From the March 4th Mobile (Al) Press-Register.
The event was greeted with rough weather, lots of wind and 6-8 foot seas, but US Naval re-enactors Paul Leonard and Judson Locke rode aboard a launch out to the guided missile destroyer USS Farragut in the Gulf of Mexico off Dixey Bar, to lay a wreath over the wreck of the monitor USS Tecumseh which hit a torpedo (mine) at the Battle of Mobile Bay August 5, 1864. It sank quickly, taking 93 men to their deaths. They still remain in the ship.
The USS Farragut, named for the Union Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, who commanded at the battle, was on its way to dock at Mobile for the Mardi Gras celebration (Mobile is where the first Mardi Gras in the US was held).
This is the fifth ship in the US Navy to carry the name Farragut. The first four were commissioned in 1898, 1920, 1944 and 1965.
The 1898 ship was a torpedo boat. All the others were destroyers. The newest USS Farragut was commissioned in 2006.
For the ceremony, the crew manned the starboard side facing Fort Morgan while the two re-enactors three the wreath in the water off the aft deck. The Farragut then sounded a long blast on the whistle and a lone cannon boomed out from the fort.
David G. Farragut was famous for his quote "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" at the Battle of Mobile Bay. The Union fleet slowed down when it came to the Confederate mine field and Farragut ordered it to steam ahead regardless. The USS Tecumseh then hit a torpedo (mine) and sank. The battle ended with a Union victory.
The new USS Farragut calls itself "Full Speed" and is 590 feet long, 55 feet wide and has a crew of 265.
An Honor Well-Deserved. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Fort Morgan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Morgan. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Battle of Mobile Bay-- Part 2
The anniversary of the battle of Mobile Bay, where Admiral Farragut's fleet passed by Forts Morgan and Gaines and into Mobile Bay, Alabama, was last Thursday, August 5th. That was 1864, 146 years ago.
The successful passage and capture of the Confederate ironclad CSS Tennessee, however, did not mark the end of fighting in Mobile Bay. The fort's still remained in Confederate hands and had to be captured.
Fort Gaines soon surrendered. On August 9th, Union troops landed at Navy Cove to the east of Fort Morgan, cutting the fort off from relief and then began pushing entrenchments westward. By August 20th, they were within 200 yards of Morgan. After a major bombardment on August 22nd, the fort surrendered.
Fort Morgan had been designed to withstand a siege for two weeks, which was how long the fort's engineers expected it would take a relief column to arrive and drive off any attackers.
There was, however, to be no relief, plus, those engineers could never have guessed how much more powerful cannons and ships would be by the 1860s.
Another Confederate Fort Falls. --B-R'er
The successful passage and capture of the Confederate ironclad CSS Tennessee, however, did not mark the end of fighting in Mobile Bay. The fort's still remained in Confederate hands and had to be captured.
Fort Gaines soon surrendered. On August 9th, Union troops landed at Navy Cove to the east of Fort Morgan, cutting the fort off from relief and then began pushing entrenchments westward. By August 20th, they were within 200 yards of Morgan. After a major bombardment on August 22nd, the fort surrendered.
Fort Morgan had been designed to withstand a siege for two weeks, which was how long the fort's engineers expected it would take a relief column to arrive and drive off any attackers.
There was, however, to be no relief, plus, those engineers could never have guessed how much more powerful cannons and ships would be by the 1860s.
Another Confederate Fort Falls. --B-R'er
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Battle of Mobile Bay-- Part 1
From the August 8th Baldwin County (Al) Press Register "Southern Soapbox: Battle of Mobile Bay more than trivia" by Guy Busby.
This time of the year, it's hot, but imagine how hot it was in Mobile Bay 146 years ago, especially when you had men in wool uniforms digging trenches and earthworks and hauling heavy cannons and equipment. And, this was before we had such a thing as a heat index indicating how hot it feels besides what it says on the thermometer.
Then there were other men in wool uniforms toiling away in iron ships where temperatures could reach 130 degrees plus.
For three years, Union ships and Confederate forts had stood off each other with three miles in between. This was the effective range of cannons at the time
This all ended August 5, 1864 when the Union fleet attacked.
A Hot Time in the Old Fort Tonight. --Old B-Runner
This time of the year, it's hot, but imagine how hot it was in Mobile Bay 146 years ago, especially when you had men in wool uniforms digging trenches and earthworks and hauling heavy cannons and equipment. And, this was before we had such a thing as a heat index indicating how hot it feels besides what it says on the thermometer.
