From the Jan. 19, 2011, Baytown (Tx) Sun.
Four cannon balls believed to be Civil War era have been recovered during dredging of the Texas City Ship Channel and might be from the wreck of the USS Westfield, a Union gunboat sunk during the 1863 Battle of Galveston.
Back in November 2009, a cannon and five cannon balls were found near where these were located.
The FBI examined them and found them to be inert and they were then turned over to the Navy for further preservation.
The Westfield mounted six cannons: 1X100 pdr. Parrot rifle, 1X9-inch Dahlgren smoothbore and 4X8-inch Dahlgren smoothores.
Watch Where You Step in Southern Waters. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label USS Westfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Westfield. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Staten Island Ferry Goes to Civil War
From Dec. 27th silive.com "Staten Island ferry goes to war: The Civil War-era tale of the USS Westfield" by Maura Yates.
A 10,000 pound Dahlgren cannon and other items have been salvaged from the bottom of a Galveston, Texas shipping channel that is going to be deepened. It originally was on the USS Westfield which was a ferry operating by New York City, but purchased by the US Navy in 1861. It participated at the 1862 Battle of New Orleans where it towed a Confederate fire raft away from the fleet.
After that, it served as the flagship of the Union fleet at Galveston. At the January 1, 1863, Battle of Galveston, it was attacked by two Confederate ships and appeared to be on the verge of being captured. The ship's captain, William Renshaw, ordered it blown up. But unfortunately for him, the fuse went off too soon, killing him and thirteen other sailors.
The cannon and five cannon balls were recovered. The Dahlgren will now go through 2-3 years of chemical and electrolyte treatment to preserve it.
Patricia Salmon, author of "The Staten Island Ferry: a History" said the ferries were well-suited for Naval needs along the rivers and waters of the Confederacy. Their shallow draft, sturdiness, and open decks were great for hauling heavy equipment and mounting guns. Plus the open floor plans were good for transporting supplies and caring for wounded soldiers.
After the Westfield joined the Union Navy, a second Westfield ferry was acquired and put into service in 1862. In 1871, a boiler exploded, killing 66 and injuring 200.
The Ship Gives Up a Final Treasure Before Destruction. --Old B-Runner
A 10,000 pound Dahlgren cannon and other items have been salvaged from the bottom of a Galveston, Texas shipping channel that is going to be deepened. It originally was on the USS Westfield which was a ferry operating by New York City, but purchased by the US Navy in 1861. It participated at the 1862 Battle of New Orleans where it towed a Confederate fire raft away from the fleet.
After that, it served as the flagship of the Union fleet at Galveston. At the January 1, 1863, Battle of Galveston, it was attacked by two Confederate ships and appeared to be on the verge of being captured. The ship's captain, William Renshaw, ordered it blown up. But unfortunately for him, the fuse went off too soon, killing him and thirteen other sailors.
The cannon and five cannon balls were recovered. The Dahlgren will now go through 2-3 years of chemical and electrolyte treatment to preserve it.
Patricia Salmon, author of "The Staten Island Ferry: a History" said the ferries were well-suited for Naval needs along the rivers and waters of the Confederacy. Their shallow draft, sturdiness, and open decks were great for hauling heavy equipment and mounting guns. Plus the open floor plans were good for transporting supplies and caring for wounded soldiers.
After the Westfield joined the Union Navy, a second Westfield ferry was acquired and put into service in 1862. In 1871, a boiler exploded, killing 66 and injuring 200.
The Ship Gives Up a Final Treasure Before Destruction. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, December 19, 2009
And, Speaking of the Battle of Galveston
A little while back I was wondering about the progress of work on the USS Westfield which was blown up at the Battle of Galveston during the Civil War.
I came across a report by TV News station KBTZ about the Dahlgren cannon which has been brought to the surface and is now being preserved.
There was also an interesting video along with the story at
http://www.kbtz.com/tamu/headlines/79010787.html
Texas A & M's Riverside campus has one of the foremost facilities to pereserve objects brought up from the sea called the Conservation Research Center.
On December 10th, they showed off their latest project, the five ton Dahlgren cannon raised from the wreck of the USS Westfield, which was blown up January 1, 1863. Now, 146 years later, it is once again above water.
Some 1201 of these cannons were made during the war and the recovery of this one brings the number remaining to 50.
Technically, the cannon still belongs to the US Navy, so it will be up to them to determine the gun's final destination.
Always Great to recover Something from the Sea. --B-Runner
I came across a report by TV News station KBTZ about the Dahlgren cannon which has been brought to the surface and is now being preserved.
