From the Nov. 14, 2013, Atlanta Journal Constitution "Civil War ironclad surfaces in Savannah" by Marcus K. Garner.
A section of the top the CSS Georgia was recovered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Navy divers. The whole ship needs to either be removed or destroyed in the near future because of plans to expand the navigation channel of the Savannah River.
A 64 square foot section of the CSS Georgia's casemate, the part that you see above a Confederate ironclad's waterline, is recovered as a test and will be taken to Texas A&M University where it will be assessed to determine its condition to decide on whether the rest of the wreck is to be recovered.
The ship was sunk at its moorings by Savannah's Fort Jackson to prevent capture by Gen. Sherman's advancing army near the end of the war. An 1869 dredging of the area struck part of the ship. Over the years, the ships has deteriorated. In the 1980s a recovery effort was made on some of the ship's cannons and cannonballs.
At low tide the ship is as much as 42 feet deep in the river. Diving and recovery is especially dangerous because of the near-zero visibility.
Here's Hoping the Whole Thing Can Be Recovered. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Fort Sumter Goes From 44 Guns to 3
From the To the Sound of Guns blog.
Guns were transferred from Fort Sumter following the big ironclad attacks on the fort. At the time of the attacks, the fort mounted 44 guns. At one time, it had shrunk to just one gun in late summer.
By November, it had increased to three guns: two 10-inch Columbiads and a 42-pdr. rifle. These guns were in what was called the "three gun battery" on the east face of the fort. This was the only part of Sumter that still looked like a fort after the terrific pounding it experienced.
This allowed a crossfire across the main channel with Fort Moultrie. Mr. Swain included a picture of the three gun battery. I knew there were more batteries by Fort Moultrie, but nothing at all about the removal of the guns from Fort Sumter.
--Old B-R'er
Guns were transferred from Fort Sumter following the big ironclad attacks on the fort. At the time of the attacks, the fort mounted 44 guns. At one time, it had shrunk to just one gun in late summer.
By November, it had increased to three guns: two 10-inch Columbiads and a 42-pdr. rifle. These guns were in what was called the "three gun battery" on the east face of the fort. This was the only part of Sumter that still looked like a fort after the terrific pounding it experienced.
This allowed a crossfire across the main channel with Fort Moultrie. Mr. Swain included a picture of the three gun battery. I knew there were more batteries by Fort Moultrie, but nothing at all about the removal of the guns from Fort Sumter.
--Old B-R'er
Confederate Defenses on Sullivan's Island in November 1863, Charleston, SC
From the November 23, 2013 To the Sound of Guns Blog by Craig Swain. Mr. Swain made a great map showing all the Confederate positions on the island and said these batteries benefited from the relocation of guns from Fort Sumter during the summer.
Of interest, I found that BATTERY BEE had five 10-inch Columbiads and one 8-inch Columbiad in March 1863. By November, one of the 10-inch Columbiads was replaced by an XI-inch gun taken from the monitor USS Keokuk which had sunk.
FORT MOULTRIE's armament by November had increased to four 10-inch Columbiads, two 8-inch seacoast howitzers, two 8-inch rifle and banded Columbiads, three 32-pdr. rifles, four 24-pdr smoothbores, and two 10-inch seacoast mortars. Two other 32-pdr smoothbores were at the fort, but not mounted.
Other batteries on Sullivan's Island were, Marion, Brooke, Rutledge, Beauregard, Marshall. Mr. Swain tells the armament of all of these batteries.
--Old B-Runner
Of interest, I found that BATTERY BEE had five 10-inch Columbiads and one 8-inch Columbiad in March 1863. By November, one of the 10-inch Columbiads was replaced by an XI-inch gun taken from the monitor USS Keokuk which had sunk.
FORT MOULTRIE's armament by November had increased to four 10-inch Columbiads, two 8-inch seacoast howitzers, two 8-inch rifle and banded Columbiads, three 32-pdr. rifles, four 24-pdr smoothbores, and two 10-inch seacoast mortars. Two other 32-pdr smoothbores were at the fort, but not mounted.
Other batteries on Sullivan's Island were, Marion, Brooke, Rutledge, Beauregard, Marshall. Mr. Swain tells the armament of all of these batteries.
--Old B-Runner
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
150 Years Ago-- November 24-29, 1863: Ordnance and Another B-R Gets captured
NOVEMBER 24TH:
The USS Pawnee and Marblehead protected Union troops sinking piles of obstructions in the Stono River above Legareville, SC.
NOVEMBER 25TH:
The Confederate Navy faced all sorts of problems during the war and one was getting ordnance. Secretary Mallory wrote this day that ordnance workshops had been established at Charlotte, Richmond, Atlanta and Selma, Alabama.
