SEPTEMBER 9TH, 1864: Rear Admiral Farragut ordered the USS Kanawha to reinstitute the blockade of Brownsville, Texas. It had been lifted in mid-February by Presidential proclamation, but on 15 August, Secretary of State Seward had informed Secretary Welles once more because of withdrawal of Union forces in the area. Three days later, Welles directed Farragut to resume it.
On September 3rd, Farragut reported to Welles that he was "increasing the blockading force off the coast of Texas, the recent operations here (Battle of Mobile Bay) enabling me to spare vessels for that purpose."
The Kanawha blockaded the Brazos Santiago, one of the approaches to Brownsville. The USS Aroostook was sent to blockade the Rio grande River.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
Operations Near Mobile Bay to Destroy Salt Works
SEPTEMBER 8TH, 1864: The USS Tritonia, Rodolph, Stockdale and an Army transport commenced a two-day operation to destroy a large salt works at Salt House Point near Mobile Bay. Only the Rodoph and Stockdale crossed the bar and entered Bob Secours River.
Arriving at the Point in mid-morning, two boats were sent ashore and immediately began destroying the salt works. They were so extensive that it took until the next day to complete their destruction.
Acting Lt. George Wiggin reported: "I found some of the works well built and very strong, particularly one known as Memphis Works, said to have cost $60,000.... Another work, which was very strong and well built, said to have cost $50,000."
Rear Admiral Farragut had ordered the attack and reported: "There were 55 furnaces, in which were manufactured nearly 2,000 bushels of salt per day, and their destruction must necessarily inconvenience the rebels."
No More Salt for Your Steak in Mobile. --Old B-Runner
Arriving at the Point in mid-morning, two boats were sent ashore and immediately began destroying the salt works. They were so extensive that it took until the next day to complete their destruction.
Acting Lt. George Wiggin reported: "I found some of the works well built and very strong, particularly one known as Memphis Works, said to have cost $60,000.... Another work, which was very strong and well built, said to have cost $50,000."
Rear Admiral Farragut had ordered the attack and reported: "There were 55 furnaces, in which were manufactured nearly 2,000 bushels of salt per day, and their destruction must necessarily inconvenience the rebels."
No More Salt for Your Steak in Mobile. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, September 6, 2014
New York Times Announces Arrival of Captured Blockade-Runner Elsie in New York
From the September 13, 1864: IMPORTANT NAVAL NEWS.; The Prize steamer Georgia at Beaufort, N.C.. Another Pirate Ready to Leave Wilmington. A Fleet at Halifax.
I wrote about its capture in yesterday's post.
"The prize steamer Elsie, (British flag) in charge of Richard Wilkinson, Prize master, from Beaufort, N.C., on the 9th inst., arrived yesterday. She is bound to Boston, and after obtaining a Hell Gate pilot, proceeded.
"She was captured by the gunboats Quaker City and Keystone State on the 5th inst., in lat. 33 degrees 10' lon. 77 degrees 02' from Wilmington N.C. for Nassau, with cargo of 320 bales of cotton."
This gives a good description of what happened to blockade-runners after they were captured. The Elsie was captured on Sept. 5th, sent to Beaufort, leaving there on the 9th under a prize master and crew. Arrived in New York City on the 12th and was eventually going to Boston for prize court.
I'm not sure whether or not the Elsie was taken into Union service or sold to a private party.
--Old B-Runner
I wrote about its capture in yesterday's post.
"The prize steamer Elsie, (British flag) in charge of Richard Wilkinson, Prize master, from Beaufort, N.C., on the 9th inst., arrived yesterday. She is bound to Boston, and after obtaining a Hell Gate pilot, proceeded.
"She was captured by the gunboats Quaker City and Keystone State on the 5th inst., in lat. 33 degrees 10' lon. 77 degrees 02' from Wilmington N.C. for Nassau, with cargo of 320 bales of cotton."
This gives a good description of what happened to blockade-runners after they were captured. The Elsie was captured on Sept. 5th, sent to Beaufort, leaving there on the 9th under a prize master and crew. Arrived in New York City on the 12th and was eventually going to Boston for prize court.
I'm not sure whether or not the Elsie was taken into Union service or sold to a private party.
