APRIL 29TH
Expedition under Lt. Alexander C. Rhind, USS E.B. Hale, landed and destroyed Confederate battery at Grimball's, Dawho River, South Carolina and exchanged fire with field pieces near Slann's Bluff.
MAY 1ST
USS Jamestown captured British blockade-runner Intended off the coast of North Carolina intending to run the blockade with a cargo of salt, coffee and medicines.
USS Marblehead shelled Confederate positions at Yorktown in the Peninsula Campaign
MAY 4TH
Boat crew from the USS Wachusett raised the US flag at Gloucester Point, Va., after McClellan's troops occupied Yorktown. Two schooners captured.
USS Calhoun captured the Charles Henry off St. Joseph, Louisiana and raised the US flag over Fort Pike which had been evacuated.
Old B-Runner
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Worst Maritime Disaster in U.S. History: SS Sultana-- 147th Anniversary
From the April 27th Minneapolis (Mn) Star "Sultana yet another night to remember" by Billy Shannon.
News of this disaster was practically buried back then and is completely overlooked with all the hoopla around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I admit that I had never heard of it before until awhile back the remains of the Sultana were found in a farm field near the Mississippi River.
The Sultana sank 147 years ago, April 27, 1865, and at least 1,800 Union soldiers perished that night, some 300 more than the Titanic. Even worse, these soldiers had recently been released from Confederate prisons (some having also been at Andersonville) and were just a few days from returning home to family and friends when they died.
South of Memphis, the seriously overloaded ship's boiler exploded, causing men to be sent through the air and then the ship caught fire.
The tragedy was mentioned, but largely overlooked with the events occurring in April that year: Lee's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, the search for Booth, the capture and death of Booth, the funeral train procession and t he surrender of Johnston.
About the only-known commemoration taking place for the Sultana will be one held in Cincinnati today where the ship was built in 1863. About 60-70 are expected to attend. A descendants group was organized in 1987. Plans are being made for its 2015 sesquicentennial observance.
Not Completely Forgotten. --Old B-Runner
News of this disaster was practically buried back then and is completely overlooked with all the hoopla around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I admit that I had never heard of it before until awhile back the remains of the Sultana were found in a farm field near the Mississippi River.
The Sultana sank 147 years ago, April 27, 1865, and at least 1,800 Union soldiers perished that night, some 300 more than the Titanic. Even worse, these soldiers had recently been released from Confederate prisons (some having also been at Andersonville) and were just a few days from returning home to family and friends when they died.
South of Memphis, the seriously overloaded ship's boiler exploded, causing men to be sent through the air and then the ship caught fire.
The tragedy was mentioned, but largely overlooked with the events occurring in April that year: Lee's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, the search for Booth, the capture and death of Booth, the funeral train procession and t he surrender of Johnston.
About the only-known commemoration taking place for the Sultana will be one held in Cincinnati today where the ship was built in 1863. About 60-70 are expected to attend. A descendants group was organized in 1987. Plans are being made for its 2015 sesquicentennial observance.
Not Completely Forgotten. --Old B-Runner
Friday, April 27, 2012
Bits of War: Last Veteran-- Fort Fisher Speaker
Some New News About An Old War.
1. LAST VETERAN-- The April 24th Wilmington (NC) Star-News Back Then Column reported that back on April 12, 1942, Michael Thomas Davis, New Hanover County's last Civil War veteran had died at his home at 913N. Third Street at age 95. Considering that World War II was going on, Mr. Davis had seen a lot of history.
2. FORT FISHER SPEAKER-- The April 25th Topsail Island (NC) Advertiser reported that the Historical Society of Topsail island was going to have a talk by Nathan Henry, a North Carolina state archaeologist and conservator on May 10th.
He works at the Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher and has been involved in many discoveries and retreavals including the recent Modern Greece blockade-runner artifacts.
