From Wikipedia.
The last post earlier today was about the crew of the CSS Alabama having a less than great time during their shore leave on Johanna Island. I'd never heard of it, but Captain Semmes described it as located between Africa and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. I looked it up on Yahoo!.
Anjouan is also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani and historically as Johanna. Today it is a part of the Union of Comoros.
No doubt the crew did not have a good time because the inhabitants are mostly Sunni Islam with very strict rules against alcohol and sex. A big reason for the Alabama stopping there is that the island was under French protection (who didn't cowtow to American pressure as much as Britain).
So, That's Why. No Fun for the Alabama's Crew. --Old B-R'er
Friday, February 14, 2014
CSS Alabama's Crew Gets a Lousy "Port Call"
FEBRUARY 9TH, 1864:
The Alabama's crew was really looking forward to getting a rare port call to go ashore and let off some steam on this date when the ship put in at the island of Johanna between Africa and Madagascar for provisions.
Captain Semmes later wrote: "I gave my sailors a run on shore, but this sort of 'liberty' was awful hard for Jack (his sailors). There was no such thing as a glass of grog to be found in the whole town, and as for a fiddle, and Sal (women) for a partner-- all of which would have been a matter of course in civilized countries-- there were no such luxuries to be thought of.
"They found it a difficult matter to get through with the day, and were all down at the beach long before sunset-- the hour appointed for their coming off-- waiting for the approach of the welcome boat.
"I told Kell (his lieutenant) to let them go on shore as often as they pleased, but no one made a second application."
What, No Alcohol, Music and Women??!! Might As Well Stay On the Lousy Ship!!! --Old B-Runner
The Alabama's crew was really looking forward to getting a rare port call to go ashore and let off some steam on this date when the ship put in at the island of Johanna between Africa and Madagascar for provisions.
Captain Semmes later wrote: "I gave my sailors a run on shore, but this sort of 'liberty' was awful hard for Jack (his sailors). There was no such thing as a glass of grog to be found in the whole town, and as for a fiddle, and Sal (women) for a partner-- all of which would have been a matter of course in civilized countries-- there were no such luxuries to be thought of.
"They found it a difficult matter to get through with the day, and were all down at the beach long before sunset-- the hour appointed for their coming off-- waiting for the approach of the welcome boat.
"I told Kell (his lieutenant) to let them go on shore as often as they pleased, but no one made a second application."
What, No Alcohol, Music and Women??!! Might As Well Stay On the Lousy Ship!!! --Old B-Runner
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Update on Confederate "Coal" Torpedoes-- Part 1
FEBRUARY 9TH, 1864:
The USS Jacob Bell took on board six refugees off Blackstone Island, Virginia. One of them was Joseph Lenty, an Englishman, who had worked at Richmond for four years and had information about refiinement of Confederate torpedoes: '....they are now making a shell which looks exactly like a piece of coal, pieces of which were taken from a coal pile as patterns to imitate.
"I have made these shells myself. I believe these shells have power enough to burst any boiler. After they were thrown in a coal pile I could not tell the difference between them and coal myself."
I am wondering whether this Joseph Lenty was black or white?
--Old B-R'er
The USS Jacob Bell took on board six refugees off Blackstone Island, Virginia. One of them was Joseph Lenty, an Englishman, who had worked at Richmond for four years and had information about refiinement of Confederate torpedoes: '....they are now making a shell which looks exactly like a piece of coal, pieces of which were taken from a coal pile as patterns to imitate.
"I have made these shells myself. I believe these shells have power enough to burst any boiler. After they were thrown in a coal pile I could not tell the difference between them and coal myself."
I am wondering whether this Joseph Lenty was black or white?
--Old B-R'er
Union Army Gunboat Smith Briggs
In my Saw the Elephant Civil War Blog, I have been writing about the Battle of Smithfield, Virginia, in which the Army gunboat Smith Briggs was sunk. Most people do not know that the Union Army operated their own gunboats (I just learned myself) and that they also had transports.
I have been writing about them this past week.
--Old B-Runner
I have been writing about them this past week.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
150 Years Ago-- February 7-8th: How to Fight a Monitor
FEBRUARY 7TH:
Confederate steamer St. Mary's, trapped in McGirt's Creek, above Jacksonville, Florida, by the USS Norwich was sunk with cargo of cotton to prevent it falling into Union hands.
FEBRAURY 8TH:
Commander Catesby ap R. Jones, commanding the Confederate Naval Gun Factory at Selma, Alabama, wrote Adnmiral Franklin Buchanan in Mobile of the fighting qualities of the Union monitors: "The revolving turret enables the monitor class to bring their guns to bear without reference to the movements or turning of the vessel. You who fought the Virginia know well how to appreciate that great advantage. You doubtless recollect how often I reported to you that we could not bring one of her ten guns to bear.