--Old B-Runner
Friday, September 5, 2014
Welles Requests Farragut to Lead the Wilmington Expedition
With Mobile now closed and Savannah and Charleston effectively shut off from blockade-running, that left just Wilmington, North Carolina, as the last major Confederate port. The letter from Farragut that had been sent the week before announcing that the admiral, in failing health as he was, had asked to be relieved of all duty.
This date, Secretary Welles asked Farragut to lead the anticipated expedition against Wilmington. He was to take command of the North Atlantic Blockading squadron and make plans for the attack.
Welles regarded its capture as "more important, practically than the capture of Richmond."
It was only natural that Welles turn to his most successful and indomitable officer for the accomplishment of this last vital task.
"You are selected," wrote Welles, "to command the naval force, and you will endeavor to be at Port Royal by the latter part of September, where further orders will await you."
It was not until mid-month that the Secretary received Farragut's letter of 27 August requesting to be relieved of command.
--Old B-Runner
This date, Secretary Welles asked Farragut to lead the anticipated expedition against Wilmington. He was to take command of the North Atlantic Blockading squadron and make plans for the attack.
Welles regarded its capture as "more important, practically than the capture of Richmond."
It was only natural that Welles turn to his most successful and indomitable officer for the accomplishment of this last vital task.
"You are selected," wrote Welles, "to command the naval force, and you will endeavor to be at Port Royal by the latter part of September, where further orders will await you."
It was not until mid-month that the Secretary received Farragut's letter of 27 August requesting to be relieved of command.
--Old B-Runner
Second Time No Charm for the Blockade-Runner Elsie at Wilmington
SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1864: The USS Keystone State and USS Quaker City captured the British blockade-runner Elsie off Wilmington with a cargo of cotton. The Elsie had been chased the previous night by blockaders after standing out from Wilmington, but had escaped in the darkness.
This date, however, the two Union ships spotted her and opened fire. The Elsie came close to escaping, but a shell exploding in her forward hold forced her to surrender.
--Old B-Runner
This date, however, the two Union ships spotted her and opened fire. The Elsie came close to escaping, but a shell exploding in her forward hold forced her to surrender.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Shipwrecks in the Cape Fear River: After the War
From the same source as the two earlier posts from today.
After the war, wreckers removed or leveled sunken vessels in and around the Cape Fear River that posed threats to navigation.
At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, a federal gunboat, most likely the USS Violet, and the blockade-runner Georgiana McCaw were partially destroyed in this process as was the wreck of the ironclad CSS Raleigh at New Inlet.
Several Confederate transports that were scuttled in the river to block the channel below Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865 were reported to have been removed immediately after the war.
--Old B-Runner
After the war, wreckers removed or leveled sunken vessels in and around the Cape Fear River that posed threats to navigation.
At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, a federal gunboat, most likely the USS Violet, and the blockade-runner Georgiana McCaw were partially destroyed in this process as was the wreck of the ironclad CSS Raleigh at New Inlet.
Several Confederate transports that were scuttled in the river to block the channel below Wilmington after the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865 were reported to have been removed immediately after the war.
--Old B-Runner
Bar Tender USS Violet-- Part 2
"When blockade-runners were spotted slipping out of an inlet, bar tenders capable of sudden bursts of speed, gave immediate chase while also sending up flares to alert companion blockaders.
In many cases these small steamers could overhaul and cut off the fast, but heavily loaded blockade-runners from escape. The bar tenders with their smaller coal storage capability relied on large steamers to refill their bunkers."
Being posted that close in to the bar, was the reason the Violet ended up as a wreck.
--Old B-R'er
In many cases these small steamers could overhaul and cut off the fast, but heavily loaded blockade-runners from escape. The bar tenders with their smaller coal storage capability relied on large steamers to refill their bunkers."
Being posted that close in to the bar, was the reason the Violet ended up as a wreck.
--Old B-R'er
Bar Tender USS Violet-- Part 1
From the National Register of Historic Places Nomination for the Cape Fear Civil War Shipwreck District by Mark Wilde-Ramsing and Wilson Angley.
"The [use] of light, speedy vessels was inaugurated with the tug Violet at the Western Bar of the Cape Fear River. These blockaders, known as bar tenders, proved the most effective in preventing breeches in the blockade.
