MAY 10TH, 1861: Blockade of Charleston, South Carolina, initiated by USS Niagara.
** Secret Act of Confederate Congress, signed by President Davis, authorized "the Navy Department to send an agent abroad to purchase six steam propellers, in addition to those heretofore authorized, together with rifled cannon, small arms, and other ordnance stores and munitions of war," and appropriated a million dollars for the purpose.
--Old Blockade Runner
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
155 Years Ago: Fox Appointed Chief Clerk of Navy
MAY 8TH, 1861: Secretary of the Navy Welles informed Gustavus Fox: "You are appointed Chief Clerk of the Navy Department, and I shall be glad to have you enter upon the duties as soon as you conveniently can."
MAY 9TH, 1861: The USS Constitution and USS Baltic arrive at Newport, Rhode Island, with officers and midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. The Naval Academy remained there for the duration of the war.
--Old B-Runner
MAY 9TH, 1861: The USS Constitution and USS Baltic arrive at Newport, Rhode Island, with officers and midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. The Naval Academy remained there for the duration of the war.
--Old B-Runner
Sunday, May 8, 2016
155 Years Ago: Mallory Wants Commerce Crusiers-- Part 2
"Large ships are unnecessary for this service; our policy demands that they shall be no larger than may be sufficient to combine the requisite speed and power, a battery of one or two heavy pivot guns and two or more broadside guns, being sufficient against commerce.
"By getting small ships we can afford a greater number, an important consideration. The character of the coasts and harbors indicate attention to the draft of water of our vessels.
"Speed in a propeller and the protection of her machinery can not be obtained upon a very light draft, but they should draw as little water as may be comparable with their efficiency otherwise."
--Old B-R'er
"By getting small ships we can afford a greater number, an important consideration. The character of the coasts and harbors indicate attention to the draft of water of our vessels.
"Speed in a propeller and the protection of her machinery can not be obtained upon a very light draft, but they should draw as little water as may be comparable with their efficiency otherwise."
--Old B-R'er
155 Years Ago: USS Valley City Captures a Schooner in North Carolina
MAY 5TH, 1861: USS Valley City captured schooner J. O'Neil near Pamlico River, North Carolina, after the schooner was run aground by her crew.
--Old B-Runner
--Old B-Runner
Friday, May 6, 2016
155 Years Ago --Part 1: Bulloch Ordered to England to Purchase Ships to be Used As Commerce Raiders
MAY 9TH, 1861: Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory ordered Commander James Bulloch, CSN, to England to purchase ships, guns and ammunition. In his instructions he said: "...provide as one of the conditions for payment for the delivery of the vessels under the British flag at one of our Southern ports, and, secondly, that the bonds of the Confederacy be taken in whole or part payment.
"The class of vessel desired for immediate use is that which offers the greatest chance of success against the enemy's commerce... as sidewheel steamers can not be made general cruisers, and as from the enemy's force before our forts, our ships must be enabled to keep the sea, and to make extended cruises, propellers fast under both steam and canvas suggest themselves to us with special favor."
Sounds Like He Already Is Talking About the CSS Alabama. ---Old B-runner
"The class of vessel desired for immediate use is that which offers the greatest chance of success against the enemy's commerce... as sidewheel steamers can not be made general cruisers, and as from the enemy's force before our forts, our ships must be enabled to keep the sea, and to make extended cruises, propellers fast under both steam and canvas suggest themselves to us with special favor."
Sounds Like He Already Is Talking About the CSS Alabama. ---Old B-runner
155 Years Ago: Scott's Anaconda Plan
MAY 2ND, 1861: General Winfield Scott wrote to President Lincoln suggesting a cordon capable of enveloping the seceded states and noted that "the transportation of men and all supplies by water is about a fifth of land cost, besides the immense savings of time."
On the next day, Scott elaborated further to General George McClellan: "We rely greatly on the sure operation of a complete blockade of the Atlantic and Gulf ports soon to commence. In connection with such blockade we propose a powerful movement down the Mississippi to the ocean, with a cordon of posts at proper points ...
"..The object being to clear out and keep open this great line of communication in connection with the strict blockade of the seaboard, so as to envelop the insurgent States and bring them to terms with less bloodshed than by any other plan."
