A new conservation campaign funded by a year-long effort has raised more than $1 million through grants, pledges, partnership agreements and cash contributions including a %$500,000 gift from the descendants of Monitor Captain John L. Worden and an annual $250,000 curatorial stipend from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which operates the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
Also, there will be a series of private guided tours for donors through the center's conservation lab and done when the conservators are not working.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Ramping Up to Save the USS Monitor's Turret-- Part 3: Looking for Dents
Since the turret recovery/conservation project started in 2002, some 760 objects have been found.
A five person team using chisels, hammers and small pneumatic tools will be removing scale-like layers of marine concretion. Several times a day, the turret walls will be wet down with purified water. Each Friday, the tank will be refilled with water to protect it over the weekend and then it will be drained again on Monday.
Once finished, the turret's newly exposed interior and exterior walls will be scanned through a 3-D photogrammerty process, to record the progress of the electrolytic reduction and descaling treatment.
In doing this, conservators hope to be able to gather information on Confederate shot, bolt and shells which hit the turret during its battle with the CSS Virginia in March 1862 and the confrontation with Drewry's Bluff two months later on the James River.
--Old B-Runner
A five person team using chisels, hammers and small pneumatic tools will be removing scale-like layers of marine concretion. Several times a day, the turret walls will be wet down with purified water. Each Friday, the tank will be refilled with water to protect it over the weekend and then it will be drained again on Monday.
Once finished, the turret's newly exposed interior and exterior walls will be scanned through a 3-D photogrammerty process, to record the progress of the electrolytic reduction and descaling treatment.
In doing this, conservators hope to be able to gather information on Confederate shot, bolt and shells which hit the turret during its battle with the CSS Virginia in March 1862 and the confrontation with Drewry's Bluff two months later on the James River.
--Old B-Runner
Fort Fisher Extends Summer Hours
From the May 25, 2016, WECT 6 NBC, Wilmington, N.C..
Fort Fisher State Historic Site has extended its hours to include Sunday afternoon. It will remain closed, however, on Mondays and holidays. Hours are now 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
To honor Memorial Day and the U.S. military, special presentation will be given Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. by Assistant Site Manager John Mosely where he will explain the fort's role in World War II. It is free and will be given in the visitors center.
I remember a few years ago greatly anticipating a visit to Fort Fisher on a Monday, only to find it closed.
Wasn't a Happy Camper. --Old B-Runner
Fort Fisher State Historic Site has extended its hours to include Sunday afternoon. It will remain closed, however, on Mondays and holidays. Hours are now 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
To honor Memorial Day and the U.S. military, special presentation will be given Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. by Assistant Site Manager John Mosely where he will explain the fort's role in World War II. It is free and will be given in the visitors center.
I remember a few years ago greatly anticipating a visit to Fort Fisher on a Monday, only to find it closed.
Wasn't a Happy Camper. --Old B-Runner
155 Years Ago: Privateer Savannah Captured
JUNE 1ST, 1861: USS Union, Commander J.R. Goldsborough, captured Confederate schooner F.W. Johnson with cargo of railroad iron off the coast of North Carolina.
JUNE 3RD, 1861: Confederate privateer Savannah, Captain Baker, captured American brig Joseph with cargo of sugar; the Savannah was then captured by USS Perry, Lt. Parrott.
JUNE 5TH, 1861: Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, USRM, engaged Confederate battery at Pig Point, Hampton Roads.
--Old B-R'er
JUNE 3RD, 1861: Confederate privateer Savannah, Captain Baker, captured American brig Joseph with cargo of sugar; the Savannah was then captured by USS Perry, Lt. Parrott.
JUNE 5TH, 1861: Revenue Cutter Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, USRM, engaged Confederate battery at Pig Point, Hampton Roads.
--Old B-R'er
155 Years Ago: About the Blockade
JUNE 1ST, 1861: The USS Union, Commander J.R. Goldsborough, captured Confederate schooner F.W. Johnson with cargo of railroad iron off the coast of North Carolina.
** Captain Du Pont wrote: "I do not like the tone of things in England ... Lord Derby and Granville, etc., talk of two thousand miles of coast to blockade! They seem to forget so far as their rights and international interests are concerned we have only to blockade the ports of entry -- from the Chesapeake to Galveston-- any ... venture into any other harbors or inlets of any kind is liable to capture as a smuggler.