In fighting that class, it is very important to prevent the turret from revolving, which I think may be done either with the VII-inch or 6.4-inch rifles or 64 pounder, providing their projectiles strike the turret at or near its base where it joins the deck....
If the turret is prevented from revolving, the vessel is less than efficient than one with the same guns having the ordinary ports, as the monitor's ports are so small that the guns can not be trained except by the helm." Of course, besides revolving, the two cannons in the turret were extremely powerful.
Buchanan commanded the CSS Virginia in its epic battle with the USS Monitor on the first day. Catesby ap R. Jones took command on the second day's fight after Buchanan was wounded.
--Old B-Runner
Confederate steamer St. Mary's, trapped in McGirt's Creek, above Jacksonville, Florida, by the USS Norwich was sunk with cargo of cotton to prevent it falling into Union hands.
FEBRAURY 8TH:
Commander Catesby ap R. Jones, commanding the Confederate Naval Gun Factory at Selma, Alabama, wrote Adnmiral Franklin Buchanan in Mobile of the fighting qualities of the Union monitors: "The revolving turret enables the monitor class to bring their guns to bear without reference to the movements or turning of the vessel. You who fought the Virginia know well how to appreciate that great advantage. You doubtless recollect how often I reported to you that we could not bring one of her ten guns to bear.
In fighting that class, it is very important to prevent the turret from revolving, which I think may be done either with the VII-inch or 6.4-inch rifles or 64 pounder, providing their projectiles strike the turret at or near its base where it joins the deck....
If the turret is prevented from revolving, the vessel is less than efficient than one with the same guns having the ordinary ports, as the monitor's ports are so small that the guns can not be trained except by the helm." Of course, besides revolving, the two cannons in the turret were extremely powerful.
Buchanan commanded the CSS Virginia in its epic battle with the USS Monitor on the first day. Catesby ap R. Jones took command on the second day's fight after Buchanan was wounded.
--Old B-Runner
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Britain Grows Stronger While U.S. Shipping Wanes Thanks to Commerce Raiders
FEBRUARY 6TH, 1864:
Special Commissioner of the Confederate States A. Dudley Mann wrote Secretary of State Benjamin from London: "The iron hull is superceding the wooden hull just as steam is superceding canvas.
The rich and exhaustless ore fields and coal mines of the 'Island Giant', her numerous workshops and shipyards, the abundance and constant augmentation of her seamen, will probably in less than a score of years produce for her a mercantile navy three times as large as that of all the world besides.
The old American Union was her only rival in bottom carrying. That rival has disappeared."
Mann was referring to the fact that U.S. merchant vessels were increasingly sailing under foreign registry because of Southern commerce raiders.
--Old B-Runner
Special Commissioner of the Confederate States A. Dudley Mann wrote Secretary of State Benjamin from London: "The iron hull is superceding the wooden hull just as steam is superceding canvas.
The rich and exhaustless ore fields and coal mines of the 'Island Giant', her numerous workshops and shipyards, the abundance and constant augmentation of her seamen, will probably in less than a score of years produce for her a mercantile navy three times as large as that of all the world besides.
The old American Union was her only rival in bottom carrying. That rival has disappeared."
Mann was referring to the fact that U.S. merchant vessels were increasingly sailing under foreign registry because of Southern commerce raiders.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, February 6, 2014
150 Years Ago-- February 5-6, 1864: CSS Chicora Useless, Blockade-Runner Dee Destroyed
FEBRUARY 5TH, 1864: Captain John Tucker reported that the boiler of the CSS Chicora had given out and she could now only be used as a floating battery in the defense of Charleston Harbor.
FEBRUARY 6TH, 1864: The USS Cambridge found the blockade-runner Dee aground and in flames near Masonboro Inlet, NC. She had grounded the previous night and been set on fire to prevent capture. The Cambrideg completed its destruction with its cargo of lead, bacon and spirits.
--Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- February 2-22, 1864
FEBRUARY 2-22ND, 1864:
Major General Quincy Gilmore informed Admiral Dahlgren of SABS that he intended to put troops ashore by the St. John's River in Florda and asked for Navy assistance. He sent five naval vessels, including the USS Water Witch, to cover the attack and took personal command of the naval contingent.
The soldiers landed at Jacksonville, moved inland, captured field pieces and took a large quantity of cotton.
FEBRUARY 3RD, 1864:
Four Navy ships engaged Confederate batteries at Liverpool, Mississippi, on the Yazoo River to keep them from harassing Gen. Sherman's expedition to Meridian, Ms.. In the next two weeks, the ships pushed as far as Greenwood, Mississippi, engaging enemy troops.