There was also an interesting video along with the story at
http://www.kbtz.com/tamu/headlines/79010787.html
Texas A & M's Riverside campus has one of the foremost facilities to pereserve objects brought up from the sea called the Conservation Research Center.
On December 10th, they showed off their latest project, the five ton Dahlgren cannon raised from the wreck of the USS Westfield, which was blown up January 1, 1863. Now, 146 years later, it is once again above water.
Some 1201 of these cannons were made during the war and the recovery of this one brings the number remaining to 50.
Technically, the cannon still belongs to the US Navy, so it will be up to them to determine the gun's final destination.
Always Great to recover Something from the Sea. --B-Runner
Battle of Galveston Observed
Especially of interest because of the work on the sunken USS Westfield and raising of the Dahlgren cannon in the last months.
The Galveston Historical Foundation will be offering tours both on land and sea to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Galveston which occurred January 1, 1863.
Galveston had been held by Union forces since October 1862, but a joint Confederate land and sea attack this date took it back and Galveston remained under Confederate control for the rest of the war.
A Confederate fleet, including ships protected by bales of cotton called cottonclads attacked the 8 ship Union fleet, driving it off with the loss of the Harriet Land and destruction of the Westfield. Union losses in the battle were 150 casualties. Confederates 26 killed and 117 wounded.
Tours will include walking, a cemetery, driving and harbor ones.
The tours will be held January 8th to 10th.
Probably Warmer Than Here in Illinois As Well. --Old B-Runner
The Galveston Historical Foundation will be offering tours both on land and sea to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Galveston which occurred January 1, 1863.
Galveston had been held by Union forces since October 1862, but a joint Confederate land and sea attack this date took it back and Galveston remained under Confederate control for the rest of the war.
A Confederate fleet, including ships protected by bales of cotton called cottonclads attacked the 8 ship Union fleet, driving it off with the loss of the Harriet Land and destruction of the Westfield. Union losses in the battle were 150 casualties. Confederates 26 killed and 117 wounded.
Tours will include walking, a cemetery, driving and harbor ones.
The tours will be held January 8th to 10th.
Probably Warmer Than Here in Illinois As Well. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Remains of USS Westfield Being Explored
Divers and archaeologists have been working in the Texas City Ship Canal this past month in an attempt to recover items and especially a 10,000 pound cannon from the USS Westfield which was sunk in the Battle of Galveston in 1863.
Divers have been hindered by bad weather, strong currents and ship traffic.
However, it is now or never, because what remains of the wreck will be destroyed by the deepening of the channel by the US Army Corps of Engineers in a $71 million project that will deepen it to 40-45 feet to enable today's larger ships to use it.
As part of the project, $3 million has been set aside for preservation efforts.
THE USS WESTFIELD
It was a former Staten Island ferry bought from Cornelius Vanderbilt. It was armed with a 100-pdr. Parrott, 9-inch Dahlgren, and six 8-inch Dahlgren cannons. It served as the flagship of the Union fleet inder Cmdr. William B. Renshay.
On January 1, 1863, Confederates attacked Union troops and two Confederate cottonclad ships went after the fleet. The Westfield ran aground and was blown up to prevent capture.
However, the charge ignited too soon, killing Rensay and 13 sailors who were leaving the ship. Confederates removed all the cannons except the 9-inch Dahlgren.
Divers are attempting to remove it and ten other large items that have been located. These will be sent to the Conservation Research Lab at College Station, Texas.
Then a dredge will scoop the bottom and dump the contents into containers which will then be sifted and categorized.
Something from the Past Recovered. --Old B-R
Divers have been hindered by bad weather, strong currents and ship traffic.
However, it is now or never, because what remains of the wreck will be destroyed by the deepening of the channel by the US Army Corps of Engineers in a $71 million project that will deepen it to 40-45 feet to enable today's larger ships to use it.
As part of the project, $3 million has been set aside for preservation efforts.
THE USS WESTFIELD
It was a former Staten Island ferry bought from Cornelius Vanderbilt. It was armed with a 100-pdr. Parrott, 9-inch Dahlgren, and six 8-inch Dahlgren cannons. It served as the flagship of the Union fleet inder Cmdr. William B. Renshay.
On January 1, 1863, Confederates attacked Union troops and two Confederate cottonclad ships went after the fleet. The Westfield ran aground and was blown up to prevent capture.
However, the charge ignited too soon, killing Rensay and 13 sailors who were leaving the ship. Confederates removed all the cannons except the 9-inch Dahlgren.
Divers are attempting to remove it and ten other large items that have been located. These will be sent to the Conservation Research Lab at College Station, Texas.
Then a dredge will scoop the bottom and dump the contents into containers which will then be sifted and categorized.
Something from the Past Recovered. --Old B-R
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