"It is the intention of the Government, I presume, to connect the shore between blockaded ports by light draft cruisers to prevent the ingress of arms and contraband, and the egress of privateers-- but that is our business as a war measure -- an effective blockade means the covering of the ports of entry -- and this will be easily done in my judgement...."
--Old B-Runner
** Captain Du Pont wrote: "I do not like the tone of things in England ... Lord Derby and Granville, etc., talk of two thousand miles of coast to blockade! They seem to forget so far as their rights and international interests are concerned we have only to blockade the ports of entry -- from the Chesapeake to Galveston-- any ... venture into any other harbors or inlets of any kind is liable to capture as a smuggler.
"It is the intention of the Government, I presume, to connect the shore between blockaded ports by light draft cruisers to prevent the ingress of arms and contraband, and the egress of privateers-- but that is our business as a war measure -- an effective blockade means the covering of the ports of entry -- and this will be easily done in my judgement...."
--Old B-Runner
Monday, May 30, 2016
155 Years Ago: USS Merrimack Is Raised at Norfolk Navy Yard
MAY 30TH, 1861: The USS Merrimack, scuttled and burned at Norfolk Navy Yard, is raised by Confederates. And, we know what they did with it.
** USS Quaker City, Acting Master S.W. Mather, seized schooner Lynchburg, en route Richmond with cargo of coffee.
MAY 31ST, 1861: USS Perry, Lt. Enoch G. Parrott, captured Confederate blockade-runner Hannah M. Johnson.
--Old B-Runner
** USS Quaker City, Acting Master S.W. Mather, seized schooner Lynchburg, en route Richmond with cargo of coffee.
MAY 31ST, 1861: USS Perry, Lt. Enoch G. Parrott, captured Confederate blockade-runner Hannah M. Johnson.
--Old B-Runner
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Ramping Up to Save the USS Monitor Turret-- Part 2: Samuel Lewis' Spoon
Continued from May 19th.
The Monitor's turret interior had a series of shields in place to protect the gun crew from metal fasteners that might be blown off by enemy cannon fire. There are still four or five of them intact and it is hoped that artifacts that might have ended up behind them during the ship's sinking might be found.
The last time they had the water drained from the turret tank, they found a silver table spoon with the initials S.A.L., which had belonged to Third Assistant Engineer Samuel Augee Lewis, who went down with the ship after being struck with a bad case of sea sickness in the storm and was so sick he couldn't even rise from his bunk.
--Old B-Runner
The Monitor's turret interior had a series of shields in place to protect the gun crew from metal fasteners that might be blown off by enemy cannon fire. There are still four or five of them intact and it is hoped that artifacts that might have ended up behind them during the ship's sinking might be found.
The last time they had the water drained from the turret tank, they found a silver table spoon with the initials S.A.L., which had belonged to Third Assistant Engineer Samuel Augee Lewis, who went down with the ship after being struck with a bad case of sea sickness in the storm and was so sick he couldn't even rise from his bunk.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
155 Years Ago: Potomac Flotilla Engages Confederate Batteries at Aquia Creek, Virginia.
MAY 29TH-JUNE 1ST, 1861: The Potomac Flotilla, consisting of the USS Thomas Freeborn, Commander Ward, USS Anacostia, Lt. Napoleon Collins, USS Resolute, Acting Master William Budd, engaged Confederate batteries at Aquia Creek, Virginia.
The flotilla was joined by the USS Pawnee, Commander Rowan, on the evening of May 31st.
--Old B-Runner
155 Years Ago: Savannah Blockade Set
MAY 28TH, 1861: USS Union, Commander John R. Goldsborough, initiated blockade of Savannah.
MAY 29TH, 1861: Confederate privateer J.C. Calhoun, captured American brig Panama, which she took to New Orleans with two earlier prizes, American schooners Mermaid and John Adams. That probably caused a bit of a stir when the ships passed the USS Brooklyn.
** USS Powhatan, Lt. D.D. Porter, captured schooner Mary Clinton attempting to run the blockade near Southwest Pass, Mississippi River. Evidently, when you set a blockade of a port, you can seize incoming ships right away.