FEBRUARY 4-5TH:
The USS Sassacus chased steamer Nutfield aground off New River Inlet, NC. Unable to get her off, the ship was destroyed after her cargo of quinine and Enfield rifles was recovered.
--Old B-Runner
Major General Quincy Gilmore informed Admiral Dahlgren of SABS that he intended to put troops ashore by the St. John's River in Florda and asked for Navy assistance. He sent five naval vessels, including the USS Water Witch, to cover the attack and took personal command of the naval contingent.
The soldiers landed at Jacksonville, moved inland, captured field pieces and took a large quantity of cotton.
FEBRUARY 3RD, 1864:
Four Navy ships engaged Confederate batteries at Liverpool, Mississippi, on the Yazoo River to keep them from harassing Gen. Sherman's expedition to Meridian, Ms.. In the next two weeks, the ships pushed as far as Greenwood, Mississippi, engaging enemy troops.
FEBRUARY 4-5TH:
The USS Sassacus chased steamer Nutfield aground off New River Inlet, NC. Unable to get her off, the ship was destroyed after her cargo of quinine and Enfield rifles was recovered.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Other Ships Lost off North Carolina's Coast in February
From NC WreckDiving site.
Feb. 2nd 1864: USS UNDERWRITER by New Bern
Feb. 7th, 1862: CSS CURLEW off Roanoke Island
February 10th, 1862: CSS SEA BIRD, CSS APPOMATTOX, CSS FANNY, CSS FORREST CSS BLACK WARRIOR by Elizabeth City, destroyed to prevent capture.
Feb. 25, 1862: R.B. FORBES Federal steamer off Currituck Banks.
--Old B-R'er
Feb. 2nd 1864: USS UNDERWRITER by New Bern
Feb. 7th, 1862: CSS CURLEW off Roanoke Island
February 10th, 1862: CSS SEA BIRD, CSS APPOMATTOX, CSS FANNY, CSS FORREST CSS BLACK WARRIOR by Elizabeth City, destroyed to prevent capture.
Feb. 25, 1862: R.B. FORBES Federal steamer off Currituck Banks.
--Old B-R'er
Early February 1864 a Particularly Bad Time for Blockade-Runners Near NC's Cape Fear River
From the NC WreckDiving site.
Six blockade-runners were lost between Feb. 1-9, 1864, near Wilmington, NC, an extremely high number with February 9th especially bad with three lost.
Feb. 1st: WILD DAYRELL at Stump Inlet
Feb. 4th: NUTFIELD at New River Inlet
Feb. 6th: DEE off Cape Fear River
Feb. 9th: FANNY & JENNY by Wrightsville Beach
Feb. 9th: EMILY OF LONDON by Wrightsville Beach
Feb. 9th: SPUNKIE by the Cape Fear River.
Hey, Those Are My Ships!! --Old B-Runner
Six blockade-runners were lost between Feb. 1-9, 1864, near Wilmington, NC, an extremely high number with February 9th especially bad with three lost.
Feb. 1st: WILD DAYRELL at Stump Inlet
Feb. 4th: NUTFIELD at New River Inlet
Feb. 6th: DEE off Cape Fear River
Feb. 9th: FANNY & JENNY by Wrightsville Beach
Feb. 9th: EMILY OF LONDON by Wrightsville Beach
Feb. 9th: SPUNKIE by the Cape Fear River.
Hey, Those Are My Ships!! --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
150 Years Ago-- February 2-4, 1864
FEBRUARY 2-4, 1864:
Blockade-runner Presto was discovered ashore under the batteries of Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor. Three monitors fired on it for three days until they were satisfied it was completely destroyed.
--Old B-R'er
Blockade-runner Presto was discovered ashore under the batteries of Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor. Three monitors fired on it for three days until they were satisfied it was completely destroyed.
--Old B-R'er
Daring Confederate Raid: USS Underwriter Captured and Destroyed-- Part 2
Unable to move the Underwriter because the steam wasn't up, Wood destroyed her under fire of nearby Union batteries (New Bern was an occupied town).
He later wrote Col. Lloyd J. Beall, Commandant of the Confederate Marine Corps, commending the Marines who had taken part in the expedition: "Though their duties were more arduous than those of the others, they were always prompt and ready for the performance of all they were called upon to do. As a body they would be a credit to any organization, and I will be glad to be associated with them on duty at any time."
Lt. George W. Gift, CSN, who took part in what Secretary Mallory termed "this brilliant exploit," remarked: "I am all admiration for Wood. he is modesty personified, conceives boldly and executes with skill and courage."
Quite a Feat. Sounds Like A Cushing. --Old B-Runner
He later wrote Col. Lloyd J. Beall, Commandant of the Confederate Marine Corps, commending the Marines who had taken part in the expedition: "Though their duties were more arduous than those of the others, they were always prompt and ready for the performance of all they were called upon to do. As a body they would be a credit to any organization, and I will be glad to be associated with them on duty at any time."
