uss frolick

Anyone getting the new Bluejacket Kit of the USS Kearsarge might want to consider building her lesser known older sister ship instead.
 
More heavily armed than the Kearsarge, in October 1864, she mounted one 100-pounder rifle, six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores and two 30-pounder Rifles.
 
The First Battle of Fort Fisher:
 
 
"Detailed report of Commander Ammen, U. 5. Navy, commanding U. S. 5. Mohican.

U.  S. S. MOHICAN,
Off Beaufort, N. C., December 31, 1864.
    ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
General Order No. 75, directing comman ding officers to make their
report in relation to our attacks on Fort Fisher and the adjacent earth-
works, and also a copy of a communication to you from Major-General
Benj. F. Butler, and in regard to some points touched upon you request
an opinion.
    At about 11:30 a. in. of the 24th, the fleet got underway and stood
in, in line of battle, toward Fort Fisher, bearing about W. S. W. and
some 6 or 7 miles distant. The Mohican was kept closely in position
assigned, following the leading vessel, the frigate Minnesota, and fol-
lowed by the frigate Colorado, and she successively by the other ves-
sels forming the main line.
    At about 1 p. in. the Minnesota sheered in out of line and took up
her position at anchor, opening at once on Fort Fisher, some 2,100
yards distant. As per plan of battle, the Mohican was sheered in ahead

Page 310

310    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

of her, fired slowly on the fort, to get a range, and aiichored, then
opened briskly with the whole battery. The fort had opened on the
Minnesota and on the Mohican previous to our anchoring.
    The Colorado sheered in ahead of us, letting go kedge astern, and
then anchored and opened fiercely on the fort. The vessels forming
the line then successively, with more or less success, took np their
positions and opened.
    The ironclads, led by the New Ironsides, had anchored, a few minutes
preceding the Minnesota, some 500 or 600 yards to the northward and
westward, and were slowly getting their range when we anchored,
and the outer line of ves~els moved into position after the maui line
had anchored, and opened on the Mound and several detached ease-
mated guns.
    The fire from the fort became weak as the vessels anchored and
opened fire. It was soon apparent that they could not work their bar-
bette guns without great loss of life, and the guns crews no doubt
retreated under shelter with a few exceptions where high travel ses and
favorable angles gave them great protection. Different casemated
guns, particularly those mounted in detached mounds and toward the
Mound, continued to fire slowly and evidently with not much effect,
nor would the position of the guns served favor an effective fire. The
whole body of Fort Fisher was filled with bursting shells, and only at
long intervals, if at all, was a gun fired from the main work.
    In the meantime, owing to the wind and the set of the tide, I found
that the use of the propeller and the helm would no longer enable me
to bring the broadside to bear, and was obliged to weigh anchor and
maneuver under steam, holding our position as nearly as possible, and
avoiding interfering with the firing of the other vessels. After exhaust-
ing all the filled IX-inch shells on board ready for use, the Mohican
was withdrawn from the line at about 4:10 p. in., making signal to
you of the cause, and we commenced filling shells without delay. After
sunset the fleet withdrew and the Mohi can ran into line and anchored.
    At about 9 a. m. of the 25th the signal was made to get underway
and form line of battle. The Mohican took her position and the fleet
stood in to the attack. When nearly under fire I was directed verbally
from you not to take position until further orders.
    The Minnesota, the leading vessel of the main line, proceeded in and
anchored, got underway, and, after various attempts, obtained a well-
chosen position, the main line awaiting her movements. The ironclads
having preceded [us], during this time were in position, firing slowly
and receiving a part of the fire of Fort Fisher.
    After the position of the Minnesota was satisfactory I received orders
from you, about noon, to take position close astern of the New Iron-
sides, which I did without delay, firing slowly until a good range was
obtained, then opened briskly on the fort. Iwas enabled to see, through
the absence of smoke, that our fire was very effective, delivered at a
short 10-second range. One of the rebels guns was seen to be dis-
mounted by our fire.
    Half an hour after we had anchored the Colorado passed ahead of the
Minnesota and into position, anchoring and delivering a very effective
fire. The whole line soon took position and opened very heavily and
evidently with great effect, driving the rebels from their guns, with a
few exceptions, as those in casemates amid other places sheltered and
distant. The position of the Mohican enabled me to see well, as I was
first at anchor within half a ships length of the New Ironsides, ans

