Continued from Jan. 26th.
Taking a closer look at the saltworks at Singleton Swash belonging to the Vaught family during the war, Acting Master Pennell, commanding the USS Ethan Allen, destroyed the works April 23, 1864.
In his report, he said:
"...we found the works much more extensive than I expected, they being partly concealed from the ship by a high sand ridge. There were four separate works, each containing four large pans, the water being raised from the beach by horse power,. leading onto a cistern large enough to contain 100,000 gallons, built of rimber planked and caulked on the inside.
There were 12 pans ready for setting, also timber and materials for extending the works to double its size.
There were about 30 buildings, three of them large warehouses built of heavy logs, containing about 2,000 bushels of salt, a large quantity of rice, corn and bacon.
One of the warehouses was constructed as a blockhouse, with loopholes on all sides."
Quite the Operation. And You Thought the Grand Strand Is Just Suds and Beer. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Grand Strand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grand Strand. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Grand Strand's Ties to the Civil War-- Part 4
Most of this information is coming from an excellent source, Ben Burroughs on his website as well as articles in the Myrtle Beach Sun-News.
Now that we have determined what a swash was, time to continue. These are definitely places I'll check out in between the ocean, pool, bars and Beach Music the next time we're at the Grand Strand.
Present day Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was largely an indigo plantation owned by the Wither family, hence the name Withers Swash as mentioned yesterday.
Surfside Beach was largely another indigo plantation owned by the Tillman family.
I guess the next question should be what exactly was indigo? I'm guessing some sort of a dye as I have come across the word before.
From the Aug. 16, 2007 Sun-News.
There were three major Confederate defensive works along the what is today called the Grand Strand. To the north was Fort Randall at the Little River Inlet, in the middle was a blockhouse at Singleton Swash, and at the southern end another fortification at Murrells Inlet.
The fort at Singleton Swash is generally overlooked and is described as a fort similar to Fort Randall. Protection of the area was a concern to Singleton Swash owner Peter Vaught, Sr., who had written the governor of South Carolina requesting additional troops to defend the area. The saltworks as his place were definitely turning out a lot of salt.
It doesn't appear that many additional troops were sent.
Still Not Finished. --Old B-Runner
Now that we have determined what a swash was, time to continue. These are definitely places I'll check out in between the ocean, pool, bars and Beach Music the next time we're at the Grand Strand.
Present day Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was largely an indigo plantation owned by the Wither family, hence the name Withers Swash as mentioned yesterday.
Surfside Beach was largely another indigo plantation owned by the Tillman family.
I guess the next question should be what exactly was indigo? I'm guessing some sort of a dye as I have come across the word before.
From the Aug. 16, 2007 Sun-News.
There were three major Confederate defensive works along the what is today called the Grand Strand. To the north was Fort Randall at the Little River Inlet, in the middle was a blockhouse at Singleton Swash, and at the southern end another fortification at Murrells Inlet.
The fort at Singleton Swash is generally overlooked and is described as a fort similar to Fort Randall. Protection of the area was a concern to Singleton Swash owner Peter Vaught, Sr., who had written the governor of South Carolina requesting additional troops to defend the area. The saltworks as his place were definitely turning out a lot of salt.
It doesn't appear that many additional troops were sent.
Still Not Finished. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What is a Swash, Anyway?
I couldn't help but wonder what a swash exactly was after mentioning the Withers and Singleton swashes in the previous entry.
Knowing it had something to do with saltworks, they would have to be near the ocean, the source of the salt. Other than swashbuckler, I've never really heard the term before.
So, I did some investigating. One source called it a creek coming in from the ocean, but the author wasn't sure.
Wikipedia referred to a swash as water that washes up on shore from an incoming wave.
It would probably be ocean water trapped on the beach after the wave recedes. I have seen small ones along beaches and they make a great place to enjoy the ocean without getting knocked around by waves. Plus, there are often small fish in them and quite fun to chase around in the pool.
Swashing Away At the Beach. --Old B-R'er
Knowing it had something to do with saltworks, they would have to be near the ocean, the source of the salt. Other than swashbuckler, I've never really heard the term before.
So, I did some investigating. One source called it a creek coming in from the ocean, but the author wasn't sure.
Wikipedia referred to a swash as water that washes up on shore from an incoming wave.
It would probably be ocean water trapped on the beach after the wave recedes. I have seen small ones along beaches and they make a great place to enjoy the ocean without getting knocked around by waves. Plus, there are often small fish in them and quite fun to chase around in the pool.
Swashing Away At the Beach. --Old B-R'er
The Grand Strand's Ties to the Civil War-- Part 3
Again, the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach and surrounding coastal area) in South Carolina is not all Beach Music, motels, miniature golf (oh yes, regular golf) and beaches. It did have a role of sorts in the Civil War.
I found this article in the Jan. 16, 2011, Myrtle Beach Sun News of great interest.