--Old B-Runner
MAY 29TH, 1861: Confederate privateer J.C. Calhoun, captured American brig Panama, which she took to New Orleans with two earlier prizes, American schooners Mermaid and John Adams. That probably caused a bit of a stir when the ships passed the USS Brooklyn.
** USS Powhatan, Lt. D.D. Porter, captured schooner Mary Clinton attempting to run the blockade near Southwest Pass, Mississippi River. Evidently, when you set a blockade of a port, you can seize incoming ships right away.
--Old B-Runner
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
155 Years Ago: Blockades Set at New Orleans and Mobile
MAY 25TH, 1861: Commander Dahlgren, Commandant Washington Navy Yard, reported the capture of steamer Thomas Colyer by USS Pawnee, Commander Rowan, in Alexandria.
** USS Minnesota, Flag Officer Stringham, seized bark Winfred near Hampton Roads.
MAY 26TH, 1861: USS Brooklyn, Commander Charles H. Poor, set blockade of New Orleans and mouth of the Mississippi River.
** USS Powhatan, Lt. D.D. Porter, set blockade at Mobile.
Setting a blockade required notifying the port and then giving a certain amount of time for ships to leave and for word to get around of the blockade to incoming vessels.
--Old B-Runner
** USS Minnesota, Flag Officer Stringham, seized bark Winfred near Hampton Roads.
MAY 26TH, 1861: USS Brooklyn, Commander Charles H. Poor, set blockade of New Orleans and mouth of the Mississippi River.
** USS Powhatan, Lt. D.D. Porter, set blockade at Mobile.
Setting a blockade required notifying the port and then giving a certain amount of time for ships to leave and for word to get around of the blockade to incoming vessels.
--Old B-Runner
155 Years Ago: Alexandria, Virginia, Surrenders to Union Navy
MAY 24TH, 1861: Commander Rowan, commanding the USS Pawnee, demanded the surrender of Alexandria, Virginia; amphibious expedition departed Washington Navy Yard, after embarking secretly at night under Commander Dahlgren's supervision, and occupied Alexandria.
Admiral D.D. Porter later noted of this event: "The first landing of Northern troops upon the Virginia shores was under cover of these improvised gunboats [USS Thomas Freeborn, Anacostia, and Resolute] ... at Alexandria... Alexandria was evacuated by the Confederates upon demand of a naval officer-- Commander S.C. rowan ... and ..the American flag was hoisted on the Custom House and other prominent places by the officer in charge of a landing party of sailors-- Lieutenant R.B. Lowry.
"This ... gave indication of the feelings of the Navy, and how ready was the service to put down secession on the first opportunity offered."
--Old B-Runner
Admiral D.D. Porter later noted of this event: "The first landing of Northern troops upon the Virginia shores was under cover of these improvised gunboats [USS Thomas Freeborn, Anacostia, and Resolute] ... at Alexandria... Alexandria was evacuated by the Confederates upon demand of a naval officer-- Commander S.C. rowan ... and ..the American flag was hoisted on the Custom House and other prominent places by the officer in charge of a landing party of sailors-- Lieutenant R.B. Lowry.
"This ... gave indication of the feelings of the Navy, and how ready was the service to put down secession on the first opportunity offered."
--Old B-Runner
Monday, May 23, 2016
Bringing Home the Fort Anderson (NC) Flag
From a 2005, North Carolina Historic Sites News Release "Help Bring Home Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson State Historic Site Flag."
The Confederate flag that flew over Fort Anderson on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington.has been located and the staff at the site is seeking donations to purchase it. It is currently owned by a dealer and described as being in excellent condition and authenticated. The dealer is asking $40,000 for it.
Chris Fonvielle in his book Fort Anderson: Battle for Wilmington says that Federal troops found it rolled up after falling off a wagon during the hasty retreat. A soldier from Co. A, 140th Indiana found it and turned it over to the regiment's commander, Col. Thomas J. Brady.
Four weeks later, Brady presented it to Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton at a ceremony in front of the National Hotel in Washington, D.C.. Abraham Lincoln was also at that ceremony and reviewed the 140th Indiana.
This ceremony took place on March 17, 1865, the same day that John Wilkes Booth planned to kidnap Lincoln on his way to Campbell Hospital where the president was originally going until the presentation and review happened.
The site now has the flag.
