and Aries sighted blockade-running steamer Ceres aground and burning at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, NC. During the night the Ceres floated free, the flames being extinguished, and was seized by the Violet.
Oh Boy, Prize Money. --Old B-R'er
Watch Out for Those Sneaky Confederate Torpedo Boats
DECEMBER 3, 1863: Rear Adniral Dahlgren issued orders for vigorous enforcement of the blockade and extreme vigilance against Confederate torpedo boats: "Picket duty is to be performed by four monitors, two for each night, one of which is to be well advanced up the harbor, in a position suitable for preventing the entrance or departure of any vessel attempting to pass in or out of Charleston Harbor, and for observing Sumter and Moultrie, or movements in and about them, taking care at the same time not to get aground, and also to change position when the weather appears to render it unsafe.
The second monitor is to keep within proper supporting distance of the first, so as to render aid if needed."
He added: "The general object of the monitors, tugs, and boats on picket is to enforce the blockade rigorously, and to watch and check the movements of the enemy by water whenever it can be done, particularly to detect and destroy the torpedo boats and the picket boats of the rebels."
A Blockader's Work Is Never Done. --Old B-Runner
The second monitor is to keep within proper supporting distance of the first, so as to render aid if needed."
He added: "The general object of the monitors, tugs, and boats on picket is to enforce the blockade rigorously, and to watch and check the movements of the enemy by water whenever it can be done, particularly to detect and destroy the torpedo boats and the picket boats of the rebels."
A Blockader's Work Is Never Done. --Old B-Runner
Friday, December 6, 2013
Cavallo Pass, Texas
From the Texas State Historical Association.
Yesterday, I wrote about a gun crew from the USS Monongahela assisting the Army at Pass Cavallo, Texas. Not being very familiar with the Texas coast, I had to investigate further.
Also referred to as Pass Cavallo, it connects Matagordo Bay with the Gulf of Mexico between Matagordo Island and Matagordo Peninsula in southeast Calhoun County.
In the 19th century it was a major port of entry to the interior of Texas. Cotton, cattle, molasses, lumber, potatoes and corn were shipped from it. A reported 10,000 to 12,000 bales of cotton were shipped from Lavaca and Indianola in 1852 alone.
A lighthouse was built on Matagordo Island in 1852.
Federal forces captured Cavallo Pass and Matagordo Island in 1863 (the entry) Most of the troops were later withdrawn in March 1864 to join General Banks' Red River Campaign.
Some confusion as to Matagordo or Matagordo as the correct spelling.
--Old B-R'er
Yesterday, I wrote about a gun crew from the USS Monongahela assisting the Army at Pass Cavallo, Texas. Not being very familiar with the Texas coast, I had to investigate further.
Also referred to as Pass Cavallo, it connects Matagordo Bay with the Gulf of Mexico between Matagordo Island and Matagordo Peninsula in southeast Calhoun County.
In the 19th century it was a major port of entry to the interior of Texas. Cotton, cattle, molasses, lumber, potatoes and corn were shipped from it. A reported 10,000 to 12,000 bales of cotton were shipped from Lavaca and Indianola in 1852 alone.
A lighthouse was built on Matagordo Island in 1852.
Federal forces captured Cavallo Pass and Matagordo Island in 1863 (the entry) Most of the troops were later withdrawn in March 1864 to join General Banks' Red River Campaign.
Some confusion as to Matagordo or Matagordo as the correct spelling.
--Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- December 2-3, 1863: Salt Works and Blockade Runners
DECEMBER 2ND:
Boat expedition from the USS Restless reconnoitered Lake Ocala, Florida. They found salt works in the area and destroyed them with the report: "They were in the practice of turning out 130 bushels of salt daily."
Besides this, they destroyed the boilers and threw a large quantity of salt into the lake. Two large flatboats and 6 ox carts were demolished and 17 prisoners taken. These destructive raids took place continuously along the Southern coast and had a lasting negative effect on the Confederate war effort.
DECEMBER 3RD:
The USS New London captured the blockade runner schooner Del Nile near Padre Pass Island, Texas, with cargo of coffee, sugar and percussion caps.
--Old B-Runner
Boat expedition from the USS Restless reconnoitered Lake Ocala, Florida. They found salt works in the area and destroyed them with the report: "They were in the practice of turning out 130 bushels of salt daily."
Besides this, they destroyed the boilers and threw a large quantity of salt into the lake. Two large flatboats and 6 ox carts were demolished and 17 prisoners taken. These destructive raids took place continuously along the Southern coast and had a lasting negative effect on the Confederate war effort.
DECEMBER 3RD:
The USS New London captured the blockade runner schooner Del Nile near Padre Pass Island, Texas, with cargo of coffee, sugar and percussion caps.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, December 5, 2013
More on Confederate Activity At Mobile Bay
DECEMBER 2ND, 1863:
Furthermore, in Mobile Bay, the Confederates had two floating batteries mounting three guns each and ten transport steamers. Bell's report also noted: "At Selma there is a large vessel building, to be launched in January. There are three large rams building on the Tombigbee River, to be launched during the winter."
Rear Admiral Farragut would face just four of these ships (Tennessee, Selma, Gaines and Morgan) in his attack on Mobile in August 1864. Lack of machinery, iron and skilled worers prevented the others from being in the battle.
--Old B-Runner
Furthermore, in Mobile Bay, the Confederates had two floating batteries mounting three guns each and ten transport steamers. Bell's report also noted: "At Selma there is a large vessel building, to be launched in January. There are three large rams building on the Tombigbee River, to be launched during the winter."