Usually sea-going tugs, outfitted with light armaments, bar tenders had shallow drafts enabling them to post up at night very near the inlet mouths.
"They often used the same ploys as their counterparts, such as removing masts and spars and employing light gray hull paint to reduce their profile."
--Old B-Runner
"The [use] of light, speedy vessels was inaugurated with the tug Violet at the Western Bar of the Cape Fear River. These blockaders, known as bar tenders, proved the most effective in preventing breeches in the blockade.
Usually sea-going tugs, outfitted with light armaments, bar tenders had shallow drafts enabling them to post up at night very near the inlet mouths.
"They often used the same ploys as their counterparts, such as removing masts and spars and employing light gray hull paint to reduce their profile."
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
150 Years Ago: Lincoln Orders 100-Gun Salute
SEPTEMBER 3RD, 1864: President Lincoln ordered a 100-gun salute at the Washington Navy Yard at noon on Monday, the 5th of September, and, upon receipt of the order, at each arsenal and navy yard in the United States.
This was for "the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Morgan...."
The president also proclaimed that on the following Sunday thanksgiving should be given for Rear Admiral Farragut's victory at Mobile and the capture of Atlanta by General Sherman.
These events, said Lincoln, "call for devout acknowledgement to the Supreme Being in whose hands are the destinies of nations."
--Old B-Runner
This was for "the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Morgan...."
The president also proclaimed that on the following Sunday thanksgiving should be given for Rear Admiral Farragut's victory at Mobile and the capture of Atlanta by General Sherman.
These events, said Lincoln, "call for devout acknowledgement to the Supreme Being in whose hands are the destinies of nations."
--Old B-Runner
USS Violet-- Part 3
In early 1864, the Violet was repairing at Norfolk Navy Yard and in April was assigned to the ironclad Roanoke and ordered to maintain a vigilant night and foul weather watch and to tow the warship to safety or run down any Confederate attack on the ship. It did this until July 20th.
It was then fitted with a torpedo device and reassigned to the Cape Fear River.
On the night of August 7th, it ran aground while proceeding to an inshore station close to the shoal off Western Bar. (Inshore Station would be the closest blockader to shore to keep watch for runners.)
Despite efforts by the crew and other vessels, the Violet could not be refloated and tides forced the ship even further aground. The magazine was fired to prevent capture and the ship blew up the morning of August 8, 1864.
--Old B-Runner
It was then fitted with a torpedo device and reassigned to the Cape Fear River.
On the night of August 7th, it ran aground while proceeding to an inshore station close to the shoal off Western Bar. (Inshore Station would be the closest blockader to shore to keep watch for runners.)
Despite efforts by the crew and other vessels, the Violet could not be refloated and tides forced the ship even further aground. The magazine was fired to prevent capture and the ship blew up the morning of August 8, 1864.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
USS Naiad
From Wikipedia.
The USS Naiad Tinclad #53, was launched in 1863 and bought by the Navy at Cinconnati, 3 March 1863 and commissioned 3 April 1863. It was 158 feet long, had a 30.4 foot beam, stern steam wheel, mounting eight 24-pdrs.
The Naiad operated along the Mississippi River and its tributaries and often engaged Confederate shore batteries which were prone to popping up at various points to disrupt Union communications and supplies.
On June 15-16, 1864, the Naiad and other Union vessels engaged Confederate batteries at Ratliff's Landing, Louisiana, and today, 150 years ago, a battery at Rowe's Landing, Louisiana.
Constant patrolling by the Naiad and her sister tinclads and other small Union ships did a lot toward keeping Union supply and communication lines open.
The Naiad was decommissioned and sold into civilian service as the princess at Cairo, Illinois, on 30 June 1865. It his a snag and sank in 1868 near Napoleon, Missouri.
Old B-Runner
--
The USS Naiad Tinclad #53, was launched in 1863 and bought by the Navy at Cinconnati, 3 March 1863 and commissioned 3 April 1863. It was 158 feet long, had a 30.4 foot beam, stern steam wheel, mounting eight 24-pdrs.