Sure Like to be There, But Too Far. --Old B-R'er
1. LAST VETERAN-- The April 24th Wilmington (NC) Star-News Back Then Column reported that back on April 12, 1942, Michael Thomas Davis, New Hanover County's last Civil War veteran had died at his home at 913N. Third Street at age 95. Considering that World War II was going on, Mr. Davis had seen a lot of history.
2. FORT FISHER SPEAKER-- The April 25th Topsail Island (NC) Advertiser reported that the Historical Society of Topsail island was going to have a talk by Nathan Henry, a North Carolina state archaeologist and conservator on May 10th.
He works at the Underwater Archaeology Branch at Fort Fisher and has been involved in many discoveries and retreavals including the recent Modern Greece blockade-runner artifacts.
Sure Like to be There, But Too Far. --Old B-R'er
Civil War Shipwreck Treasures Revealed
From June 2, 2011, Fox 10 TV.
Fathom Exploration was permitted to survey the Gulf waters off Fort Morgan at the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, in 2004 and found a shipwreck. They brought up a 31-inch, 700 pound bronze bell that was too big for a ship's bell with an 1860 date on it.
On June 5, 1861, the British bark Amstel was running the blockade into Mobile to pick up cotton before Union ships arrived to blockade the port. It ran aground at Mobile Bar, now called Dixie Bar. A salvage vessel came, but Union ships arrived and captured the salvage vessel, the first naval action at Mobile.
The company has also recovered railroad axles and huge slabs of Pennsylvania stone. It is believed that the bell and stone were going to some building project in Alabama or Mississippi. The bell was displayed at Lulu's in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a week.
That Sunday marked the 150th anniversary of the Amstel running aground.
Sometimes You Make It, Sometimes You .... --Old B-Runner
Fathom Exploration was permitted to survey the Gulf waters off Fort Morgan at the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, in 2004 and found a shipwreck. They brought up a 31-inch, 700 pound bronze bell that was too big for a ship's bell with an 1860 date on it.
On June 5, 1861, the British bark Amstel was running the blockade into Mobile to pick up cotton before Union ships arrived to blockade the port. It ran aground at Mobile Bar, now called Dixie Bar. A salvage vessel came, but Union ships arrived and captured the salvage vessel, the first naval action at Mobile.
The company has also recovered railroad axles and huge slabs of Pennsylvania stone. It is believed that the bell and stone were going to some building project in Alabama or Mississippi. The bell was displayed at Lulu's in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a week.
That Sunday marked the 150th anniversary of the Amstel running aground.
Sometimes You Make It, Sometimes You .... --Old B-Runner
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Reasons Not to Attack Fort Pickens at Pensacola
From the June 3, 2011 Long Recall Blog, reporting from the June 3, 1861, Charleston (SC) Mercury.
The paper doesn't want Confederate forces to attack Union Fort Pickens because it is a mile and a third distant from Pensacola, too far to breach and the barracks certainly can't be burned out like they had been at Fort Sumter.
Any storming party would come under fire from the Union fleet and the fort's entry had been sandbagged. This would result in a heavy loss of life.
Other reasons not to attack:
It is expensive for the Lincoln government to maintain the Union fleet guarding it.
Fort Pickens is a very sickly place, especially with bouts of Yellow Fever.
Union forces described as "on their best behavior." I'm not sure what this one meant.
Leave It Be!! --Old B-R'er
The paper doesn't want Confederate forces to attack Union Fort Pickens because it is a mile and a third distant from Pensacola, too far to breach and the barracks certainly can't be burned out like they had been at Fort Sumter.
Any storming party would come under fire from the Union fleet and the fort's entry had been sandbagged. This would result in a heavy loss of life.
Other reasons not to attack:
It is expensive for the Lincoln government to maintain the Union fleet guarding it.
Fort Pickens is a very sickly place, especially with bouts of Yellow Fever.
Union forces described as "on their best behavior." I'm not sure what this one meant.
