Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

December 15, 1861 – The Sailors at Cairo

The Cairo correspondent of the St. Louis Republican writes :

The seamen who lately arrived from the East, and who are now quartered on the receiving ship Maria Denning, are a queer set, haying customs, thoughts and, expressions peculiar to themselves. They attract considerable attention when allowed on shore. Directly, on their arrival, while they were being transferred from the cars to the boat, some of them picked up a little; boy, about knee high, a bright little fellow who was just beginning to talk, stuffed him in a mess chest and smuggled him in board. They tattoed the youngster with their marks, and took such rough care of him as they could. When asked where they got him, they swore that he belonged to them, and that they had brought him from the East. The “old man,” however, was not satisfied, knowing their tricks by experience. He took the little fellow on shore, bought him a cap and feather, with other “fancy fixings” and after a time found his home, restoring him to his anxious mother.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

December 8, 1861 – The Fight With the Rebel Steamer Patrick Henry

CSS Patrick Henry, showing a sidewheel steamer under steam through the water.

(From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec. 3.)

For some days past two or three of the federal gunboats have been in the habit of running up James river five or six miles above Newport News each evening, and remaining there all night. What the object of this is unknown, unless it may have been to keep a watch on the movements of the Confederate steamer Patrick Henry. These gunboats on Sunday evening repelled this same manouvre, and on yesterday morning the Patrick Henry got under way from her position further up James river and came down. On seeing her the gunboats left immediately and put out down the river towards the blockading ships. The Patrick Henry continued her chase after them, and they ran in under the protection of the guns of the frigates Cumberland and Congress and the fort at Newport News.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 27, 1861 – Sailing of the Stone Fleet

The Stone Fleet, showing numerous sailing vessels clustered together on the sea.

The stone fleet, not, however, with pomp or banners sailed from New London, Ct., Nov. 20th. Twelve or fifteen vessels departed from this port, all bound south and all laden with stone. The crafts were old whalers, some of the largest size, but a hard-looking set. They have spent their lives nudging the icebergs, and have been industrious in their vocation of seeking material to illuminate the world and to make life tolerable at night to those who slept not. An immense quantity of midnight oil have they gathered in their day. They go now to illustrate the ideas of commerce which prevail in the darker portion, girt with sandbars, of our disturbed republic.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 22, 1861 – The Capture of Our Ministers to France and England

The San Jacinto Stopping the Treat. Shows a warship firing a warning shot across the bow of a sidewheel steamer.

We are still without full details of this capture of our Ministers, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, but are able to supply a few additional particulars:

The vessel from which they were taken, is the British mail steamer Trent. This steamer when only one day out from Havana, on her voyage to England, was arrested by the U. S. Screw Frigate, San Jacinto. The particular circumstances of the removal of Messrs. Mason and Slidell from her decks, we do not know, save that it was by exhibition of force against protest. These gentlemen and their attaches were then brought to Fortress Monroe, which place they reached on the 16th.—The next day they were started to New York, which city they probably reached on Monday last.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

November 21, 1861 – A Springfield Boy at Port Royal

From the Springfield (Mass.) Republican.

The following letter from John L. Barnes [Editor’s Note: actually John Sanford Barnes, not L.], an officer on the flag ship Wabash of the great naval expedition, to his friends in this city, will be read with interest by his numerous friends at home:

United States Ship Wabash,
Port Royal, Monday, Nov. 11.

You have already heard of our glorious success here and the complete discomfiture of the chivalry of the state which has mainly brought about our present difficulties. The expedition was swarming with reporters, and their accounts will give you full particulars. It is as you may well imagine, nothing but work—work from early morning until late at night, and sometimes all night. I have hardly time to write you more than that I am well, and thankful for the protection of Almighty God, thrown around us during the battle.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

Stolen Boots

Ship Deserter Locked up.

At the City Police Court, before Mr. G. P. M. Murray, P.M., and Messrs. D. Gallway, T. H. Cowl, and J. J. Banks, JJ.P., on Wednesday, Thomas Murray, on remand, who gave himself up tor stealing a pair of boots, saying he had deserted from the ship Glenburn and wished to be locked up, was again before the bench.

Subinspector Burke prosecuted.