MURRELL'S INLET
A series of skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces broke out along the southern Grand Strand in late 1863. The USS Perry fired on a blockade-runner that was fitting out at Murrell's Inlet. When shells didn't succeed, two boats were sent ashore at what is now Litchfield Beach to attempt to set fire to it.
The 21st Georgia cavalry attacked those who landed, capturing three officers and 12 men.
Not to be denied, Union forces returned on December 30, 1863 with six ships and 100 marines. They destroyed the blockade-runner on New Years Day 1864.
ATTACKING THE SALTWORKS
All along the Confederate coast, saltworks were built during the war to supply that important commodity.
In April 1864, attacks were made at salt works in the Myrtle Beach area. The one at Singleton swash was hit first, followed by one at Withers swash a day later. A Federal officer described the saltworks at Singleton swash as being sizable, containing "about thirty buildings, three of them large warehouses built of heavy logs, containing about two thousand bushels of salt and large quantities of rice, corn and bacon."
The tidewater lagoon on the 11th fairway of the Dunes Club, near Singleton swash, may have been the site of a large saltwater holding tank for the saltworks.
The South Carolina Civil War Museum at Myrtle Beach has two large salt kettles from the works at Dunes Cove along with ladies clothing, uniforms, swords and exhibits and artifacts from the CSS Peedee and Mars Bluff Naval Yard.
Looks Like a Place I Have to Check Out the Next Time I'm on the Grand Strand. One of These Days I Hope to Get There for an SOS Party. --Old B-Runner
I found this article in the Jan. 16, 2011, Myrtle Beach Sun News of great interest.
MURRELL'S INLET
A series of skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces broke out along the southern Grand Strand in late 1863. The USS Perry fired on a blockade-runner that was fitting out at Murrell's Inlet. When shells didn't succeed, two boats were sent ashore at what is now Litchfield Beach to attempt to set fire to it.
The 21st Georgia cavalry attacked those who landed, capturing three officers and 12 men.
Not to be denied, Union forces returned on December 30, 1863 with six ships and 100 marines. They destroyed the blockade-runner on New Years Day 1864.
ATTACKING THE SALTWORKS
All along the Confederate coast, saltworks were built during the war to supply that important commodity.
In April 1864, attacks were made at salt works in the Myrtle Beach area. The one at Singleton swash was hit first, followed by one at Withers swash a day later. A Federal officer described the saltworks at Singleton swash as being sizable, containing "about thirty buildings, three of them large warehouses built of heavy logs, containing about two thousand bushels of salt and large quantities of rice, corn and bacon."
The tidewater lagoon on the 11th fairway of the Dunes Club, near Singleton swash, may have been the site of a large saltwater holding tank for the saltworks.
The South Carolina Civil War Museum at Myrtle Beach has two large salt kettles from the works at Dunes Cove along with ladies clothing, uniforms, swords and exhibits and artifacts from the CSS Peedee and Mars Bluff Naval Yard.
Looks Like a Place I Have to Check Out the Next Time I'm on the Grand Strand. One of These Days I Hope to Get There for an SOS Party. --Old B-Runner
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Grand Strand's Ties to the Civil War-- Part 1
From the Jan. 16, 2011 Myrtle Beach (SC) News Sun "Grand Strand has several ties to Civil War."
When most people think South Carolina in the Civil War, thoughts turn to Charleston, and rightfully so. When most think of Myrtle Beach or the Grand Strand, they think golf, beaches, or in my case, Beach Music.
However, there are some Civil War places along the Grand Strand.
BATTERY WHITE was built by Confederates around 1862 to protect Winyah Bay. It is now inside the Belle Island Yacht Club and on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Confederate Brig. Gen. J.H. Tipler, it was "almost, if not absolutely, impregnable."
But, throughout its wartime history, it suffered from lack of armament and manpower. The few soldiers who were there eventually deserted and told Union forces about it.
When the Union Navy came upon it in Feb. 1865, Admiral Dahlgren was impressed by it and reported: "The principal battery looks directly on the water, well planned and executed carefully, not only with reference to the cannonade by ships, but also to an assault from the water. ...If the work had been sufficiently manned, it would have required good troops to take the work."
Hit the Battery White label below for more information.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
When most people think South Carolina in the Civil War, thoughts turn to Charleston, and rightfully so. When most think of Myrtle Beach or the Grand Strand, they think golf, beaches, or in my case, Beach Music.
However, there are some Civil War places along the Grand Strand.
BATTERY WHITE was built by Confederates around 1862 to protect Winyah Bay. It is now inside the Belle Island Yacht Club and on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Confederate Brig. Gen. J.H. Tipler, it was "almost, if not absolutely, impregnable."
But, throughout its wartime history, it suffered from lack of armament and manpower. The few soldiers who were there eventually deserted and told Union forces about it.
When the Union Navy came upon it in Feb. 1865, Admiral Dahlgren was impressed by it and reported: "The principal battery looks directly on the water, well planned and executed carefully, not only with reference to the cannonade by ships, but also to an assault from the water. ...If the work had been sufficiently manned, it would have required good troops to take the work."
Hit the Battery White label below for more information.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
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