Leave It Be!! --Old B-R'er
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 26th to 28th: Fall of Fort Macon
APRIL 26TH
Farragut issues orders for fleet to give thanks to God for the victory at New Orleans.
Fort Macon, NC, surrenders to combined land-sea forces under Commander Lockwood and Brigadier General John G. Parke. The USS Daylight, State of Georgia, Chippewa and Gemsbok heavily bombard the fort and two blockade-runners, the Alliance and Gondar were captured after the fort's surrender.
APRIL 27TH
Fort Livingston, Bastian By, Louisiana, surrenders to Navy. Boat crew from the USS Kittatinny raised the U.S. flag over the fort.
APRIL 28TH
Forts Jackson and St. Philip, isolated since the fleet ran past them, surrender to Navy aboard USS Harriet Lane, Commander David D. Porter's flagship.
The CSS Louisiana, Defiance and McRae destroyed to prevent capture.
Another Really Bad Three Days for the Confederacy. --Old B-Runner
Farragut issues orders for fleet to give thanks to God for the victory at New Orleans.
Fort Macon, NC, surrenders to combined land-sea forces under Commander Lockwood and Brigadier General John G. Parke. The USS Daylight, State of Georgia, Chippewa and Gemsbok heavily bombard the fort and two blockade-runners, the Alliance and Gondar were captured after the fort's surrender.
APRIL 27TH
Fort Livingston, Bastian By, Louisiana, surrenders to Navy. Boat crew from the USS Kittatinny raised the U.S. flag over the fort.
APRIL 28TH
Forts Jackson and St. Philip, isolated since the fleet ran past them, surrender to Navy aboard USS Harriet Lane, Commander David D. Porter's flagship.
The CSS Louisiana, Defiance and McRae destroyed to prevent capture.
Another Really Bad Three Days for the Confederacy. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 25, 1862-- New Orleans Captured
APRIL 26TH
Farragut's fleet silenced Confederate batteries at Chalmette en route to New Orleans. High water allowed the ships to be able to fire over the levees into the city. The largest and wealthiest city and seaport in the Confederacy surrenders.
Now Union ships can steam up the Mississippi River and conduct operations with those coming southward.
The CSS Mississippi, launched on April 19th and described by Confederate officers as "the strongest...most formidable war vessel that had ever been built," was destroyed to prevent capture. Had the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond been able to finish her shaft in time, it might have been a different story.
Commander Charles H. McBlair, CSN, notified the Navy department that because of the passage of the forts below New Orleans, he was going to take the unfinished ironclad Arkansas, building at Memphis, up the Yazoo River to complete. He also had ordered the Tennessee to be destroyed on the stocks if Memphis fell.
Too bad for the CSS Mississippi. --Old B-R'er
Farragut's fleet silenced Confederate batteries at Chalmette en route to New Orleans. High water allowed the ships to be able to fire over the levees into the city. The largest and wealthiest city and seaport in the Confederacy surrenders.
Now Union ships can steam up the Mississippi River and conduct operations with those coming southward.
The CSS Mississippi, launched on April 19th and described by Confederate officers as "the strongest...most formidable war vessel that had ever been built," was destroyed to prevent capture. Had the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond been able to finish her shaft in time, it might have been a different story.
Commander Charles H. McBlair, CSN, notified the Navy department that because of the passage of the forts below New Orleans, he was going to take the unfinished ironclad Arkansas, building at Memphis, up the Yazoo River to complete. He also had ordered the Tennessee to be destroyed on the stocks if Memphis fell.
Too bad for the CSS Mississippi. --Old B-R'er
Some Mighty Fine Speakers Coming to Cape Hatteras
From the Surf or Sound Hatteras Blog "The Civil War comes to Cape Hatteras at Flags Over Hatteras Commemoration Event."