Page 311

finding that anchoring impeded an effective use of the battery, I
weighed, and in delivering fire drifted 100 or 200 yards nearer the fort.
    At 2:05 p. m. the suppiy of the 10 second fuzes and the rifle ammu-
nition was exhausted, and the Mohican was withdrawn from action for
the purpose of obtaining more, speaking the Malvern for the purpose
and obtaining none. Not being directed to go under fire again, we
remained spectators near the Minnesota~ until about 4 p. in., when I
received orders to aid in debarking troops, and proceeded to execute,
but instead of debarking aided in bringing off the soldiers that had
already reached the shore.
    It has not been my lot to witness any operation comparable in force
or in effect to the bombardment of Fort Fisher by the fleet, and I feel
satisfied that any attempt to keep out of their bombproofs or to work
their guns would have been attended with great loss of life to the rebels,
and would have proven a fruitless attempt.
    On the first day we delivered 217 IX-inch shells, 59 100-pounder
rifle, and 89 30-pounder rifle shells. On the second day we delivered
103 IX-inch shells, 20 100-pounder rifle, and 25 30-pounder rifle shells,
making a total of 513.
    Our firing was effective as well as rapid, and I have to express my
high appreciation of the ability and zeal of Lieutenant J. D. Marvin,
the executive officer of this vessel, and of Acting Master William Bur-
ditt, whose long and varied professional experience proved useful.
Acting Boatswain Josiah B. Aiken, owing to a deficiency of officers,
had charge of the 100-pounder rifle and served it admirably.
    I have to express my satisfaction at the excellent behavior of the
officers and crew, and do not doubt that when the occasion arrives
when they should do so they will stand to their guns as long as enough
men remain to serve them.
    In relation to the effect of the fire of the fleet on the fort, I beg leave
to express my congratulations, as I did verbally on meeting you after
the actions. It did not require a visit to the fort to see that enormous
traverses were nearly leveled, as at the S. E. angle. The stockade or
abattis must have been much shattered, and the debris from the par-
apets must have filled in the ditch greatly. I feel satisfied that every-
thing was effected that can be by powerful batteries against a sand-
work, and that we could and can keep the enemy in their bombproofs
pending an advance of troops to the foot of the parapet.
    The official letter of General Butler referred to, [which] states that
General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within 50 yards of the fort,
while the garrison was kept in their bombproofs by the fire of the navy,
and so closely that three or four mcii of the picket line ventured upon
the parapet and through the sally-port of the work, is, I think, entirely
confirmatory as to the effectiveness of our fire. He adds: This was
done while the shells of the navy were falling about the heads of the
(laring men who entered the work, but appears to forget that at any
given signal from an assaulting column, that this fire would cease and
the enemy be found not defending the parapet but safely stowed away
in bombproofs.
    I do not know what more could be asked of naval guns than to afford
a safe approach to the foot of the parapet with no lines of the enemy
drawn up to receive our forces. Beyond that, I suppose everything
would depend upon the relative forces of the combatants and the vigor
of the assault, and although the work might not, in a military sense, be
much injured, I would think the likelihood of carrying the work would

Page 312

be greatly increased by such disposition without loss of life of the
respective forces.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
    Rear-Admiral D. P. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron.
 

At  the Second battle of Fort Fisher, January 1865:
 
Report of Commander Ammen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican, transmitting report
of casualties.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 17, 1865.
    SIR: I have the honor to report that at daylight on the morning of
the 13th the ~1Iahiean was got underway, following the Brooklyn, and
followed by the Tacony and the vessels composing the line, and stood in
and along the coast until the Half Moon battery was reached, some 3
miles to the northward of Fort Fisher, when the line anchored on sig-
nal and the shore line was shelled

Page 470

470    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

    On signal all of our boats were sent to aid in debarking the troops,
which was accomplished at about 3p. m. On signal at 3:35 the Mohican
was again underway in line, as before, in close order, and anchored on
signal in line with kedge astern and anchor ahead, in position assigned,
opening on Fort Fisher at 4:25 and firing deliberately until 5:30, when
we withdrew on signal. Ninety-two IX-inch shells were expended dur-
ing the day.
    At 9:15 a. m. of the 15th the Mohican was got underway. On signal
and by verbal order wen t in to deliver fire on Fort Fisher, making fast
a stern line to the New Ironsides for a spring, and anchoring. At 10:30
we opened a deliberate fire on Fort Fisher, directed by signals from
time to time, and maintained it until 3:47, when signal was made to cease
firing. During the day 327 IX-inch shells were fired and 17 30-pounder
rifle shells, the latter directed at steamers in the river with rebel troops
and on the Federal Point batteries. The firing on both days was care-
fully delivered and was effective.
    In the meantime, obeying signals, the first, second, and fourth cutters
were dispatched, under charge of Acting Master William Burditt,
Acting Masters Mate James Paine, and Acting Boatswain Josiah
B. Aiken, with boats crews, containing a total of fifty-two officers, sail-
ors, and marines, to the rendezvous on the beach.
    The list of killed, wounded, and missing has been given in a separate
report.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic A3quadron.

[Enclosure.]