Then there were other men in wool uniforms toiling away in iron ships where temperatures could reach 130 degrees plus.
For three years, Union ships and Confederate forts had stood off each other with three miles in between. This was the effective range of cannons at the time
This all ended August 5, 1864 when the Union fleet attacked.
A Hot Time in the Old Fort Tonight. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Fort Morgan/Battle of Mobile Bay Anniversary
A big to-do is scheduled for this weekend at Fort Morgan to celebrate the 145th anniversary of what they're calling the largest naval engagement of the Civil War (I would have thought it was Fort Fisher, myself).
The actual battle began August 5, 1864. A siege then began of Fort Morgan until its surrender August 23, 1864.
It has been named one of the Top Ten Events by the Alabama Tourist Department.
Fort Gaines on nearby Dauphin Island will also be holding activities in conjunction with Fort Morgan.
There will be artillery duels, and a battle between the USS Manhattan and CSS Tennessee, both ironclads which fought at the battle. These are ships normally representing the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia on loan from the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia.
A $5 admission will be charged both today and tomorrow.
Sounds Like the Place to Be If You're in the Area. --B-R'er
The actual battle began August 5, 1864. A siege then began of Fort Morgan until its surrender August 23, 1864.
It has been named one of the Top Ten Events by the Alabama Tourist Department.
Fort Gaines on nearby Dauphin Island will also be holding activities in conjunction with Fort Morgan.
There will be artillery duels, and a battle between the USS Manhattan and CSS Tennessee, both ironclads which fought at the battle. These are ships normally representing the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia on loan from the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia.
A $5 admission will be charged both today and tomorrow.
Sounds Like the Place to Be If You're in the Area. --B-R'er
Friday, July 24, 2009
Mobile Bay Battle Re-enactment
August 1-2, there will be a large re-enactment of the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Two ironclads from the National Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia, will be on hand. Federal siege works will bombard Fort Morgan with artillery. Confederate mortar batteries will return fire. Many sandbags will be placed around the fort. like in the original battle.
If You're Into the Naval Aspect of the War, This Cold Be Right Up Your Alley. --Old B-R'er
Two ironclads from the National Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia, will be on hand. Federal siege works will bombard Fort Morgan with artillery. Confederate mortar batteries will return fire. Many sandbags will be placed around the fort. like in the original battle.
If You're Into the Naval Aspect of the War, This Cold Be Right Up Your Alley. --Old B-R'er
Saturday, July 11, 2009
USS Tecumseh Memorial Planned-- Part 2
Randy Atkins hopes to have the memorial in place by the time of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 2014. He was in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, last week drumming up support from the town and county as well as local Indian Nation.
The fact that just a single buoy marks the spot bothers him greatly.
After the Tecumseh sank August 5, 1864, it was largely forgotten until the US government sold salvage rights to a local firm for $50 which planned on using explosives to break it apart. However, relatives of the dead crew organized and it did not come to pass.
In 1974, there was thought of raising it. About 90% of the ship is covered with mud and as such, it is in excellent condition. However, it was estimated the project would cost $10 million so it was dropped. Today it would cost $80 million to raise.
An estimated 500,000 artifacts are aboard along with two 15-inch Dahlgren guns. In 1967, the Smithsonian Institution dove on the wreck and recovered the ship's anchor and dishes from the wreck.
Hats Off to Mr. Atkins!! --B-Runner
The fact that just a single buoy marks the spot bothers him greatly.
After the Tecumseh sank August 5, 1864, it was largely forgotten until the US government sold salvage rights to a local firm for $50 which planned on using explosives to break it apart. However, relatives of the dead crew organized and it did not come to pass.
In 1974, there was thought of raising it. About 90% of the ship is covered with mud and as such, it is in excellent condition. However, it was estimated the project would cost $10 million so it was dropped. Today it would cost $80 million to raise.
An estimated 500,000 artifacts are aboard along with two 15-inch Dahlgren guns. In 1967, the Smithsonian Institution dove on the wreck and recovered the ship's anchor and dishes from the wreck.
Hats Off to Mr. Atkins!! --B-Runner
Friday, July 10, 2009
USS Tecumseh Memorial Planned-- Part 1
From the Tecumseh Countywide News, July 9th, Tecumseh, Oklahoma. "Drive Begins to Recognize Lost Crew of USS Tecumseh."