April 26, 27 and 28th three nationally known authors and historians will be speaking at the Hatteras Village Civic Center, one each day. I sure wish I lived closer as I would be there despite the price to hear them. They are James McPherson, Ed Bearss and Craig Symonds.
It is open to the public and cost is $175 for all three. That will include dinner each session, refreshments and other speakers. Attendance is limited to 175.
Just to finally get the chance to see Ed Bearss would be worth it to me. From what I have heard, he is one really unique person.
Worth It if You're in the Area. --Old B-R'er
April 26, 27 and 28th three nationally known authors and historians will be speaking at the Hatteras Village Civic Center, one each day. I sure wish I lived closer as I would be there despite the price to hear them. They are James McPherson, Ed Bearss and Craig Symonds.
It is open to the public and cost is $175 for all three. That will include dinner each session, refreshments and other speakers. Attendance is limited to 175.
Just to finally get the chance to see Ed Bearss would be worth it to me. From what I have heard, he is one really unique person.
Worth It if You're in the Area. --Old B-R'er
Lt. Thomas Pelot, CSN
From the March 6, 2011 Charleston (SC) Post and Courier "Lt. Thomas Pelot, CSN and the capture of the Water Witch" by Gary Nichols, Citadel Professor Emeritus.
Thomas Pelor graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1853 at the age of 17 and resigned his commission when South Carolina seceded and then was commissioned a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy.
He commanded the iron tug Lady Davis in Charleston harbor and on June 21, 1861, captured the USS A. B. Thompson and took the prize to Beaufort, SC.
Promoted to 1st Lt, he was placed in command of the Confederate floating battery Georgia in the Savannah Squadron commanded by Flag officer William J. Hunter. In late May, 1864, Hunter placed Pelot in command of an expedition to surprise and capture an enemy vessel reported anchored at the mouth of the Little Ogeechee River, south of Savannah. Twelve officers and 115 men were selected from the crews of the Georgia, ironclad Savannah and gunboat Sampson.
Pelot was assisted by Lt. jg Joseph Price. The expedition left June 1st, with seven rowboats and muffled oars. Arriving at the mouth of the river, they found the ship had left and went looking for it., finding it at anchor in Occabow Sound, about three miles away.
In a poring rain on the night of June 2nd, the expedition approached the USS Water Witch, were sighted and fired upon. They continued the attack. Lt. Pelot was the first Confederate on deck and shot through the heart, dying instantly. Five others shared his fate and eleven were wounded, but they took the ship.
Of the 80 Union crew, 2 were killed and 12 wounded, the rest captured.
How to Capture an Enemy Ship. --Old B-Runner
Thomas Pelor graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1853 at the age of 17 and resigned his commission when South Carolina seceded and then was commissioned a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy.
He commanded the iron tug Lady Davis in Charleston harbor and on June 21, 1861, captured the USS A. B. Thompson and took the prize to Beaufort, SC.
Promoted to 1st Lt, he was placed in command of the Confederate floating battery Georgia in the Savannah Squadron commanded by Flag officer William J. Hunter. In late May, 1864, Hunter placed Pelot in command of an expedition to surprise and capture an enemy vessel reported anchored at the mouth of the Little Ogeechee River, south of Savannah. Twelve officers and 115 men were selected from the crews of the Georgia, ironclad Savannah and gunboat Sampson.
Pelot was assisted by Lt. jg Joseph Price. The expedition left June 1st, with seven rowboats and muffled oars. Arriving at the mouth of the river, they found the ship had left and went looking for it., finding it at anchor in Occabow Sound, about three miles away.
In a poring rain on the night of June 2nd, the expedition approached the USS Water Witch, were sighted and fired upon. They continued the attack. Lt. Pelot was the first Confederate on deck and shot through the heart, dying instantly. Five others shared his fate and eleven were wounded, but they took the ship.
Of the 80 Union crew, 2 were killed and 12 wounded, the rest captured.