The Naiad operated along the Mississippi River and its tributaries and often engaged Confederate shore batteries which were prone to popping up at various points to disrupt Union communications and supplies.
On June 15-16, 1864, the Naiad and other Union vessels engaged Confederate batteries at Ratliff's Landing, Louisiana, and today, 150 years ago, a battery at Rowe's Landing, Louisiana.
Constant patrolling by the Naiad and her sister tinclads and other small Union ships did a lot toward keeping Union supply and communication lines open.
The Naiad was decommissioned and sold into civilian service as the princess at Cairo, Illinois, on 30 June 1865. It his a snag and sank in 1868 near Napoleon, Missouri.
Old B-Runner
--
USS Violet-- Part 2
The Vilet was sent to Newport news, Virginia, and assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron as a tug boat. On March 27, 1863, the Violet was ordered to join the blockading squadron off Wilmington, N.C., but a storm off Cape Hatteras forced it to return to Hampton Roads in a sinking condition on March 28th.
It was repaired and went to Wilmington again. At Wilmington, it did double duty as a blockader and tug. On April 11, 1863, the Violet and USS Aries chased an unknown blockader-runner and on December 6th, found the runner Ceres aground and burning. The Ceres floated free during the night and the Violet seized her and put out the fires.
On December 20th, while attempting to refloat the runner Antonica, the Violet ran aground herself and remained there for two nights and a day. Only after throwing its guns overboard did the Violet float free.
Busy Ship. --Old B-R'er
It was repaired and went to Wilmington again. At Wilmington, it did double duty as a blockader and tug. On April 11, 1863, the Violet and USS Aries chased an unknown blockader-runner and on December 6th, found the runner Ceres aground and burning. The Ceres floated free during the night and the Violet seized her and put out the fires.
On December 20th, while attempting to refloat the runner Antonica, the Violet ran aground herself and remained there for two nights and a day. Only after throwing its guns overboard did the Violet float free.
Busy Ship. --Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- September 2, 1864: Fighting on the Mississippi River
SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1864: The small, 8-gun paddle-wheeler USS Naiad, engaged a Confederate battery near Rowe's Landing, Louisiana, and, after a brisk exchange, silenced it.
--Old B-Runner
--Old B-Runner
Monday, September 1, 2014
USS Violet: Ran Aground and Wrecked
Last month, I wrote about this ship running aground on the night of August 7, 1864 on the shoal off Western Bar of the Cape Fear River by Wilmington, N.C., and ending up a wreck. I had never heard of his ship before (and consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about the Wilmington area during the war) so had to do some research.
From Wikipedia.
The USS Violet was a 166-ton steamer acquired by the Navy and used as a gunboat, tugboat and torpedo boat. It was bought 30 December 1862 at New York City and commissioned 29 January 1863 at the New York Navy Yard.
It was 85-feet long, had a 19.9-foot beam and powered by a screw propeller. Its shallow draft made it an excellent choice for up close work to shore. It was launched in 1862.
It mounted one 12-pdr., one 12-pdr. rifle and one torpedo.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
From Wikipedia.
The USS Violet was a 166-ton steamer acquired by the Navy and used as a gunboat, tugboat and torpedo boat. It was bought 30 December 1862 at New York City and commissioned 29 January 1863 at the New York Navy Yard.
It was 85-feet long, had a 19.9-foot beam and powered by a screw propeller. Its shallow draft made it an excellent choice for up close work to shore. It was launched in 1862.
It mounted one 12-pdr., one 12-pdr. rifle and one torpedo.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
Back Then-- 1964: Outdoor Drama Planned for Fort Fisher
From the August 2, 2014, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."
JULY 17, 1964: The N.C. Department of Archives and History endorsed a plan by the Southeastern N.C. Beach Association to launch an outdoor drama at Fort Fisher to tell the story of the Civil War fort.
I don't think anything ever came of it as I am sure I'd remember it had they had the drama.
--Old B-Runner
JULY 17, 1964: The N.C. Department of Archives and History endorsed a plan by the Southeastern N.C. Beach Association to launch an outdoor drama at Fort Fisher to tell the story of the Civil War fort.
I don't think anything ever came of it as I am sure I'd remember it had they had the drama.
--Old B-Runner
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