Continuing with ships at the battle.
GOOD STORY, BUT NOT BUYING IT
Iron-hulled, side wheel steamer. 200 feet long, 34 feet beam, 6 guns.
The SS Arizona was completed in 1859 and carried passengers and freight from New Orleans to the Brazos River.
On January 15, 1862, it was seized by the Confederates and became the blockade-runner Caroline. On October 28, 1862the USS Montgomery gave it a six hour chase and captured it. The Caroline's commander said that he was bound for neutral Matamoras, Mexico, not Mobile. The Montgomery's commander replied, "I do not take you for running the blockade, but for your damned poor navigation. Any man bound for Matamoras from Havana and coming within twelve miles of the Mobile Light has no business to have a steamer."
Well, it was worth a shot, I guess.
USS ARIZONA
It was sent to Philadelphia, condemned, and bought by the US Navy in January 1863, and had its original name restored. It was among the US ships that attacked the CSS Queen of the West. On September 8, 1863, the Arizona took part in the Texas Channel action with the Clifton and Granite City. It was then at the Sabine Pass battle.
On February 27, 1865, a fir broke out aboard and it exploded and sank. Out of a crew of 98, only four were missing.
Some Interesting Naval Stories. --Old B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