How to Capture an Enemy Ship. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Naval happenings 150 Years Ago: April 24th, 1862-- A Really Bad day for the Confederacy
From the Civil War Naval Chronology.
Perhaps Confederate ground forces were doing well so far in the war, but not so in the naval department. Other than a few raiders getting put and doing damage and the CSS Virginia's first day attacking the Union fleet in Hampton Roads, the rest is just plain bad.
And today was one of the worst of all.
APRIL 24TH
Flag Officer Farragut's fleet ran past Forts Jackson and St. Philip and engaged the Confederate ships. At 2 AM, the USS Hartford signaled to get underway in three divisions through the gap in the obstructions that had been opened. A hot fight between the forts and ships developed.
The Hartford got aground near Fort St. Philip and was set afire by a fire raft. Farragut directed the extinguishing of the fires.
The USS Varuna was rammed twice and sank. Eight Confederate ships were destroyed and the pride of the fleet, the CSS Manassas, was driven ashore by the USS Mississippi and sunk. Two more surrendered and two others were sunk to prevent capture.
Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory wrote, "The destruction of the Navy at New Orleans was a sad, sad blow..."
The fate of New Orleans was decided.
** The CSS Nashville made a successful run into Wilmington with 60,000 stand of arms and 40 tons of powder.
Well, One Good Thing, But That Sure Doesn't Offset the Loss of New Orleans. --Old B-R'er
A Follow Up on Gilbert Elliott, Builder of the CSS Albemarle
From Green-Wood Cemetery "The Confederate Ironclad Ram Albemarle."
Although a Confederate, Gilbert Elliott (1843-1895) is buried at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery. I wrote about him on April 10th.
He was trained as a young man in boat building and had some experience as a law clerk. In 1862, he enlisted in the 17 NC Infantry and became a first-lieutenant and adjutant in the regiment. In 1863, he was detailed to build the CSS Albemarle in a cornfield on the Roanoke River in North Carolina.
He accomplished this despite horrendous supply problems while following the design of Confederate Chief Engineer John L. Porter. The ship only drew nine feet of water so was able to operate in the shallow river.
On April 19, 1864, the Albemarle engaged Union ships at the Battle of Plymouth, NC. In may, the Union fleet attacked the ship, but it survived the battle only to be sunk by a daring attack by Union commando William Cushing.
Elliott was originally interned in lot 8839, but was later moved to Section 137, Lot 29238 on November 10, 1895.
Of interest, his grave is now located just a few feet from that of Louis Napoleon Stodder, the last surviving officer of the USS Monitor when it engaged the CSS Virginia.
A Confederate Soldier Building a Confederate Ironclad and Buried in the North. --Old B-Runner
Although a Confederate, Gilbert Elliott (1843-1895) is buried at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery. I wrote about him on April 10th.
He was trained as a young man in boat building and had some experience as a law clerk. In 1862, he enlisted in the 17 NC Infantry and became a first-lieutenant and adjutant in the regiment. In 1863, he was detailed to build the CSS Albemarle in a cornfield on the Roanoke River in North Carolina.
He accomplished this despite horrendous supply problems while following the design of Confederate Chief Engineer John L. Porter. The ship only drew nine feet of water so was able to operate in the shallow river.
On April 19, 1864, the Albemarle engaged Union ships at the Battle of Plymouth, NC. In may, the Union fleet attacked the ship, but it survived the battle only to be sunk by a daring attack by Union commando William Cushing.
Elliott was originally interned in lot 8839, but was later moved to Section 137, Lot 29238 on November 10, 1895.
Of interest, his grave is now located just a few feet from that of Louis Napoleon Stodder, the last surviving officer of the USS Monitor when it engaged the CSS Virginia.
A Confederate Soldier Building a Confederate Ironclad and Buried in the North. --Old B-Runner
Monday, April 23, 2012
USS Isaac P. Smith
On the 14th of this month, I posted about this being surprised and captured by Confederate land forces near Charleston, SC.
