The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Naval Battery at Harpers Ferry, WV
The good folks at the Historical Marker data base, had a spotlight Jan. 27th on the Naval Battery at Maryland Heights, Harper's Ferry, WV, 300 feet above the Potomac River. It is on the grounds of Storer College.
It was the first Union fortification on the heights and built quickly in 1862 and armed with naval guns rushed from the Washington, DC, Naval Yard and manned by 300 sailors and marines.
Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign served as the impetus for construction. During the Antietam Campaign, its guns were turned up the heights at Confederates. The whole position was surrendered. Union forces returned a week later (after Sept. 22, 1862) and built forts along the crest of Maryland Heights. The Naval Battery was turned into an ordnance depot.
www.hmdb.com
Here a Gun, There a Gun. --Old B-Runner
Sunday, December 28, 2008
144th Anniversary of the First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 4
Dec. 28, 1864-- 144 years ago.
MORNING-- The blockade-runner Banshee enters at New Inlet.
5:30 PM-- President Lincoln asks Grant, "If there be no objection, please tell me what you understand of the Wilmington expedition, present and prospective."
Grant replies, "The Wilmington expedition has proven a gross and culpable failure. many of the troops are now back here. Delays and free talk of the object of the expedition enabled the enemy to move troops to Wilmington to defeat it. After the expedition sailed from Fort Monroe, three days of fine weather were squandered, during which the enemy was without a force to protect himself. Who is to blame I hope will be known."
Why, that guy would be Beast Butler himself.
A great day for the Confederacy, but not long-lived. Union forces would come back in three weeks, this time under the command of General Alfred Terry.
So Much for the First Battle. --Old B-Runner
MORNING-- The blockade-runner Banshee enters at New Inlet.
5:30 PM-- President Lincoln asks Grant, "If there be no objection, please tell me what you understand of the Wilmington expedition, present and prospective."
Grant replies, "The Wilmington expedition has proven a gross and culpable failure. many of the troops are now back here. Delays and free talk of the object of the expedition enabled the enemy to move troops to Wilmington to defeat it. After the expedition sailed from Fort Monroe, three days of fine weather were squandered, during which the enemy was without a force to protect himself. Who is to blame I hope will be known."
Why, that guy would be Beast Butler himself.
A great day for the Confederacy, but not long-lived. Union forces would come back in three weeks, this time under the command of General Alfred Terry.
So Much for the First Battle. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, December 27, 2008
144th Anniversary of the First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 3
Dec. 26th, Butler and army depart for Hampton Roads, Va. Bragg and Hoke reach Sugar Loaf.
Today, Dec. 27th-- Bragg allows the soldiers on the beach to escape. As the fleet sails away, Col. Lamb has the garrison fire a defiant parting volley.
At night, the blockade-runner Wild Rover runs the blockade into New Inlet. Business as usual resumes. Lamb and Whiting greatly dissatisfied with Bragg's inactivity.
Grant and Sec. of Navy Gideon Welles are infuriated to learn of the failure.
A Much-Needed Confederate Victory. But Would Have Been Better With the Capture of the "Abandoned" Troops. --Old B-Runner
Today, Dec. 27th-- Bragg allows the soldiers on the beach to escape. As the fleet sails away, Col. Lamb has the garrison fire a defiant parting volley.
At night, the blockade-runner Wild Rover runs the blockade into New Inlet. Business as usual resumes. Lamb and Whiting greatly dissatisfied with Bragg's inactivity.
Grant and Sec. of Navy Gideon Welles are infuriated to learn of the failure.
A Much-Needed Confederate Victory. But Would Have Been Better With the Capture of the "Abandoned" Troops. --Old B-Runner
Thursday, December 25, 2008
144th Anniversary of the First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2
It was 144 years ago today, Christmas Day and the Union attacking Confederates at Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Again, this is taken from the North Carolina Historic Sites.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/battle-1.htm
MORNING-- About 20 Union vessels shell beach north of the fort, specifically Sugar Loaf, Battery Gatlin, and Battery Anderson to pave way for Union Army's landing.
