Yellow Fever Strikes Wilmington 150 Years Ago-- Part 4: Three Possibilities

There are three possible explanations for how yellow fever arrived in Wilmington.  The first and most widely held was that the blockade-runner Kate brought it.  The second is that it was already in Wilmington.  Yet a third, as suggested in a September 29th letter (150 years ago today), to the Wilmington Journal saying that the Union conspired to spread it.

On Nov. 17th, the Journal reported 654 dead out of an estimated 1500 cases.  The Rev. Pritchard continuing preaching at his church and was among one of the last to die, on November 14th and is buries beside Dr. Dickson in Oakdale Cemetery.

Four hundred of the poorer dead are buried together at Yellow Fever Hill in Oakdale.   More affluent victims were buried in individual plots elsewhere in the cemetery.

Quite an Epidemic.  --Old B-Runner

Straw Hats in the Navy?

From the Yahoo! Civil War Navy and Marine Forum.

There was a question in the forum as to whether in spring, the ship's purser would buy straw material for making hats for the crew.

Steve Sessoms, an expert on the Navy of the era, replied that he had never heard that it was a Navy-wide thing, but Paymaster Keeler of the USS Monitor in his diary wrote that he went ashore at Hampton Roads to buy straw hats for the crew, but couldn't find any.  He did buy a quantity of straw and brought it back to the ship where the crew set to working making their own hats.  Those that knew how to helped show ones with no clue, but they still ended up with all sorts of styles and off-looking hats.

I'd Have Liked to See a Picture of Those Hats.  --Old B-R'er

Yellow Fever Strikes Wilmington 150 Years Ago-- Part 3: "Fires of Rosin and Lightwood"

The Sept. 26, 1862, Charleston (SC) Courier reported that Wilmington Mayor Dawson had sent dispatches asking that city for help, "The yellow fever is epidemic here, increasing rapidly, and our physicians are nearly exhausted.  Some of them are already sick," he wrote.

Civilians and military rushed to help, but it was too late for Dr. Dickson, who died September 28th, 150 years ago today.

In September 30th, the Confederate Army assigned three surgeons to temporary duty in Wilmington.  One was Dr. William T. Wragg, of Charleston who was an expert on the disease.  He wrote of his arrival, "At the time of our arrival the alarm and excitement of the population were thoroughly aroused, a large part of the inhabitants had fled from the city to seek refuge in other places, and fires of rosin and lightwood were burnt in the streets in every portion of this city."

Dr. William George Thomas contended that it arrived on the Kate.  Wragg maintained that it was already in the city, saying that ten patients were already displaying jaundice and other yellow fever symptoms before August 6th.

Well, the Burning Fires Would Discourage Mosquitoes Somewhat.  --Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: September 26th to 30th-- Mobile Support

SEPTEMBER 26TH

The USS State of Georgia and Mystic chased a blockade-running schooner (name unknown) ashore at New Inlet, NC, and destroyed it.

Rear Admiral Du Pont wants "mobile support" in the form of ships holding 1000 tons of coal and with hoisting equipment to be on blockade station.  This way, the blockading ships would not have to leave station and sail to supply depots to replenish.

This antedated the modern use of fleet oilers.  Store ships, receiving ships and machinery repair hulks were already being used at Port Royal, the principal base of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.


SEPTEMBER 28TH

The USS State of Georgia and Mystic  captured British blockade-running steamer Sunbeam near New Inlet, NC.


SEPTEMBER 30TH

Asst. Sec. of the Navy Fox wrote Commodore Blake, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, now located at Newport, RI, that "The seamanship is of utmost importance, in my opinion, notwithstanding steam, and iron clads.  I share the old Jack Tar feeling that a sailor can do anything, and that a man is not goof for much, who is not a thorough seaman."

D.D. Porter was afraid training was getting too scientific.

Old B-R'er

Yellow Fever Strikes Wilmington 150 Years Ago-- Part 2: "Wagon-loads of Corpses"

On September 13th, the Wilmington Daily Journal noted that the weather was warm and mosquitoes numerous (of course, people didn't know the mosquito connection until 900 when Major Walter Reed discovered the connection).