Some more info on the ship from Wikipedia.
It was built in 1861 as a passenger-cargo ship on New York's Hudson River and purchased by the Navy in September of that year. Stats: 453 tons, 171 feet, 31,4 beam, 56 crew, one 30-pdr. Parrott rifle and eight 8-inch Dahlgren smoothbores.
She served in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the assault on Port Royal. Once it was caught in a hurricane so bad the ship was forced to jettison guns but came to the aid of the Marine Corps transport Governor which foundered off Cape Hatteras.
Nov. 4th and 5th engaged and repelled 3 Confederate steamers and silenced batteries at Hilton Head, SC.March-April 1862 it was off St. Augustine, Florida and then served three months in the St, Johns River.
Then came the fight in the Stono River when the Smith was caught in a crossfire by masked Confederate batteries. The deck was covered with blood and the wounded. Losses aboard were 8 dead and 17 wounded, forcing the ship's surrender.
The ship served in the Confederate Navy around Charleston under its new name CSS Stono. June 5, 1863, it was wrecked near Fort Moultrie while attempting to run the blockade.
Serving Two Navies. --Old B-R'er
Some more info on the ship from Wikipedia.
It was built in 1861 as a passenger-cargo ship on New York's Hudson River and purchased by the Navy in September of that year. Stats: 453 tons, 171 feet, 31,4 beam, 56 crew, one 30-pdr. Parrott rifle and eight 8-inch Dahlgren smoothbores.
She served in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the assault on Port Royal. Once it was caught in a hurricane so bad the ship was forced to jettison guns but came to the aid of the Marine Corps transport Governor which foundered off Cape Hatteras.
Nov. 4th and 5th engaged and repelled 3 Confederate steamers and silenced batteries at Hilton Head, SC.March-April 1862 it was off St. Augustine, Florida and then served three months in the St, Johns River.
Then came the fight in the Stono River when the Smith was caught in a crossfire by masked Confederate batteries. The deck was covered with blood and the wounded. Losses aboard were 8 dead and 17 wounded, forcing the ship's surrender.
The ship served in the Confederate Navy around Charleston under its new name CSS Stono. June 5, 1863, it was wrecked near Fort Moultrie while attempting to run the blockade.
Serving Two Navies. --Old B-R'er
Union Ironclads Hanging Around Off Charleston
The March 30, 1863, Charleston Mercury reported a Union fleet of 17 ships and 4 ironclads off the harbor on blockade. Later there was another report of a gunboat and three transports approached Cole's Island at the mouth of the Stono River and landed 200 troops.
Union Admiral Samuel F. DuPont was worried about Confederate mines at the entrance to the harbor, but couldn't confirm their existence. He felt the ironclad monitors Patapsco, Passaic and Nahant were too slow and prone to breakdown and didn't think they were any match for the Confederate forts.
But, he was under huge pressure from Lincoln's government to press forward with an attack.
On Tuesday, April 7th, the Mercury reported 30 wooden ships, 8 monitors and the USS New Ironsides had appeared off the bar the day before and a battle was imminent.
There was a big battle. The ironclad Keokuk, under Capt. A.C. Rhind, was extremely battered and started sinking after the battle. It was abandoned off Morris Island. Over the next week, equipment and furniture from it washed up on the beach. Confederates took off an 11-inch gun and mounted it at Fort Sumter.
It Was Ironclads Vs. Forts. --Old B-Runner
Union Admiral Samuel F. DuPont was worried about Confederate mines at the entrance to the harbor, but couldn't confirm their existence. He felt the ironclad monitors Patapsco, Passaic and Nahant were too slow and prone to breakdown and didn't think they were any match for the Confederate forts.
But, he was under huge pressure from Lincoln's government to press forward with an attack.
On Tuesday, April 7th, the Mercury reported 30 wooden ships, 8 monitors and the USS New Ironsides had appeared off the bar the day before and a battle was imminent.