2 PM- Union Navy force under Lt. Cmdr. Cushing look for channel at New Inlet for possible attempt by shallower-draft gunboats to get behind the fort.
2 PM- Union infantry land on beach. Union General N. Martin Curtiss first ashore, followed by 500 men. Fighting with Kirkland's skirmishers. Curtiss and 142nd and 112th NY strike and drive them away.
3 PM-- Union forces advance to within mile and a half of fort. Curtiss pushes to within 75 yards of Shepherd's Battery.
3:20 PM-- Lt. Waller of 142nd NY pilfers the large garrison flag from outside the fort. It had been shot down by the naval bombardment. Lt. George Simpson climbs a telegraph pole and severs the line. Saw the inside of the fort.
Gen. Butler, in overall charge, decides the fort is too strong and his forces are between two strong Confederate positions.
DUSK-- Dark clouds roll in and wind picks up.
NIGHTFALL-- Federal Chief Engineer Comstock, Second Division commander general Ames decide to attack the fort. Curtiss advances a skirmish line of 3rd, 117th, and 142nd NY toward fort.
DARK-- Union Naval bombardment ceases.
Inside Fort Fisher, Lamb and Whiting hurry Confederate troops from bomb proofs to face impending attack. Open fire on advancing troops. Comstock and Ames alarmed by this and decide to follow Butler's orders to withdraw.
Curtiss and his men remain near the fort until a staff officer arrives to tell him the Federal landing force has returned to the transports.
By the time Curtiss gets to the landing site, the weather is too bad to disembark so about 600 men and several hundred Confederates captured earlier are force to remain stranded on the beach for two days.
Will Gen. Bragg Take Advantage of This. Wait and See. --Old B-R'er
Again, this is taken from the North Carolina Historic Sites.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/battle-1.htm
MORNING-- About 20 Union vessels shell beach north of the fort, specifically Sugar Loaf, Battery Gatlin, and Battery Anderson to pave way for Union Army's landing.
2 PM- Union Navy force under Lt. Cmdr. Cushing look for channel at New Inlet for possible attempt by shallower-draft gunboats to get behind the fort.
2 PM- Union infantry land on beach. Union General N. Martin Curtiss first ashore, followed by 500 men. Fighting with Kirkland's skirmishers. Curtiss and 142nd and 112th NY strike and drive them away.
3 PM-- Union forces advance to within mile and a half of fort. Curtiss pushes to within 75 yards of Shepherd's Battery.
3:20 PM-- Lt. Waller of 142nd NY pilfers the large garrison flag from outside the fort. It had been shot down by the naval bombardment. Lt. George Simpson climbs a telegraph pole and severs the line. Saw the inside of the fort.
Gen. Butler, in overall charge, decides the fort is too strong and his forces are between two strong Confederate positions.
DUSK-- Dark clouds roll in and wind picks up.
NIGHTFALL-- Federal Chief Engineer Comstock, Second Division commander general Ames decide to attack the fort. Curtiss advances a skirmish line of 3rd, 117th, and 142nd NY toward fort.
DARK-- Union Naval bombardment ceases.
Inside Fort Fisher, Lamb and Whiting hurry Confederate troops from bomb proofs to face impending attack. Open fire on advancing troops. Comstock and Ames alarmed by this and decide to follow Butler's orders to withdraw.
Curtiss and his men remain near the fort until a staff officer arrives to tell him the Federal landing force has returned to the transports.
By the time Curtiss gets to the landing site, the weather is too bad to disembark so about 600 men and several hundred Confederates captured earlier are force to remain stranded on the beach for two days.
Will Gen. Bragg Take Advantage of This. Wait and See. --Old B-R'er
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
144th Anniversary of the First Battle of Fort Fisher
Today marks the 144th anniversary of what is sometimes called the Christmas Battle.