Also, on the 13th, Wilmington physicians met and determined there indeed was a yellow fever epidemic.  Dozens of cases were reported that same day.  Many families began leaving town.  Soon, some 6,000 of the city's 10,000 residents were gone.

Dr. James H. Dickson was the first physician to report the disease:  "Since Tuesday the 9th I have seen five cases of the disease.  Of those two have died, one is discharged as convalescent and two are still under treatment with doubtful prospects."  His letter was printed in the September 16th Daily Journal.

The wealthy Bellamy family left town under advice of Dr. Dickson, who came down with the disease himself on September 24th.

John H. Bellamy later wrote, "I recollect well, having stood at our home on Market and Fifth Streets, watching wagon-loads of corpses go by to Oakdale Cemetery,of those who had died of the malignant disease."

More to Come.  --Old B-Runner

Yellow Fever Strikes Wilmington 150 Years Ago-- Part 1

From the August 2, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Historic yellow fever attack led to 'agon-loads of corpses" by Jim Ware.

In the accompanying photo, Dave Rice is examining the headstone of Elizabeth Day at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington "Born Oct. 15th, 1830.  Died of Yellow Fever Oct. 15,1862.  Aged 32 years."

On August 6, 1862, the blockade-runner Kate docked at 2 PM in Wilmington after a voyage from Nassau through the blockade.  Along with its valuable cargo, it also brought, many believe, the dreaded yellow fever.  It didn't remain long and left carrying a load of cotton and other goods.

Much of this account comes from the memoir of the Rev. John L. Pritchard, pastor of the First Baptist Church in town.

At first, yellow fever was not acknowledged by physicians or suspected by the people until the end of August.  They simple believed it could not happen at Wilmington.

The first death attributed to it was 36-year-old, German-born wood and coal dealer Lewis Swartzman, who died Sept. 9th.  He had a business near the Kate's wharf at the foot of Market Street.

James Sprunt said his family physician told him to move his family to the country.

It Can't Happen Here.  --Old B-R'er

Back to the Blakelys: The CSS Alabama's Blakelys

From the CSS Alabama Association.

The Alabama's pivot Blakely, the 100-pdr. was so light that it became overheated after a few rounds, causing the charge to have to be reduced.  Another problem was a tremendous recoil. essentially, after a few rounds, it would be of little use in a prolonged engagement.  Probably one of the problems when the ship faces a real warship like the USS Kearsarge.


From the Patriot Files.

The 100-pdr was recovered from the wreck June 29, 1995, and it was found to be loaded.  On March 10, 1995, the shell was carefully defused by French explosive experts.  The percussion-type fuse was unscrewed and removed without difficulty using a specially-made tool for just that purpose.  The black powder inside the shell was found to be perfectly dry and ready to do its duty had there been a spark.

Attempts were made three months later to remove the shell.

Currently, the gun is undergoing conservation in Cannes, France.

The Alabama mounted eight cannons, six of which were of Blakely patent.

Two of the cannons were of Royal Navy style.  Four of the 32-pdrs were Blakelys.  Of course, so was the 7-inch, 100-pdr pivot.  There was also a 68-pdr smoothbore gun.

One of the 32-pdrs had a percussion lock mechanism and stamped on the top of gun are the words "Fawcett Preston & Co., Liverpool 1862."  Blakely made similar-type guns for Confederate ships and forts.

So, That's a Blakely.  --Old B-Runner

Is It the CSS Alabama's Flag?

From the June 12, 2011, Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow (NY) Patch.

The Historical Society of Tarrytown -Sleepy Hollow has a flag said to have come from the Confederate Raider CSS Alabama which resides in a large glass case, supported with acid-free paper.  The staff has been working on validating its Alabama connection.

They say that when it's unfurled that it takes up an entire room.