There was a big battle. The ironclad Keokuk, under Capt. A.C. Rhind, was extremely battered and started sinking after the battle. It was abandoned off Morris Island. Over the next week, equipment and furniture from it washed up on the beach. Confederates took off an 11-inch gun and mounted it at Fort Sumter.
It Was Ironclads Vs. Forts. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, April 21, 2012
CSS Georgia to Be Raised (Well, What's Left of It, Anyway)
From the April 19th Georgia Public Broadcasting News "Plan Would Raise Confederate Shop" by Orlando Montoya.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have released their final Savannah Harbor Deepening Report which goes public April 20th. It is a massive document according to sources and focuses primarily on environmental and economic issues.
Of particular interest to us Civil War Navy folk is the situation of the CSS Georgia, an ironclad sunk in 1864 to prevent captures as Sherman's men approached the port city. It is still located by Old Fort Jackson.
It lies in the way of dredging and the Corps of Engineers plans to spend $14 million to raise and conserve it. Raising it is not a new idea as plans have been made for the last twenty-five years to do so. But, archaeologists warn that it will not look like much when raised as it is in pieces and has had almost 150 years in which to decay at the river bottom.
The total Savannah Harbor and river dredging project is expected to cost $650 million.
Raiding the Old Ship. Always Something Good. --Old B-R'er
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have released their final Savannah Harbor Deepening Report which goes public April 20th. It is a massive document according to sources and focuses primarily on environmental and economic issues.
Of particular interest to us Civil War Navy folk is the situation of the CSS Georgia, an ironclad sunk in 1864 to prevent captures as Sherman's men approached the port city. It is still located by Old Fort Jackson.
It lies in the way of dredging and the Corps of Engineers plans to spend $14 million to raise and conserve it. Raising it is not a new idea as plans have been made for the last twenty-five years to do so. But, archaeologists warn that it will not look like much when raised as it is in pieces and has had almost 150 years in which to decay at the river bottom.
The total Savannah Harbor and river dredging project is expected to cost $650 million.
Raiding the Old Ship. Always Something Good. --Old B-R'er
Students Unearthing History
From the Dec. 21, 2010, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Students planning to unearth more Brunswick Town history in dig" by Jason Gonzales.
Twenty-one archaeology students from Peace College had a successful dig back in 2009 and will be returning in mid-May 2011. The state is conducting its own exploratory digs and hopes to have restoration work done at the governor's house by February.
In 2009, the first large-scale dig since State Archaeologist Stanley South stopped in 1968 took place. No work was done at the site, downriver from Wilmington, was done in the intervening years because of a lack of money and a de-emphasis of the site by state archaeologists.
This Colonial site also features Fort Anderson, of Civil War significance. From March to May 1865, a refugee camp for blacks following Sherman's Army was also set up at the site.
A 2009 survey shows that 80% of the site is Colonial, 11% Civil War and 9% Native American. There is still much to be dug. It is estimated that there are 27 or more buildings still to be uncovered.
Getting That Old Digging Feeling. --Old B-Runner
Twenty-one archaeology students from Peace College had a successful dig back in 2009 and will be returning in mid-May 2011. The state is conducting its own exploratory digs and hopes to have restoration work done at the governor's house by February.
In 2009, the first large-scale dig since State Archaeologist Stanley South stopped in 1968 took place. No work was done at the site, downriver from Wilmington, was done in the intervening years because of a lack of money and a de-emphasis of the site by state archaeologists.
This Colonial site also features Fort Anderson, of Civil War significance. From March to May 1865, a refugee camp for blacks following Sherman's Army was also set up at the site.
A 2009 survey shows that 80% of the site is Colonial, 11% Civil War and 9% Native American. There is still much to be dug. It is estimated that there are 27 or more buildings still to be uncovered.
Getting That Old Digging Feeling. --Old B-Runner
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