On this date, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1864, the Federal attack on the Confederate fort began in earnest.
A Chronology of the battle.
1:40 AM-- The powder ship Louisiana is blown up off the fort with the hopes the concussion from the explosion will knock down the fort's earthen walls. It didn't.
DAWN-- In a thick fog, the Union fleet begins moving into battle positions off the fort.
12:40 PM-- Sixty-four ships open fire. Five of the Navy's largest ships, the Susquehanna, Wabash, Colorado, Minnesota, and Powhattan are among them along with the ironclad New Ironsides and four monitors. The USS Colorado alone mounts more guns, 52, than the entire fort, 47. The Union fleet mounts over 600 cannons.
1:00 to 4:30 PM-- Confederate Brig. General William Kirkland's 1,300 man Brigade, part of Hoke's Division, had reached Wilmington around midnight of the 23rd and reached Confederate defenses at Sugar Loaf, north of the fort. There they join about 1200 men and boys of the North Carolina Junior and Senior reserves, a regiment of cavalry and two batteries of artillery.
1 PM to DUSK-- Union fleet pounds the fort with over 10,000 rounds. Col. Lamb's headquarters, barracks, and other outlying buildings destroyed. Confederate return fire and hit some vessels.
LATE AFTERNOON-- Confederate Major General W.H.C. Whiting enters the fort and confers with Colonel Lamb.
DUSK-- The Union fleet hauls off to positions farther out to sea.
Confederate casualties first day= zero. Rounds expended= 672
From North Carolina Historic Sites.
Merry Christmas to Fort Fisher. --Old Blockade-Runner
On this date, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1864, the Federal attack on the Confederate fort began in earnest.
A Chronology of the battle.
1:40 AM-- The powder ship Louisiana is blown up off the fort with the hopes the concussion from the explosion will knock down the fort's earthen walls. It didn't.
DAWN-- In a thick fog, the Union fleet begins moving into battle positions off the fort.
12:40 PM-- Sixty-four ships open fire. Five of the Navy's largest ships, the Susquehanna, Wabash, Colorado, Minnesota, and Powhattan are among them along with the ironclad New Ironsides and four monitors. The USS Colorado alone mounts more guns, 52, than the entire fort, 47. The Union fleet mounts over 600 cannons.
1:00 to 4:30 PM-- Confederate Brig. General William Kirkland's 1,300 man Brigade, part of Hoke's Division, had reached Wilmington around midnight of the 23rd and reached Confederate defenses at Sugar Loaf, north of the fort. There they join about 1200 men and boys of the North Carolina Junior and Senior reserves, a regiment of cavalry and two batteries of artillery.
1 PM to DUSK-- Union fleet pounds the fort with over 10,000 rounds. Col. Lamb's headquarters, barracks, and other outlying buildings destroyed. Confederate return fire and hit some vessels.
LATE AFTERNOON-- Confederate Major General W.H.C. Whiting enters the fort and confers with Colonel Lamb.
DUSK-- The Union fleet hauls off to positions farther out to sea.
Confederate casualties first day= zero. Rounds expended= 672
From North Carolina Historic Sites.
Merry Christmas to Fort Fisher. --Old Blockade-Runner
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Lincoln Cottage Reopening a Highlight of 2008-- Part 2
Continued from yesterday.
The 1842 house was used summer to fall from 1862 to 1864. Mary and Tad were also there. Robert was away at college. They would normally only use it for a few weeks at a time. Part of the reason to go there was for privacy to grieve their son Willie's death, probably from typhoid fever. They also went to escape Washington, DC's hot, swampy humidity as the cottage was on one of the highest points of the city and enjoyed cool breezes.
The commute to the cottage was dangerous. At first, Lincoln insisted on going alone through the streets. Later, a guard unit was sent with him. There were also 180 troops on the grounds. Lincoln would often wander out to their camp and it is believed that he may have liked their coffee to Mary's.