The USS Tecumseh, a Civil War Monitor ironclad sits at the bottom of Mobile Bay near where it sank off Fort Morgan as Admiral Farragut was running past the fort. His order to proceed full-speed ahead, regardless of torpedoes (mines) was followed, and the Tecumseh hit one and rapidly sank, taking 93 of her crew down. Only 20 escaped.
With few exceptions, it has mostly been forgotten, until now.
Randy Atkins visited Fort Morgan in 1986 and was surprised that only a single buoy marks the final resting place of the gallant crew. He has been back several times and now has permission to build a memorial. What he needs is money, which is estimated to be at between $5,000 and $250,000 depending upon how elaborate it will be.
He has a website at www.usstecumsehmemorialproject.com
Best of Luck to You Mr. Atkins. --Old B-Runner
The USS Tecumseh, a Civil War Monitor ironclad sits at the bottom of Mobile Bay near where it sank off Fort Morgan as Admiral Farragut was running past the fort. His order to proceed full-speed ahead, regardless of torpedoes (mines) was followed, and the Tecumseh hit one and rapidly sank, taking 93 of her crew down. Only 20 escaped.
With few exceptions, it has mostly been forgotten, until now.
Randy Atkins visited Fort Morgan in 1986 and was surprised that only a single buoy marks the final resting place of the gallant crew. He has been back several times and now has permission to build a memorial. What he needs is money, which is estimated to be at between $5,000 and $250,000 depending upon how elaborate it will be.
He has a website at www.usstecumsehmemorialproject.com
Best of Luck to You Mr. Atkins. --Old B-Runner
Monday, October 6, 2008
SS Republic Exhibit
The September 5th Pensacola, Fl., papers reported that the oOysseys Shipwreck Treasures from the SS Republic opened at the Balwin County Heritage Museum in Elberta, Alabama. It was originally scheduled to open Labor Day, but Hurricane Gustav put a kabosh on that.
It includes video of the shipwreck which lies in 1,700 feet of water in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia where it sank in an 1865 hurricane while carrying a huge treasure trove of $400,000 in gold and silver coins, the largest in Civil War era shipping.
There are also photos of the wreck, interactive exhibits, and a large number of the 51,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts recovered from it.
During the Civil War, it participated as a Union ship at the Battle of Mobile Bay as the USS Tennessee. It's wreck was located by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc, in 2003.
Give me the Money. --Old B-Runner.
It includes video of the shipwreck which lies in 1,700 feet of water in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia where it sank in an 1865 hurricane while carrying a huge treasure trove of $400,000 in gold and silver coins, the largest in Civil War era shipping.
There are also photos of the wreck, interactive exhibits, and a large number of the 51,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts recovered from it.
During the Civil War, it participated as a Union ship at the Battle of Mobile Bay as the USS Tennessee. It's wreck was located by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc, in 2003.
Give me the Money. --Old B-Runner.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Name That Ship, But Do It Fast!!!
That ship that was uncovered by Hurricane Ike near Fort Morgan, Alabama, may soon be gone. And, we're not talking about the elements. Large parts of it have been disappearing because of souvenir hunters.
They still don't know what its name is, but soon that will be a gone deal, as there won't be anything left to identify.
They are still saying it might be the Confederate battleship Monticello, or the rumrunner. I still say the Confederacy, unfortunately, had NO BATTLESHIPS>
They still don't know what its name is, but soon that will be a gone deal, as there won't be anything left to identify.
They are still saying it might be the Confederate battleship Monticello, or the rumrunner. I still say the Confederacy, unfortunately, had NO BATTLESHIPS>
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Quick Look at the Alerts
I have quite a few Yahoo and Google Civil War Alerts.
A quick look at them from the road:
A New Zealand newspaper picked up the story about the mystery ship uncovered by Ike near Fort Morgan. I see they are still thinking it could be thw Confederate blockade runner Monticello and a few are still referring to it as a Confederate battleship. Sure would have been nice if the Confederacy had had battleships. A ship like the USS North Carolina would have made short work of the Union blockading fleets.
Another blog was about the USS Gettysburg which was a former blockade runner (or is that a battleship) that captured blockade runners off Wilmington and took part in both attacks on Fort Fisher. The blog entry was very short, but someone else made a long comment which provides you with all you could ever want to know about that ship as well as its service after the war.