It has been in the society's collection a long time and was originally labelled as the flag from the Alabama.  If it is confirmed as such, it will be sent to the History Museum of Mobile (Al) if they can get something in exchange.  The Alabama museum has a large CSS Alabama collection, including one of the ship's cannons.

I looked at the Wikipedia article on the CSS Alabama and it didn't mention this flag.

In addition, the historical society has  a small display dedicated to John L. Worden, the USS Monitor's original commander, Lt. John L. Worden, who was born, according to the Patch, just north of Sleepy Hollow in Scarborough.  Wikipedia lists him as being born in Sparta, Mount Pleasant Township, Westchester County.

It Will  Be Interesting to Find Out If the Flag Indeed Came From the Alabama.  --Old B-Runner

Blakely Rifles-- Part 3: Some Specific Guns

One famous Blakely gun was "The Widow Blakely," a 7.5-inch rifle used in the Confederate defense of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863.  On May 22nd, a shell exploded in the gun's barrel while it was firing at a Union gunboat.  It took part of the end of the muzzle off.  The Confederates cut what had been a 124-inch long barrel back to 100 inches and continued to use it as a mortar until the city fell.

It was taken to West Point as a war trophy where it remained for 96 years when it was returned to Vicksburg and is still on display about a mile from where it was located during the battle.

The CSS Alabama had a pivoting 100-pdr Blakely rifle on its forecastle.  it was recovered from the wreck.

The "Lady Polk" is a restored Blakely 12-pdr field piece that had been used at Fort Pemberton.  Today, it is at the Cottonlandia Museum, along with the ship's flag and fragments from the USS Star of the West.

More to Come.  --Old B-Runner

Blakely Rifles-- Part 2

Some 400 of his cannons were produced, most made of iron.  Blakely also sold some to Russia and apparently, the state of Massachusetts bought an eight 9-inch and four 11-inch ones.

He continued to experiment with designs and had at least five and possibly as many as ten different designs with several varieties each.  There were at least nine varieties of the 3.5-inch, 12-pdr rifles (I believe the one in Raleigh is one of these).

The two primary rifling types used appears to be flat-sided bores or bores with grooves cut in them into which flanges on shells would fit.

Variations included:
2.5-inch, 6-pdrs  (length and weight)
2.9-inch
3.5-inch, 12-pdr.
3.75-inch, 16-pdr.
4-inch, 18-pdr.
4.5-inch, 20-pdr.
6.4-inch, 100-pdr.
and larger models.

Getting a Bit Too Technical for Me.  --Old B-R'er

Blakely Rifles-- Part 1

This is referring to the blog entry from Tuesday, the dedication of the Fort Fisher cannon at the North Carolina History Museum in Raleigh.  Wednesday I wrote about why it takes me so long to do these blogs.  Like I said, I was unfamiliar with Blakely rifled cannons, so had to do some research which ended up in many areas and over more hours than I intended putting into the effort.

From Good Ol' Wikipedia.

Blakely rifles were a series of muzzle-loading rifled cannons designed by British Army officer Theophilus Alexander Blakely.  These guns were best known for their use by the Confederacy.

Blakely tried to interest the British government in his design, but with no success.  His design involved a cast iron core with wrought iron or steel binding to reinforce the breech.  His designs were very similar to those of Sir William George Armstrong (whose 150-pdr gun was at Fort Fisher).  Blakely believed that Armstrong had infringed on his patent.  When Armstrong became superintendent of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, Blakely stopped offering his design to the British Army.

He sold his cannons mostly to the Confederacy, though he didn't actually manufacture the guns himself, but contracted out to companies like Fawcett, Preston & Co. of Liverpool (where the one in Raleigh was made), Low Moor Iron Co. and the Blakely Ordnance Co. of London (possibly his?).

Armstrong or Blakely.  Whose Is It?  --Old B-Runner

My Great Summer at Fort Fisher-- Part 9

From my journal, July 30, 1982.