On one trip to the cottage in 1964, a bullet hole was discovered in Lincoln's top hat, but he insisted that it be kept quite.. Confederate leaders knew the route he took as did John Wilkes Booth, who one time planned an abduction.
Admission is $12 and groups of 15 or more the price is $8. There are 1-2 hour guided tours.
The Place to Be in Washington, DC. --Old B-Runner
The 1842 house was used summer to fall from 1862 to 1864. Mary and Tad were also there. Robert was away at college. They would normally only use it for a few weeks at a time. Part of the reason to go there was for privacy to grieve their son Willie's death, probably from typhoid fever. They also went to escape Washington, DC's hot, swampy humidity as the cottage was on one of the highest points of the city and enjoyed cool breezes.
The commute to the cottage was dangerous. At first, Lincoln insisted on going alone through the streets. Later, a guard unit was sent with him. There were also 180 troops on the grounds. Lincoln would often wander out to their camp and it is believed that he may have liked their coffee to Mary's.
On one trip to the cottage in 1964, a bullet hole was discovered in Lincoln's top hat, but he insisted that it be kept quite.. Confederate leaders knew the route he took as did John Wilkes Booth, who one time planned an abduction.
Admission is $12 and groups of 15 or more the price is $8. There are 1-2 hour guided tours.
The Place to Be in Washington, DC. --Old B-Runner
Monday, December 22, 2008
Lincoln Cottage Reopening a Highlight of 2008
This past President's Day marked the official opening of President Lincoln's summer home. It is located about three miles from the White House on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home and was largely unknown for many years.
In the late 1990s, it was "rediscovered" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in 2000 declared a national monument by President Clinton. The opening followed a 7 year, $15 million restoration.
It was the Camp David of its day, a place for the president and family to get away from DC for awhile. The modest, 4 bedroom, two-story, brick covered with stucco home was mentioned in a few history books, but thought to be long-gone. For years it served as the administrative offices of the retirement home.
The Lincolns used it for several years. No original Lincoln furnishings remain and no interior pictures exist, so restoration had to use the few details they had.
Some historians believe Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation here.
To Be Continued. --Old B-R'er
In the late 1990s, it was "rediscovered" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in 2000 declared a national monument by President Clinton. The opening followed a 7 year, $15 million restoration.
It was the Camp David of its day, a place for the president and family to get away from DC for awhile. The modest, 4 bedroom, two-story, brick covered with stucco home was mentioned in a few history books, but thought to be long-gone. For years it served as the administrative offices of the retirement home.
The Lincolns used it for several years. No original Lincoln furnishings remain and no interior pictures exist, so restoration had to use the few details they had.
Some historians believe Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation here.
To Be Continued. --Old B-R'er
Mock Trial to Decide Confederate's Fate
Confederate Sergeant Ivy Ritchie is buried in a Union soldier's grave. The Ivy Ritchie SCV Camp 1734 in Albemarle, NC, contends that his remains were removed from the Appomattox Court House and accidentally buried in a Union cemetery as Sgt. J. Ritchie, Co. H, 14th NY Infantry.
SCV member Jim Harwood, "To know he's laying up there in a Yankee grave just tears me up. He hasn't rested in a hundred years or more."
The park service has refused to exhume his remains, but will hold the mock trial in the pre-Civil War Dinwiddie Court House south of Petersburg to let the SCV group makes its case.
FOLLOW UP: The Camp was found to be correct, but he still is there with the Feds.
In Thick With the Yankees. --B-Runner
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Santa Connection
The Dec. 19th Morris News Bee wrote about cartoonist and illustrator Thomas Nast, who in 1963 created the Santa Claus we know and love when he created a Christmas scene from a Union camp.
His Santa served as the prototype for Santas to come. Instead of a tall and thin Santa which were the norm at the time, he was portrayed as cheerier, plumper, and shorter one.
he also was the first to use the elephant to represent the Republicans and donkey for the Democrats.