--Old B-Runner
The Confederate flag that flew over Fort Anderson on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington.has been located and the staff at the site is seeking donations to purchase it. It is currently owned by a dealer and described as being in excellent condition and authenticated. The dealer is asking $40,000 for it.
Chris Fonvielle in his book Fort Anderson: Battle for Wilmington says that Federal troops found it rolled up after falling off a wagon during the hasty retreat. A soldier from Co. A, 140th Indiana found it and turned it over to the regiment's commander, Col. Thomas J. Brady.
Four weeks later, Brady presented it to Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton at a ceremony in front of the National Hotel in Washington, D.C.. Abraham Lincoln was also at that ceremony and reviewed the 140th Indiana.
This ceremony took place on March 17, 1865, the same day that John Wilkes Booth planned to kidnap Lincoln on his way to Campbell Hospital where the president was originally going until the presentation and review happened.
The site now has the flag.
--Old B-Runner
155 Years Ago: USS Mississippi Sabotaged, Northern Ships in New Orleans Seized
MAY 23RD, 1861: The USS Mississippi, Flag Officer William Mervine, was compelled to put back into Boston for repairs because of sabotage damage to her condensers.
MAY 24TH, 1861: The Confederate States Marshall at New Orleans seized all ships from Northern states which had arrived after May 6, 1861.
Sneaky Confederates. --Old B-Runner
MAY 24TH, 1861: The Confederate States Marshall at New Orleans seized all ships from Northern states which had arrived after May 6, 1861.
Sneaky Confederates. --Old B-Runner
155 Years Ago: Guarding Washington, D.C.
MAY 18TH, 1861: Commander Dahlgren suggested a plan for the erection of batteries on commanding points along the Potomac, and "the placing of vessels of some force at two or three intervals from the kettle bottoms of the Yard [Washington Navy Yard] near suspected positions, with communications kept up by some fast and light steamers."
MAY 19TH, 1861: USS Monticello, Captain Henry Eagle, and the USS Thomas Freeborn, engaged a Confederate battery at Sewell's Point, Virginia.
** CSS Lady Davis, Lt. Thomas P Pelot, captured American ship A.B. Thompson off Charleston.
There was some question as to whether or not this was a privateer.
--Old B-Runner
MAY 19TH, 1861: USS Monticello, Captain Henry Eagle, and the USS Thomas Freeborn, engaged a Confederate battery at Sewell's Point, Virginia.
** CSS Lady Davis, Lt. Thomas P Pelot, captured American ship A.B. Thompson off Charleston.
There was some question as to whether or not this was a privateer.
--Old B-Runner
Friday, May 20, 2016
155 Years Ago: Plans Set Forward to Confederate Navy for Ironclad Rams
MAY 21ST, 1861: USS Pochahontas, Commander John P. Gillis, seized steamboat James Guy off Machodoc Creek, Virginia.
** John A. Stevenson of New Orleans discussed with Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory a "plan by which the enemy's blockading navy might be driven from our coasts," and wrote President Davis, "We have no time, place, or means, to build an effective navy. Our ports are, or soon will be, all blockaded.
"On land we do not fear Lincoln, but what shall we do to cripple him at sea? In this emergency, and seeing that he is arming many poorly adapted vessels, I have two months past been entirely engaged in perfecting pans by which I could so alter and adapt some of our heavy and powerful tow-boats on the Mississippi as to make them comparatively safe...
"...against the heaviest guns afloat, and by preparing their bow in a peculiar manner, as my plans and model will show, render them capable of sinking by collision the heaviest vessels ever built..."
--Old B-Runner
** John A. Stevenson of New Orleans discussed with Confederate Secretary of Navy Mallory a "plan by which the enemy's blockading navy might be driven from our coasts," and wrote President Davis, "We have no time, place, or means, to build an effective navy. Our ports are, or soon will be, all blockaded.
"On land we do not fear Lincoln, but what shall we do to cripple him at sea? In this emergency, and seeing that he is arming many poorly adapted vessels, I have two months past been entirely engaged in perfecting pans by which I could so alter and adapt some of our heavy and powerful tow-boats on the Mississippi as to make them comparatively safe...
"...against the heaviest guns afloat, and by preparing their bow in a peculiar manner, as my plans and model will show, render them capable of sinking by collision the heaviest vessels ever built..."
--Old B-Runner
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