NOVEMBER 26TH:
The USS James Adger seized the British blockade-runner Ella off Masonboro Inlet, NC, with a cargo of salt.
NOVEMBER 28th:
The USS Chipewa escorted two army transports on a recon mission up Skull Creek, SC.
NOVEMBER 29TH:
USS Kanawha captured schooner Albert attempting to run out of Mobile with cargo of cotton, rosin, turpentine and tobacco.
** Major General Banks got a gun crew from the USS Monongahela ashore to man howitzers to support his attack on Pass Cavallo, Texas.
--Old B-Runner
The USS Pawnee and Marblehead protected Union troops sinking piles of obstructions in the Stono River above Legareville, SC.
NOVEMBER 25TH:
The Confederate Navy faced all sorts of problems during the war and one was getting ordnance. Secretary Mallory wrote this day that ordnance workshops had been established at Charlotte, Richmond, Atlanta and Selma, Alabama.
NOVEMBER 26TH:
The USS James Adger seized the British blockade-runner Ella off Masonboro Inlet, NC, with a cargo of salt.
NOVEMBER 28th:
The USS Chipewa escorted two army transports on a recon mission up Skull Creek, SC.
NOVEMBER 29TH:
USS Kanawha captured schooner Albert attempting to run out of Mobile with cargo of cotton, rosin, turpentine and tobacco.
** Major General Banks got a gun crew from the USS Monongahela ashore to man howitzers to support his attack on Pass Cavallo, Texas.
--Old B-Runner
Making Plans to Capture Wilmington-- Part 2
Although Lee did not mention capturing Fort Fisher, Commander W.A. Parker wanted that Army-Navy expedition to capture it. He wrote: "I am of the opinion that 25,000 men and two or three ironclads should be sent to capture this place, if so large a force can be conveniently furnished for the purpose....
"The ironclads...should be employed to divert the attention of the garrison of Fort Fisher during the landing of our troops at Masonboro Inlet, and to prevent the force there from being used to oppose the debarkation....
"Fort Fisher would probably fall after a short resistance, as I have been informed that the heavy guns all point seaward, and there is but slight provision made to resist an attack from the interior."
Of course, the Confederates either already had or were quickly building a line of fortifications across the peninsula to the Cape Fear River.
At the time, however, Union efforts along the Atlantic coast were primarily directed at capturing Charleston and the attack on Wilmington was postponed and the city continued a haven for blockade-runners until the fall of Fort Fisher in early 1865.
Thinkin' 'Bout It. --Old B-R'er
"The ironclads...should be employed to divert the attention of the garrison of Fort Fisher during the landing of our troops at Masonboro Inlet, and to prevent the force there from being used to oppose the debarkation....
"Fort Fisher would probably fall after a short resistance, as I have been informed that the heavy guns all point seaward, and there is but slight provision made to resist an attack from the interior."
Of course, the Confederates either already had or were quickly building a line of fortifications across the peninsula to the Cape Fear River.
At the time, however, Union efforts along the Atlantic coast were primarily directed at capturing Charleston and the attack on Wilmington was postponed and the city continued a haven for blockade-runners until the fall of Fort Fisher in early 1865.
Thinkin' 'Bout It. --Old B-R'er
Making Plans to Capture Wilmington-- Part 1
NOVEMBER 24TH, 1863.
Rear Admiral Lee wrote Secretary Welles regarding a conversation he had with General Benjamin F. Butler while reconnoitering the Sounds of North Carolina: I gave him my views respecting the best method of attacking Wilmington, viz, either march from New Berne and seize the best and nearest fortified inlet on the north of Fort Fisher, thence to cross and blockade the Cape Fear River, or to land below Fort Caswell (the key to the position) and blockade the river from the right bank between Smithville and Brunswick.
Four days later, Commander W.A. Parker supported the admiral's views after making his own observations. He recommended a joint Army-Navy assault to capture Fort Fisher.
More to Come --Old B-Runner
Rear Admiral Lee wrote Secretary Welles regarding a conversation he had with General Benjamin F. Butler while reconnoitering the Sounds of North Carolina: I gave him my views respecting the best method of attacking Wilmington, viz, either march from New Berne and seize the best and nearest fortified inlet on the north of Fort Fisher, thence to cross and blockade the Cape Fear River, or to land below Fort Caswell (the key to the position) and blockade the river from the right bank between Smithville and Brunswick.
Four days later, Commander W.A. Parker supported the admiral's views after making his own observations. He recommended a joint Army-Navy assault to capture Fort Fisher.
More to Come --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Blockade Runner Banshee
From Wikipedia.
Built in Liverpool, England, and launched in 1862, built specifically for the blockade-running trade, 210 feet long with a speed of 11.5 knots and 1200 tons. Steel-hulled and its maiden voyage across the Atlantic was a "first" for a steel-hulled ship.