--Scott's Anaconda Plan. --Old B-Runner
On the next day, Scott elaborated further to General George McClellan: "We rely greatly on the sure operation of a complete blockade of the Atlantic and Gulf ports soon to commence. In connection with such blockade we propose a powerful movement down the Mississippi to the ocean, with a cordon of posts at proper points ...
"..The object being to clear out and keep open this great line of communication in connection with the strict blockade of the seaboard, so as to envelop the insurgent States and bring them to terms with less bloodshed than by any other plan."
--Scott's Anaconda Plan. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, May 5, 2016
North Carolina's Underwater Archaeology Unit-- Part 3" Magnetometers and Sidescan Sonar
Underwater archaeologists use a variety of means to locate and document shipwrecks and other submerged sites. Occasionally, sites can be visually observed in shallow water (The blockade-runner Beauregard, off Carolina Beach can be seen at low tide) and are reported by fishermen, boaters or recreational scuba divers.
To locate shipwrecks in deeper water, archaeologists rely on remote sensing equipment such as magnetometers and sidescan sonar (as used in locating the Agnes E. fry) The remote sensing equipment is operated from a research vessel that systematically searches the survey area.
Ideally, an electronic positioning system is used to maintain and record the vessel's position during the survey.
--Old B-Runner
To locate shipwrecks in deeper water, archaeologists rely on remote sensing equipment such as magnetometers and sidescan sonar (as used in locating the Agnes E. fry) The remote sensing equipment is operated from a research vessel that systematically searches the survey area.
Ideally, an electronic positioning system is used to maintain and record the vessel's position during the survey.
--Old B-Runner
North Carolina's Underwater Archaeology Unit-- Part 2: Blockade-Runner Agnes E. Fry
The North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit maintains extensive files on over 4,000 historically documented shipwrecks, as well as a wide variety of water-related subjects such as bridge and ferry crossings, historic ports, plantation landings, riverine and coastal trade, harbor development and improvements to navigation.
Historical research can be used to define a search area where a specific shipwreck should be located or to identify a site that has been located by other means. This is evident in the recent location of the blockade-runner believed to be the Agnes E. Fry off Oak island, near the mouth of Wilmington's Cape Fear River.)
Over the past three decades, researchers have documented more than 700 underwater archaeological sites in North Carolina that include prehistoric dugout canoes, colonial sailing vessels, beached shipwreck remains, dozens of Civil War shipwrecks,and 19th and 20th century steamboats.
--Old B-R'er
Historical research can be used to define a search area where a specific shipwreck should be located or to identify a site that has been located by other means. This is evident in the recent location of the blockade-runner believed to be the Agnes E. Fry off Oak island, near the mouth of Wilmington's Cape Fear River.)
Over the past three decades, researchers have documented more than 700 underwater archaeological sites in North Carolina that include prehistoric dugout canoes, colonial sailing vessels, beached shipwreck remains, dozens of Civil War shipwrecks,and 19th and 20th century steamboats.
--Old B-R'er
North Carolina's Underwater Archaeology Unit-- Part 1: Blockade-Runner Modern Greece
From the "Encyclopedia of North Carolina" "Archaeology" by Joan E. Freeman and R.P. Stephen Davis Jr..
Underwater archaeology was first conducted in North Carolina in the early 1960s, when U.S. navy divers, working in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Cultural resources, recovered several thousand artifacts from sunken Civil War blockade-runners in the Wilmington area. (That would initially be the wreck of the blockade-runner Modern Greece which sank off Fort Fisher.)
In 1963, the state established a preservation laboratory at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site to treat those artifacts, and in 1967, the General Assembly passed a law to protect submerged cultural resources in the state. That statute claimed North Carolina's ownership of all cultural material unclaimed in state waters for more than ten years.
Further, the law authorized the Department of Cultural Resources to establish a professional staff and regulations for managing those submerged resources, and to develop a system for permitting qualified individuals, groups and institutions to conduct investigations and recovery projects of underwater archaeological sites.
--Old B-Runner
Underwater archaeology was first conducted in North Carolina in the early 1960s, when U.S. navy divers, working in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Cultural resources, recovered several thousand artifacts from sunken Civil War blockade-runners in the Wilmington area. (That would initially be the wreck of the blockade-runner Modern Greece which sank off Fort Fisher.)