Rear Admiral Farragut would face just four of these ships (Tennessee, Selma, Gaines and Morgan) in his attack on Mobile in August 1864. Lack of machinery, iron and skilled worers prevented the others from being in the battle.
--Old B-Runner
150 Years Ago-- December 2, 1863: Confederate Operations at Mobile Bay
DECEMBER 2ND:
Rear Admiral Porter reports that his gunboats have achieved great success operating along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. His ships had covered Sherman's corps' crossing of the river that led to the great success at Chattanooga.
The Mississippi Squadron continues to patrol the rivers and restricting Confederate movements who continue to attempt to build batteries along the banks.
** Commodore H.H. Bell, acting commander of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron reports on Confederate naval activity in Mobile Bay. The CSS Gaines and Morgan mounted ten guns, the CSS Selma four as did the nearly completed ironclad CSS Nashville. All were sidewheelers.
Ironclad rams CSS Baltic, Huntsville and Tennessee all mounted four guns. The Tennessee was Admiral Buchanan's flagship and was "strong and fast." The CSS Gunnison was fitted as a torpedo boat with 150 pounds of powder and another screw steamer was reported as fitting out, though a fire had destroyed its upper works.
Busy Confeds. --Old B-R'er
Rear Admiral Porter reports that his gunboats have achieved great success operating along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. His ships had covered Sherman's corps' crossing of the river that led to the great success at Chattanooga.
The Mississippi Squadron continues to patrol the rivers and restricting Confederate movements who continue to attempt to build batteries along the banks.
** Commodore H.H. Bell, acting commander of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron reports on Confederate naval activity in Mobile Bay. The CSS Gaines and Morgan mounted ten guns, the CSS Selma four as did the nearly completed ironclad CSS Nashville. All were sidewheelers.
Ironclad rams CSS Baltic, Huntsville and Tennessee all mounted four guns. The Tennessee was Admiral Buchanan's flagship and was "strong and fast." The CSS Gunnison was fitted as a torpedo boat with 150 pounds of powder and another screw steamer was reported as fitting out, though a fire had destroyed its upper works.
Busy Confeds. --Old B-R'er
State of Confederate Naval Affairs November 1863
NOVEMBER 30TH:
Mallory noted that there were presently 693 officers and 2,250 enlisted men in the Confederate Navy. Union victories at Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Yazoo River had ended department efforts at constructing ships there, but, construction was "making good progress at Richmond, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, on the Roanoke, Peedee, Chattahoochee and Alabama Rivers...."
Two major problems Mallory faced the whole war was acquiring the skilled labor necessary to build the ships as well as adequate iron to clad them. This was not a factor in the industrial North.
Confederate naval forces not only manned ships, but also shore batteries. On this date, Mallory praised the naval command at Drewry's Bluff guarding the James River approach to Richmond. He wrote that the battery: "composed of seamen and marines, is in a high state of efficiency, and the river obstructions are believed to be sufficient, in connection with the shore and submarine batteries, to prevent passage of the enemy's ships. An active force is employed on submarine batteries and torpedoes."
Not Only Did Richmond Have to Be Guarded On Land, But By Water As Well. --Old B-Runner
Mallory noted that there were presently 693 officers and 2,250 enlisted men in the Confederate Navy. Union victories at Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Yazoo River had ended department efforts at constructing ships there, but, construction was "making good progress at Richmond, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, on the Roanoke, Peedee, Chattahoochee and Alabama Rivers...."
Two major problems Mallory faced the whole war was acquiring the skilled labor necessary to build the ships as well as adequate iron to clad them. This was not a factor in the industrial North.
Confederate naval forces not only manned ships, but also shore batteries. On this date, Mallory praised the naval command at Drewry's Bluff guarding the James River approach to Richmond. He wrote that the battery: "composed of seamen and marines, is in a high state of efficiency, and the river obstructions are believed to be sufficient, in connection with the shore and submarine batteries, to prevent passage of the enemy's ships. An active force is employed on submarine batteries and torpedoes."
Not Only Did Richmond Have to Be Guarded On Land, But By Water As Well. --Old B-Runner
150 Years Ago-- November 29-30, 1863: Training Confederate Officers
NOVEMBER 29TH:
At the request of General Banks, a gun crew from the USS Monongahela went ashore to man howitzers in support of an Army attack on Pass Cavallo, Texas.
NOVEMBER 30TH: Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory emphasized the importance of proper training for naval officers. He wrote: "The naval powers of the earth are bestowing peculiar care upon the education of their officers, now more than ever demanded by the changes in all the elements of naval warfare.
Appointed from civil life and possessing generally but little knowledge of the duties of an officer and rarely even the vocabulary of their profession they have heretofore been sent to vessels or batteries where it is impossible for them to obtain a knowledge of its most important branches, which can be best, if not only, acquired by methodical study."
--Old B-Runner
At the request of General Banks, a gun crew from the USS Monongahela went ashore to man howitzers in support of an Army attack on Pass Cavallo, Texas.
NOVEMBER 30TH: Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory emphasized the importance of proper training for naval officers. He wrote: "The naval powers of the earth are bestowing peculiar care upon the education of their officers, now more than ever demanded by the changes in all the elements of naval warfare.
Appointed from civil life and possessing generally but little knowledge of the duties of an officer and rarely even the vocabulary of their profession they have heretofore been sent to vessels or batteries where it is impossible for them to obtain a knowledge of its most important branches, which can be best, if not only, acquired by methodical study."
--Old B-Runner
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