In the next seven months, it made seven round trip runs through the blockade from either Bermuda or the Bahamas to Wilmington, NC. Future New York shipping magnate F.W.J. Hurst was second in command on all of those voyages.
Captured en route to Wilmington on November 21, 1863 by the USS Grand Gulf and Army transport Fulton.
The Navy bought the ship and converted it into a gunboat mounting one 100-pdr gun and two 30-pdr. guns. Commissioned June 1864 and assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Took part in the first attack on Fort Fisher in December 1864 and later assigned to the Potomac Flotilla in mid-January. Decommissioned and sold November 1865.
Began commercial service and renamed the T.L. Smallwoord (or J.L. Smallwoood). Sold to British interests in 1868, renamed and continued service into the 1890s.
--Old B-Runner
Salter Path, NC
In the earlier post of today, I wrote about the USS Grand Gulf and Army transport Fulton capturing the blockade-runner Banshee on November 21, 1863 by Salter Path, NC. I have never heard of Salter Path, but it being in NC, figured it must have something to do with Wilmington.
Salter Path is an unincorporated community in Carteret County, part of NC's Crystal Coast. It is located on Bogue Banks and is part of Indian Beach.
History has it as a frequent refuge of the pirate Blackbeard.
--Old B-R'er
Salter Path is an unincorporated community in Carteret County, part of NC's Crystal Coast. It is located on Bogue Banks and is part of Indian Beach.
History has it as a frequent refuge of the pirate Blackbeard.
--Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- November 21-23, 1863: Capture of Banshee, Those Darn Torpedoes
NOVEMBER 21ST
The USS Grand Gulf and Army transport Fulton capture the blockade-running British steamer Banshee south of Salter Path, NC.
NOVEMBER 22ND: USS Jacob Bell transported troops to St. George's Island, Maryland, and captured some 30 Confederates, some of them blockade runners.
NOVEMBER 23RD: The threat of Confederate torpedoes in rivers and coastal areas became an increasing threat as the war continued. The necessary precautions slowed Northern operations and tied up ships for picket duty that might otherwise have been better utilized.
This date, Secretary Welles wrote Captain Gansevoort on the USS Roanoke, at Newport News: "Since the discovery of the torpedo on James River, near Newport News, the Department has felt some uneasiness with regard to the position of your vessel, as it evidently is the design of the rebels to drift such machines of destruction upon her.... Vigilance is demanded."
Gansevoort replied two days later saying not to worry, that his ship was in deepest water and that "until very lately...a picket boat had been kept underway during all night just above this anchorage to prevent such missiles from approaching the ship." Also, the ship Poppy was assigned to that duty as well as a gunboat anchored above the Roanoke.
Those Dadburn Confed. Torps. --Old B-Runner
The USS Grand Gulf and Army transport Fulton capture the blockade-running British steamer Banshee south of Salter Path, NC.
NOVEMBER 22ND: USS Jacob Bell transported troops to St. George's Island, Maryland, and captured some 30 Confederates, some of them blockade runners.
NOVEMBER 23RD: The threat of Confederate torpedoes in rivers and coastal areas became an increasing threat as the war continued. The necessary precautions slowed Northern operations and tied up ships for picket duty that might otherwise have been better utilized.
This date, Secretary Welles wrote Captain Gansevoort on the USS Roanoke, at Newport News: "Since the discovery of the torpedo on James River, near Newport News, the Department has felt some uneasiness with regard to the position of your vessel, as it evidently is the design of the rebels to drift such machines of destruction upon her.... Vigilance is demanded."
Gansevoort replied two days later saying not to worry, that his ship was in deepest water and that "until very lately...a picket boat had been kept underway during all night just above this anchorage to prevent such missiles from approaching the ship." Also, the ship Poppy was assigned to that duty as well as a gunboat anchored above the Roanoke.
Those Dadburn Confed. Torps. --Old B-Runner
November 20, 1863: Farragut Anxious to Get Back to Duty
NOVEMBER 20, 1863:
Rear Admiral Farragut is eager to get back to sea duty in the Gulf after his well-deserved rest. This date he wrote Welles from New York that the USS Brooklyn and Hartford "will not be ready for sea in less than three weeks.... I particularly regret it, because I see that General Banks is in the field and my services may be required."
He had also received a letter from Commodore Bell, commanding in the Gulf in Farragut's absence, saying that he didn't have enough ships to serve on the Texas coast and maintain the blockade elsewhere as well.
He also knew of ironclads building at St. Louis that just drew six feet of water and that they would be perfect for use on the Texas coast and would like them to be sent to the Guld. Welles wrote Porter, commanding on the Mississippi, who said he'd send them.