In 1963, the state established a preservation laboratory at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site to treat those artifacts, and in 1967, the General Assembly passed a law to protect submerged cultural resources in the state. That statute claimed North Carolina's ownership of all cultural material unclaimed in state waters for more than ten years.
Further, the law authorized the Department of Cultural Resources to establish a professional staff and regulations for managing those submerged resources, and to develop a system for permitting qualified individuals, groups and institutions to conduct investigations and recovery projects of underwater archaeological sites.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
155 Years Ago: USS Yankee Fired On By Confederate Batteries
MAY 7TH, 1861: Union blockading force capture Confederate steamers Dick Keys and Lewis near Mobile.
** USS Yankee, Lt. Thomas O. Selfridge, fired on by Confederate batteries at Gloucester Point, Virginia.
--Old B-R'er
** USS Yankee, Lt. Thomas O. Selfridge, fired on by Confederate batteries at Gloucester Point, Virginia.
--Old B-R'er
155 Years Ago: Confederates to Use Privateers
MAY 6TH, 1861: The Confederate Congress passed an act recognizing a state of war with the United States and authorized the issuing of Letters of Marque to private vessels.
President Davis issued instructions to private armed vessels, in which he defined operational limits, directed "strictest regard to the rights of neutral powers," ordered privateers to proceed "With all ... justice and humanity" toward Union vessels and crews, outlined procedure for bringing in a prize, directed that all property on board neutral ships be exempt from seizure "unless it be contraband," and defined the word contraband.
--Old B-Runner
President Davis issued instructions to private armed vessels, in which he defined operational limits, directed "strictest regard to the rights of neutral powers," ordered privateers to proceed "With all ... justice and humanity" toward Union vessels and crews, outlined procedure for bringing in a prize, directed that all property on board neutral ships be exempt from seizure "unless it be contraband," and defined the word contraband.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
155 Years Ago: USS Cumberland Seizes More Confederate Ships
MAY 4TH, 1861: USS Cumberland, Flag Officer Pendergast, seized schooner Mary and Virginia with cargo of coal, and reported the capture of schooner Theresa C., running the blockade off Fort Monroe, Virginia, with cotton on board.
** Steamship Star of the West commissioned as Receiving Ship of the Confederate Navy at New Orleans.
--O;d B-Runner
** Steamship Star of the West commissioned as Receiving Ship of the Confederate Navy at New Orleans.
--O;d B-Runner
155 Years Ago: Importance of Washington Navy Yard
MAY 3RD, 1861: Commander Dahlgren, Commandant of Washington Navy Yard, noted: "Besides the Yard, I have to hold the bridge next above, so some howitzers and a guard are there. It is from this direction that the rebels of the eastern shore may come.
"This Yard is of great importance, not only because of its furnishing the Navy so largely with various stores, but also as a position in the general defense of the city."
--Old B-Runner
"This Yard is of great importance, not only because of its furnishing the Navy so largely with various stores, but also as a position in the general defense of the city."
--Old B-Runner
Monday, May 2, 2016
155 Years Ago: Beefing Up the Navy and Let's Get It On-- Part 1
MAY 3RD, 1861: President Lincoln called for "the enlistment, for not less than one nor more than three years, of 18,000 seamen, in addition to the present force, for the naval service of the United States."
** President Lincoln's blockade proclamation published in London newspapers.
** Captain Du Pont wrote: "I am anxious for the blockade to get established-- that will squeeze the South more than anything.
--Old B-R'er
** President Lincoln's blockade proclamation published in London newspapers.
** Captain Du Pont wrote: "I am anxious for the blockade to get established-- that will squeeze the South more than anything.
--Old B-R'er
155 Years Ago: Winfield Scott's Anaconda Plan-- Part 2
MAY 2ND, 1861: This was the heart of the Winfield Scott's celebrated Anaconda Plan which would strangle the Confederacy on all sides. Control of the sea and inland waterways by the Union was key.
The great strategy for victory was to (a) strengthen the blockade, (b) split the Confederacy along the line of the Mississippi River, and (c) support land operations by amphibious assault, gunfire and transport.
The Union Navy had a key role to play in all of this.
--Old B-R'er
The great strategy for victory was to (a) strengthen the blockade, (b) split the Confederacy along the line of the Mississippi River, and (c) support land operations by amphibious assault, gunfire and transport.
The Union Navy had a key role to play in all of this.
--Old B-R'er
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