Thanks Mr. Nast. --Cooter
His Santa served as the prototype for Santas to come. Instead of a tall and thin Santa which were the norm at the time, he was portrayed as cheerier, plumper, and shorter one.
he also was the first to use the elephant to represent the Republicans and donkey for the Democrats.
Thanks Mr. Nast. --Cooter
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Burgaw, NC, Depot-- Part 4
Continuing with the history of the Burgaw Depot. Wilmington Star News Dec. 14th.
1896-- The Wilmington Evening Dispatch reports a thriving commerce going on around Burgaw
1898-- Passenger waiting rooms and railroad offices added to south end of depot
1906-1907-- Industries locate near rail line: Garysburg Manufacturing Co., East River Lumber Co., and the Union Brick and Tile Co.
1916-1917-- the north freight platform expanded as rapid rail transportation opens distant markets for produce
1967-- Passenger trains stop running at Burgaw Depot
1980-- Burgaw Jaycees use building as a clubhouse. Later, the Burgaw Historic Preservation Foundation formed
1982-- The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, now Seaboard Line transfers ownership to city at no charge
1993-- State of NC negotiates a donation of 26.8 mile abandoned rail corridor
1996-- Hurricane Fran tears building's metal roof. FEMA provides a historic replacement
When you think of it, this timeline is essentially also the history of trains in the US.
Again, Thanks Mike Taylor for the Wonderful Research. --Old B-Runner
1896-- The Wilmington Evening Dispatch reports a thriving commerce going on around Burgaw
1898-- Passenger waiting rooms and railroad offices added to south end of depot
1906-1907-- Industries locate near rail line: Garysburg Manufacturing Co., East River Lumber Co., and the Union Brick and Tile Co.
1916-1917-- the north freight platform expanded as rapid rail transportation opens distant markets for produce
1967-- Passenger trains stop running at Burgaw Depot
1980-- Burgaw Jaycees use building as a clubhouse. Later, the Burgaw Historic Preservation Foundation formed
1982-- The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, now Seaboard Line transfers ownership to city at no charge
1993-- State of NC negotiates a donation of 26.8 mile abandoned rail corridor
1996-- Hurricane Fran tears building's metal roof. FEMA provides a historic replacement
When you think of it, this timeline is essentially also the history of trains in the US.
Again, Thanks Mike Taylor for the Wonderful Research. --Old B-Runner
Friday, December 19, 2008
Burgaw, NC, Depot-- Part 3
From Dec. 14th Wilmington,(NC) Star News.
Here is a Timeline as compiled by Mike Taylor, who has done a huge amount of work documenting this historic, but little-known site.
1850-- Depot built. The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad had been completed in 1840 and at the time boasted that it was the longest railroad in the world. (There wasn't even a town there, but, as they say, build it and they will come.
1851-- Telegraph likely installed
1861-1865-- Part of the "Lifeline of the Confederacy"
1863-- Burned in Union attack
Feb. 1865-- Headquarters of retreating Confederates. Staging area for exchange of 8000 Union prisoners.
April 9, 1865-- A message from a Federal soldier reports that "telegraph operator at Burgaw Station was captured last evening and the wires were cut by the rebels."
1875-- Residents of northern New Hanover County petition to form Pender County
August 1877-- Burgaw Depot site ratified as county seat
1879-- Town of Burgaw incorporated.
More to Come. --B-Runner
Here is a Timeline as compiled by Mike Taylor, who has done a huge amount of work documenting this historic, but little-known site.
1850-- Depot built. The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad had been completed in 1840 and at the time boasted that it was the longest railroad in the world. (There wasn't even a town there, but, as they say, build it and they will come.
1851-- Telegraph likely installed
1861-1865-- Part of the "Lifeline of the Confederacy"
1863-- Burned in Union attack
Feb. 1865-- Headquarters of retreating Confederates. Staging area for exchange of 8000 Union prisoners.