Down Da Old Civil War Road. --Old B-Runner
A quick look at them from the road:
A New Zealand newspaper picked up the story about the mystery ship uncovered by Ike near Fort Morgan. I see they are still thinking it could be thw Confederate blockade runner Monticello and a few are still referring to it as a Confederate battleship. Sure would have been nice if the Confederacy had had battleships. A ship like the USS North Carolina would have made short work of the Union blockading fleets.
Another blog was about the USS Gettysburg which was a former blockade runner (or is that a battleship) that captured blockade runners off Wilmington and took part in both attacks on Fort Fisher. The blog entry was very short, but someone else made a long comment which provides you with all you could ever want to know about that ship as well as its service after the war.
Down Da Old Civil War Road. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Ike Unearths Mystery Ship Near Fort Morgan, Alabama
It might be the blockade-runner (Hey, that's my Name) Monticello, but, maybe it isn't. The last time this much of the vessel was seen was after Hurricane Camille in 1969. Since then, at times parts have been visible off and on.
Author Jack Friend says that there have been many shipwrecks in this area in the past 500 years, so it might be the Monticello, but again, maybe not.
The schooner Monticello (I've also seen it called a sloop and the USA Today called it a battleship) was driven aground near the site on June 26, 1862, and burned by the Union Navy. There is charred wood near the beach level.
The location and description match. This ship is 150 feet long and 36 feet wide.
Sidney Schell says the Monticello left Havana on its way to Mobile when it was intercepted.
I also saw that it could be a ship called the Ivanhoe which has an iron hull, but this wreck is inside the Fort Morgan Historic Park.
Who Knows, Who Knows Quoth the Raven. --Old Blockade-Runner
Author Jack Friend says that there have been many shipwrecks in this area in the past 500 years, so it might be the Monticello, but again, maybe not.
The schooner Monticello (I've also seen it called a sloop and the USA Today called it a battleship) was driven aground near the site on June 26, 1862, and burned by the Union Navy. There is charred wood near the beach level.
The location and description match. This ship is 150 feet long and 36 feet wide.
Sidney Schell says the Monticello left Havana on its way to Mobile when it was intercepted.
I also saw that it could be a ship called the Ivanhoe which has an iron hull, but this wreck is inside the Fort Morgan Historic Park.
Who Knows, Who Knows Quoth the Raven. --Old Blockade-Runner
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Some More on the Fort Morgan Shell
As mentioned in an earlier "Running the Blockade," June 26th, a shell was found earlier this summer at Fort Morgan, guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay. This past February, I walked the fort's papapets after driving for what seemed to be forever to get there. It was a chilly and windy day so I was walking rather fast. Perhaps I might even have stood on this very shell. I could see the headlines now, "Dazed man Blown Up at Fort morgan."
From the June 23rd Press-Register.
A ninety pound shell fired at Fort Morgan was found buried after 144 years in the sand of the east wall. It had been underfoot of soldiers and tourists (including the old B-Runner) for all these years and was pointing north.
WHO FIRED IT?
On July 4, 1864, four Union ships opened fire on the fort, and three of them, the Hartford, Richmond and Brooklyn carriued guns capable of firing it. Six weeks later came the siege and passing Fort Morgan by the Union fleet. There were 100-pounder Parrots on eleven Union vessels at that time, so it could have been fired by one of them.
It is rusted, but the slots to fit thecannon grooves are still there on the 18 inch long, 6.4 inch diameter shell.
After disarming, it will go back to the fort's museum.
For Gosh Sake, Watch Where You Walk on a Civil War Battlefield. --Old B-Runner
From the June 23rd Press-Register.
A ninety pound shell fired at Fort Morgan was found buried after 144 years in the sand of the east wall. It had been underfoot of soldiers and tourists (including the old B-Runner) for all these years and was pointing north.
WHO FIRED IT?
On July 4, 1864, four Union ships opened fire on the fort, and three of them, the Hartford, Richmond and Brooklyn carriued guns capable of firing it. Six weeks later came the siege and passing Fort Morgan by the Union fleet. There were 100-pounder Parrots on eleven Union vessels at that time, so it could have been fired by one of them.
It is rusted, but the slots to fit thecannon grooves are still there on the 18 inch long, 6.4 inch diameter shell.
After disarming, it will go back to the fort's museum.
For Gosh Sake, Watch Where You Walk on a Civil War Battlefield. --Old B-Runner
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