The old warship was slowly rotting away at Gosport and the Union sailors evacuating the place April 20, 1861, before the Confederates arrived didn't even bother to set fire to it as they scuttled the ship.
Confederates were desperate for anything that would float, and nine days later, April 29th, pumped it out and raised it and later commissioned it the CSS United States, although most called it the CSS Confederate States (after all, it wouldn't do to have a warship named after your enemy).
On June 15th, the date of Lee's letter, it began serving as a receiving ship for new Confederate sailors and had an additional role in harbor defense, mounting 19 cannons.
When Confederates abandoned the navy yard in May, 1862, the ship was sunk in the Elizabeth River as an obstruction to Union ships. Those trying to scuttle the vessel found the old timbers so strong that a whole box of axes were ruined. They finally had to settle on boring holes from the inside.
Shortly after the CSS Virginia was blown up May 11, 1862, and after Norfolk Navy Yard surrendered, the ship was raised and towed to the yard where it remained until March 1864 when the Bureau of Construction and Repair decided to have it broken up and the wood sold.
This was delayed until December 18th when work began.
An Interesting Ship Story. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Norfolk Virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norfolk Virginia. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Looking Back
From the Long Recall Blog.
April 23, 1861-- (From the Philadelphia Inquirer)The Navy Yard at Norfolk (Va.) was leveled yesterday. The Pennsylvania, Columbia, Delaware, Raritan and Merrimac were scuttled and sunk. Guns spiked and thrown overboard.
The Pocahontas and Cumberland evacuated remaining forces to Fort Monroe.
Virginia had seceded.
The War Heats Up. --Old B-R'er
April 23, 1861-- (From the Philadelphia Inquirer)The Navy Yard at Norfolk (Va.) was leveled yesterday. The Pennsylvania, Columbia, Delaware, Raritan and Merrimac were scuttled and sunk. Guns spiked and thrown overboard.
The Pocahontas and Cumberland evacuated remaining forces to Fort Monroe.
Virginia had seceded.
The War Heats Up. --Old B-R'er
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Colonel William Lamb-- Commander of Fort Fisher-- Part 2
William Lamb was wounded and captured at the fall of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. His imprisonment was near home, at Fort Monroe, before being released May 1, 1865.
The wound kept him crippled for seven years.
After release, he returned to Norfolk and was involved in several businesses and politics, serving three terms as mayor. While in office, he established public schools in the city for both white and black children.
A loyal supporter of the College of William and Mary, he gave of his time and money throughout his life. He also gave $50,000 to an organization that helped Confederate veterans.
He also became a good friend of Union General Curtis who had led the capture of Fort Fisher and been badly wounded himself. Lamb referred to Curtis as
"My Friend, the Enemy."
Lamb also became known as "The Hero of Fort Fisher. He died March 23, 1909, and was buried in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Hero of Fort Fisher. --Old B-Runner
The wound kept him crippled for seven years.
After release, he returned to Norfolk and was involved in several businesses and politics, serving three terms as mayor. While in office, he established public schools in the city for both white and black children.
A loyal supporter of the College of William and Mary, he gave of his time and money throughout his life. He also gave $50,000 to an organization that helped Confederate veterans.
He also became a good friend of Union General Curtis who had led the capture of Fort Fisher and been badly wounded himself. Lamb referred to Curtis as
"My Friend, the Enemy."
Lamb also became known as "The Hero of Fort Fisher. He died March 23, 1909, and was buried in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Hero of Fort Fisher. --Old B-Runner
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