April 9, 1865-- A message from a Federal soldier reports that "telegraph operator at Burgaw Station was captured last evening and the wires were cut by the rebels."
1875-- Residents of northern New Hanover County petition to form Pender County
August 1877-- Burgaw Depot site ratified as county seat
1879-- Town of Burgaw incorporated.
More to Come. --B-Runner
USS Mohican at Fort Fisher
From Wikipedia, that font of knowledge.
The USS Mohican was a made-to-order US naval ship. It was not pressed into service or a converted blockade-runner.
It was commissioned before the war, in Nov. 1859 and decommissioned in 1872. After serving in the African Squadron intercepting slave ships, it was at the Battle of Fort Walker at Hilton Head, SC and accompanied the "Stone Fleet" to being sunk Dec. 18th and 19th, 1861, off Charleston, SC.
It then participated in the chases of the Confederate raiders Florida and Alabama before joining Admiral Porter's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron Oct. 7, 1864. Between Dec. 24th-25th it fired 500 shells at Fort Fisher.
During the second attack, Jan. 13-15th, it was in the first line of battle and lost one man killed and ten wounded.
After the war, the USS Mohican was in the Pacific Squadron. Decommissioned in 1872, it sank at its moorings and was towed to the Mare Island mud flats and broken up.
Stats: 198.9 feet long, 33 feet beam, 160 crew, two 11-inch and four 32-pdrs.
Finally, the 365th Posting for the Year!!! --B-Runner
The USS Mohican was a made-to-order US naval ship. It was not pressed into service or a converted blockade-runner.
It was commissioned before the war, in Nov. 1859 and decommissioned in 1872. After serving in the African Squadron intercepting slave ships, it was at the Battle of Fort Walker at Hilton Head, SC and accompanied the "Stone Fleet" to being sunk Dec. 18th and 19th, 1861, off Charleston, SC.
It then participated in the chases of the Confederate raiders Florida and Alabama before joining Admiral Porter's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron Oct. 7, 1864. Between Dec. 24th-25th it fired 500 shells at Fort Fisher.
During the second attack, Jan. 13-15th, it was in the first line of battle and lost one man killed and ten wounded.
After the war, the USS Mohican was in the Pacific Squadron. Decommissioned in 1872, it sank at its moorings and was towed to the Mare Island mud flats and broken up.
Stats: 198.9 feet long, 33 feet beam, 160 crew, two 11-inch and four 32-pdrs.
Finally, the 365th Posting for the Year!!! --B-Runner
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Burgaw, NC, Depot-- Part 2
The December 14th Wilmington Star News continued with its story on the old Wilmington & Weldon Depot in Burgaw, NC.
Mike Taylor, Library Director of Pender County Public Libraries and president of the Burgaw Depot Historical Preservation Foundation has done a lot of research on the subject. The depot being attacked and set fire during the Civil War has long been a part of local oral tradition.
Taylor has found mention in a Union cavalry battalion history that it was attacked in early 1863. A cavalry regiment from New Bern made a raid on the W & W Railroad and burned it. They were pursued by a heavy artillery battalion, but got awar. The W & W Railroad was referred to as the "Lifeline of the Confederacy" for all the supplies brought in by blockade-runners to Wilmington that were then transported by rail to Richmond.
The North Carolina Office of Archives and History says that the 1850 portion of the depot still stands but has fire damage.
The depot renovation is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2009.
It's a Depot Thing. --Old B-Runner
Mike Taylor, Library Director of Pender County Public Libraries and president of the Burgaw Depot Historical Preservation Foundation has done a lot of research on the subject. The depot being attacked and set fire during the Civil War has long been a part of local oral tradition.
Taylor has found mention in a Union cavalry battalion history that it was attacked in early 1863. A cavalry regiment from New Bern made a raid on the W & W Railroad and burned it. They were pursued by a heavy artillery battalion, but got awar. The W & W Railroad was referred to as the "Lifeline of the Confederacy" for all the supplies brought in by blockade-runners to Wilmington that were then transported by rail to Richmond.