"At closing (of Fort Fisher), Mary (Hollowell) drove me to the Blockade Runner where we met Jim Legg who works there.  We bought some beer and then backtracked to Fort Fisher.  Jim has done extensive research and legwork on the fighting that occurred there and up the peninsula.

He showed me Camp Wyatt, the Union camp and lines, lunettes, bullet trench (near Dowd Road, the site of the battle and the entrenchments that are left on Sugar Loaf.  The battle site is primarily a big lake now as that is the place all the sand on the beach came from..  Jim could hardly mention the Army Corps of Engineers and not put expletives in front of it.  It is always sad to lose a Civil War site of any sort but progress must go on.  Jim had even prepared an accurate map for us to use."

This Was Quite the Walk-About.  --Old B-R'er

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: September 20th to 25th,1862-- Riding the Storm Out

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Answering a letter to Asst. sec. of Navy Fox,  who was pushing for the capture of Charleston, SC, Rear Admiral Du Pont replied that it was a much bigger job than Port Royal.

However, this same day, he wrote Senator Grimes in Iowa: "The thorn in my flesh is Charleston, they have been allowed seventeen months to prepare its defenses-- and in no part of the wretched Confederacy has there been more industry, energy, and intelligent zeal, and science displayed."

Throughout the fall, the ironclads he would need were being built.


SEPTEMBER 22ND

Writing during a storm ("I suppose the true equinoctial gale"), Rear Admiral Farragut noted that "these are the times that try the commander of a squadron.  I could not sleep last night, thinking of the blockaders.  It is rough work lying off a port month in and month out...I have 6 vessels off Mobile, so that one can always come in for coal.  They are at all times breaking down and coming in for repairs."

SEPTEMBER 25TH

The USS Kensington, Rachel Seaman and Henry Janes bombard Confederate batteries at Sabine Pass, Texas until the defenders abandon the works and spike the guns.  Sabine City surrendered the next day.

Old B-Runner

So, That's Why It Takes So Long to Do These Blogs

Two nights ago, I came across an article in the September 17th Raleigh (NC) News & Observer about a cannon from Fort Fisher that was to be dedicated at its new display in front of the North Carolina History Museum.  Well, that led to one thing after another.  This refers to the last post from yesterday.

Firstly, it was a Blakely cannon and I didn't know anything about Blakely cannons.  Some more research and I found out that these were English cannons of a wide variety of sizes and that there was a big Blakely gun in pivot on the CSS Alabama along as several more of its guns.  Then, there was a "Widow Blakely" cannon at Vicksburg and another one called "The Lady Polk" that was at Fort Pemperton.

The CSS Alabama gun was found loaded with a shell set to be fired.

Then, the gun was captured at what is called the Hebe Skirmish.  When the blockade-runner Hebe ran aground seven miles north of Fort Fisher, and out of its gun range, a flying battery was sent to protect it and the Blakely in front of the museum was one of the two guns, the other being a Whitworth.  Initially successful in fending Union blockaders off, the USS Minnesota arrived on the scene and used its 48-guns to force the Confederates to abandon the pieces and led to their capture.

I then found several accounts of the battle/skirmish.

Then, I came across a Rear-Admiral Joseph P. Fyffe who had been an officer aboard the Minnesota at the Hebe fight..

Then, it turns out there was a Dutch freighter named the Hebe which sank after a night time collision with a British sub-chaser in 1942 off South Carolina.  That led to more research, along with two other ships sunk in 1942 by German U-Boats in 1942.

I'll be writing about these stories, but...

No Wonder It takes Me So Long to Do These Doggone Blogs.  --Old B-R'er

The USS Monitor Still Serves the Nation

From the March 8, 2012, Times-Union.

The USS Monitor wreck site is the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, a one-mile in diameter park created Jan. 30, 1975, shortly after the ship's site was discovered.

Fifteen percent of the Monitor is at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virgina, and the remaining 85% in the ocean.  The turret and other parts were rescued as the rest is in too poor of a shape to be removed, unfortunately.

The iron plates of the ship were made in South Troy, New York.

Still Serving her Nation.  --Old B-Runner