Ironclads to Texas. --Old B-Runner
Rear Admiral Farragut is eager to get back to sea duty in the Gulf after his well-deserved rest. This date he wrote Welles from New York that the USS Brooklyn and Hartford "will not be ready for sea in less than three weeks.... I particularly regret it, because I see that General Banks is in the field and my services may be required."
He had also received a letter from Commodore Bell, commanding in the Gulf in Farragut's absence, saying that he didn't have enough ships to serve on the Texas coast and maintain the blockade elsewhere as well.
He also knew of ironclads building at St. Louis that just drew six feet of water and that they would be perfect for use on the Texas coast and would like them to be sent to the Guld. Welles wrote Porter, commanding on the Mississippi, who said he'd send them.
Ironclads to Texas. --Old B-Runner
150 Years Ago-- November 18, 1863: The Mississippi Still Not Safe
NOVEMBER 18TH
Captain Thomas A. Faries, CSA, commanding a battery near Hog Point, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, to disrupt Union shipping on the river, wrote of a battle with three Union warships.
He wrote that the USS Choctow "left her position above, and, passing down, delivered a very heavy fire from her bow, side, and stern guns, enfilading for a short time the four rifle guns in the redoubt."
--Old B-R'er
Captain Thomas A. Faries, CSA, commanding a battery near Hog Point, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, to disrupt Union shipping on the river, wrote of a battle with three Union warships.
He wrote that the USS Choctow "left her position above, and, passing down, delivered a very heavy fire from her bow, side, and stern guns, enfilading for a short time the four rifle guns in the redoubt."
--Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago: Today, Nov. 19, 1863: That Little Old Speech Out At Gettysburg
Of course, 150 years ago, it was time for one Abraham Lincoln, president of one United States (not so united at the time) to deliver one short, but impactful and insightful speech at the dedication of a National Cemetery at Gettysburg where so many had died some four months earlier.
That man surely had a way with words and phrasing. Who'd have thought of calling 87 years ago like that?
Anyway, I will have an interesting retraction by a Pennsylvania newspaper on their review of the speech in my Saw the Elephant Blog later today.
-- Old B-Runner
Monday, November 18, 2013
150 Years Ago Today-- November 18, 1863
NOVEMBER 18TH:
Merchant schooner Joseph L. Garrity. 2 days out of Matamoras and bound for New York, is seized by five southern sympathizers under Thomas E. Hogg, later Master in the CSN. They had boarded as passengers. Sailed the ship to British Honduras where he entered her as the blockade runner Eureka and sold its cargo of cotton.
Three of the crew were eventually captured in Liverpool and charged as pirates, but by June 1, 1864, had been acquitted. The Garrity was turned over to the U.S. commercial agent in Belize and later returned to her owners. That's one way to get yourself a blockade-runner and make some dough.
--Old B-Runner.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
150 Years Ago-- November 16-17, 1863: Confederate Losses in the West Hurt Eastern Naval Operations
NOVEMBER 16TH, 1863:
Union successes in the West were hurting Confederate naval operations in the east. Cmdr. John K. Mitchell, CSN, wrote Mallory that there was a serious shortage of fuels needed for manufacturing. "The occupation of Chattanooga in August has effectually cut off the supply from mines in that region, upon which the public works in Georgia and South Carolina and naval vessels in the waters of those states are dependent."
NOVEMBER 16-17: USS Monongahela escorted Army transports and covered the landing of 1,000 troops on Mustang Island, Aransas Pass, Texas.
NOVEMBER 17TH: Asst. Secretary Fox wrote Rear Admiral S.P. Lee praising the effectiveness of his squadron: "I congratulate you upon the captures off Wilmington. Nine steamers have been lost to the rebels in a short time, all due to the 'fine spirit' of our people engaged in the blockade. It is severe duty and well maintained and Jeff Davis pays us a higher compliment than our own people when he declares that there is but one port in 3500 miles through which they can get supplies."
Blockade Getting Serious. --Old B-R'er
150 Years Ago-- November 15-16,1863: USS Lehigh Has Close Call
NOVEMBER 15TH:
The USS Ladona seizes blockade running British schooner Arctic southwest of Frying Pan Shoals, NC, with cargo of salt.
NOVEMBER 15-16TH:
Fort Moultrie opened a heavy bombardment on Union positions at Cumming's Point, Morris Island. Brig. General Gillmore asked for naval help to prevent an attack by boats. Dahlgren had his tugs on patrol duty keep "a good lookout." Monitor USS Lehigh grounded while covering Cumming's Point and the next morning came under heavy fire until pulled off by the USS Nahant.
Five members of the Lehigh received Medals of Honor for heroism while carrying a line from the two ships. The USS Nahant even served during the Spanish-American War protecting New York City.
--Old B-Runner
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