The North Carolina Office of Archives and History says that the 1850 portion of the depot still stands but has fire damage.
The depot renovation is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2009.
It's a Depot Thing. --Old B-Runner
Update on the Hunley
The Jan. 10th Mooresville (SC) Tribune had an article about a Hunley Commission member giving a talk before the local SCV Camp.
Jack Marlar, chief technical advisor of the H. L. Hunley Commission. The technology on the Hunley was ahead of its time.
To cut through the water, an angled piece of metal on the top of the sub divided the passing water helping with stabilization and aerodynamics.
The sub had an air box, now called a snorkel, for air flow.
The seven crew members had to bend over to operate the crank, putting the weight of their bodies "exactly perpendicular to the axle" which helped keep it upright.
The four section ballast bar at the bottom allowed it to remain vertical and doubled as a safety device. Each section could be detached individually (it was still intact when the Hunley was raised).
There was also a fly wheel and balance tube to keep actuation (whatever that means).
The Hunley was "brilliant engineering."
Besides Lt. George E. Dixon's gold watch and a $20 gold piece, there was also a 9 diamond gold ring and a 37 diamond gold broach which have been discovered wrapped in a cloth under his seat.
All of these items can be viewed at the Warren Lasch Conservative Center in Charleston.
Looking Forward to When the Whole Submarine Will Be Open to the Public. --Old B-Runner
Jack Marlar, chief technical advisor of the H. L. Hunley Commission. The technology on the Hunley was ahead of its time.
To cut through the water, an angled piece of metal on the top of the sub divided the passing water helping with stabilization and aerodynamics.
The sub had an air box, now called a snorkel, for air flow.
The seven crew members had to bend over to operate the crank, putting the weight of their bodies "exactly perpendicular to the axle" which helped keep it upright.
The four section ballast bar at the bottom allowed it to remain vertical and doubled as a safety device. Each section could be detached individually (it was still intact when the Hunley was raised).
There was also a fly wheel and balance tube to keep actuation (whatever that means).
The Hunley was "brilliant engineering."
Besides Lt. George E. Dixon's gold watch and a $20 gold piece, there was also a 9 diamond gold ring and a 37 diamond gold broach which have been discovered wrapped in a cloth under his seat.
All of these items can be viewed at the Warren Lasch Conservative Center in Charleston.
Looking Forward to When the Whole Submarine Will Be Open to the Public. --Old B-Runner
Houston's Buffalo Bayou Civil War Connection
The Jan. 13th Houston Chronicle reported about a walking tour attended by 150 people that was given by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.
About a year after the war started, citizens threw material from a former Confederate arsenal into the Buffalo Bayou. Near Milam, the Confederate boat Augusta sprung a leak and sank.
After the war, this area was a popular souvenir-hunting place for people who waded out to the old wreck at low tide and found coins, buttons, and musket balls.
Buffalo Bayou is where the City of Houston was founded. The final fight in the Texas War for Independence, the Battle of San Jacinto, also took place where the Bayou joins the San Jacinto River.
Unfortunately, the bayou is too shallow to handle large ocean-going ships.
Wonder If Anything Is Still There. Oh Yes, Snakes. --B-R'er
About a year after the war started, citizens threw material from a former Confederate arsenal into the Buffalo Bayou. Near Milam, the Confederate boat Augusta sprung a leak and sank.
After the war, this area was a popular souvenir-hunting place for people who waded out to the old wreck at low tide and found coins, buttons, and musket balls.
Buffalo Bayou is where the City of Houston was founded. The final fight in the Texas War for Independence, the Battle of San Jacinto, also took place where the Bayou joins the San Jacinto River.
Unfortunately, the bayou is too shallow to handle large ocean-going ships.
Wonder If Anything Is Still There. Oh Yes, Snakes. --B-R'er
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