Lt. George W. Gift, CSN, who took part in what Secretary Mallory termed "this brilliant exploit," remarked: "I am all admiration for Wood. he is modesty personified, conceives boldly and executes with skill and courage."
Quite a Feat. Sounds Like A Cushing. --Old B-Runner
Monday, February 3, 2014
Daring Confederate Raid: USS Underwriter Captured and Destoyed-- Part 1
FEBRUARY 2, 1864:
Early in the morning, a Confederate boat expedition planned and boldly led by Commander John Taylor Wood, CSN, captured and destroyed the 4-gun sidewheel steamer USS Underwriter, Acting Master Jacob Westervelt, anchored in the Neuse River near New Bern, North Carolina.
The boats used by the Confederates had been shipped by rail from Petersburg, Va., to Kinston, NC, and from there started down the Neuse. Wood, grandson of President Taylor and nephew of Jefferson Davis, silently approached the Underwriter about 2:30 a.m. and was within 100 yards of the gunboat before being spotted.
Underwriter's guns could not be brought to bear on Wood and his men quickly boarded and took her in hand-to-handcombat, during which, Westervelt was killed.
Definitely a Cushing Thing.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Early in the morning, a Confederate boat expedition planned and boldly led by Commander John Taylor Wood, CSN, captured and destroyed the 4-gun sidewheel steamer USS Underwriter, Acting Master Jacob Westervelt, anchored in the Neuse River near New Bern, North Carolina.
The boats used by the Confederates had been shipped by rail from Petersburg, Va., to Kinston, NC, and from there started down the Neuse. Wood, grandson of President Taylor and nephew of Jefferson Davis, silently approached the Underwriter about 2:30 a.m. and was within 100 yards of the gunboat before being spotted.
Underwriter's guns could not be brought to bear on Wood and his men quickly boarded and took her in hand-to-handcombat, during which, Westervelt was killed.
Definitely a Cushing Thing.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, February 1, 2014
150 Years Ago-- February 1st-2nd, 1864: Capture of USS Underwriter
FEBRUARY 1ST, 1864:
Army expedition assisted by Navy was driven off by Confederates near Smithfield, Virginia, with loss of Army gunboat Smith Briggs.
** USS Sassacus captured blockade-runner Wild Dayrell aground at Stump Inlet, NC. He was unable to float her, so burned it.
FEBRUARY 2ND:
U.S. Tug Geranium captured eight members of the Confederate Torpedo Corps off Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor while they were attempting to remove stores from a grounded blockade-runner.
** Also this date, in a daring morning attack, a Confederate boat expedition led by Cmdr. John Taylor Wood, CSN, captured the USS Underwriter anchored in the Neuse River near New Bern. I'll write about it Monday.
Lt. Wood Is the Confederacy's Cushing--Old B-R'er
Army expedition assisted by Navy was driven off by Confederates near Smithfield, Virginia, with loss of Army gunboat Smith Briggs.
** USS Sassacus captured blockade-runner Wild Dayrell aground at Stump Inlet, NC. He was unable to float her, so burned it.
FEBRUARY 2ND:
U.S. Tug Geranium captured eight members of the Confederate Torpedo Corps off Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor while they were attempting to remove stores from a grounded blockade-runner.
** Also this date, in a daring morning attack, a Confederate boat expedition led by Cmdr. John Taylor Wood, CSN, captured the USS Underwriter anchored in the Neuse River near New Bern. I'll write about it Monday.
Lt. Wood Is the Confederacy's Cushing--Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- January 31, 1864
JANUARY 31ST, 1864:
The Union is planning the joint Army-Navy Red River Campaign. General Sherman wants General Banks to have a three-pronged attack: Little Rock to Shreveport; Opelousas to Alexandria and Red River and said Admiral Porter would have his gunboats ready by March 1st.
** An expedition of 40 sailors and 350 soldiers with a 12-pdr. howitzer under Lt. Cmdr. Flusser marched inland from Roanoke River and held the North Carolina town of Windsor for several hours and returned without a single shot being fired by the rebels.
--Old B-Runner
The Union is planning the joint Army-Navy Red River Campaign. General Sherman wants General Banks to have a three-pronged attack: Little Rock to Shreveport; Opelousas to Alexandria and Red River and said Admiral Porter would have his gunboats ready by March 1st.
** An expedition of 40 sailors and 350 soldiers with a 12-pdr. howitzer under Lt. Cmdr. Flusser marched inland from Roanoke River and held the North Carolina town of Windsor for several hours and returned without a single shot being fired by the rebels.
--Old B-Runner
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