U. S. S. MOITICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 16, 1865.
    SIR: The following casualties occurred to the crew of the Mohican
in our operations against Fort Fisher yesterday:

No.    Name.    Rate.    Remarks.
    1 Oscar Smith    sergeant, marines - - wound of neck; slight.
    2    John Le Mott Russell..    Marine    Bullet wound through left wrist.
    3    5tepben Moore     do    Bullet wound below left knee.
    4    Albert E. Harlowe    Coxswain    wound of left hand.
    5    John Sweeney     do    Killed; shot through heart.
    6    John 5ullivan    Seaman    Bullet wound of left thigh.
    7    Michael Mccauley     do    Flesh wound right leg.
    8    Samuel W. Woodward..    Ordinary seaman ...    Bullet wound below right knee.
    9    John Graham    Corporal, marines .     Bullet wound left shoulder; also by explosion of
                 magazine in Fort Fisher to-day.
    10    William F. Ryan    Marine - .. -     Severe contusions of breast and hack.
    11    Richard Broderick     (10    Sprain of right foot.

    Hiram J. ilenkey (landsman) is missing; was known to have been
wounded and supposed to have been taken on board of some vessel
belonging to the fleet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron

The Mohican was earlier at the Battle of Port Royal in 1861:
 
"The Report of Commander Gordon, U. S. Navy, commanding U. 5. S. Mohican, regarding casualties
to that vessel.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Port Royal Harbor, November 9, 1861.
    SIR: I have to report that in the engagement off Hilton Head this
ship suffered the following damage:
    Shot in starboard main yardarm, five shot in hull.
    One screw to main rigging carried away by a shot. Serious injuries
to after hatch; nothing, however, that may not readily be repaired
with some carpenters aid. One of my boats is so much injured that it
must be replaced or repaired at once, and I have not the means. The
officers and crew did what I expected of them in the engagement, their
entire duty, with spirit and heart.
 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
S.    W. Gordon,
Commander.
    
Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron"
   
 
"

1861: Mohican chasing blockade runners:
 
"Report of Commander Gordon, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican.
U. S. S. MOHICAN,

Off Charleston, January, 1862.
    Sir:    
 
I have to report that yesterday, about half past 6 in the morn-
ing watch, a heavy fog at the time, heard the report of a gun in the
direction of the Roebuck. Slipped my cable and stood in for Moffitts
Channel, but could see nothing. Another gun was heard, and a moment
after saw a steamer inside and near the bar heading to eastward. Gave
chase, when she stood inshore and moved at full speed. I yawed the
ship to fire a long gun. For a momeiit she stopped, but, the fog lifting.
she saw the buoys and made for them. I followed, but found she was
gaining on me fast. I therefore again yawed to fire my XI-inch shells
at her in hopes of disabling her machinery-my only chance. I burst
my shells near her and about her, but she reached the channel and
entered. I regret to say that the Mohican has quite lost her speed in
the last six months, and now I can only obtain 6 or 7 knots under the
same steam and same revolutions which formerly gave inc 9 and 10.
The engines and boilers have been in use without an overhauling for
more than two years. This and a very foul bottom may account for
her sluggishness, but does not relieve mae from the serious annoyance
of having a very slow vessel to do duty requiring the greatest speed.
I have now placed time ship to within half a mile range of a long gun
on Sullivans Island, below Fort Moultrie, but at least three steamers
should he here, and one, at least, very fist, and they must rule out all
gales except south-westers. Then they will he obliged to go to sea.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
s.    w: Gordon,
Commander.
Flag-Officer S. F. du Pont,
Commanding South Atlantic Rlockading Squadron."
 
Commodore du Pont's letter [edited by me] to the Secretary of the Navy states that the USS Mohican actually hit her!
 
"Report of Flag- Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, regarding the escape into
Charleston, S. C., of the blockade runner Isabel.
Private.    FLAGSHiP WABASH,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., January Ii, 1862.
    
    ... The Isabel, I am sorry to say, has got into Charleston, in a fog. The
Mohican slipped her chain instantly on the lookout vessel of that chan-
nel firing a gun, but the Isabel was too swift. The Mohican blew her
stern off by a shell; this we have from deserters from Stono to-day,
brought down by the Pocahontas. She had coffee on board; no arms.
    
The Mohican chased her until she drew the fire of the forts.
     
I am, dear sir, faithfully, yours,
S.    F. Du PONT,
Flag- Officer.
 
to:Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington."
 
 
*** Correction: Her Commander was Sylvanus William Godon, not Gordon. ***

The Mohican was earlier at the Battle of Port Royal in 1861:
 
"The Report of Commander Gordon, U. S. Navy, commanding U. 5. S. Mohican, regarding casualties
to that vessel.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Port Royal Harbor, November 9, 1861.
    SIR: I have to report that in the engagement off Hilton Head this
ship suffered the following damage:
    Shot in starboard main yardarm, five shot in hull.
    One screw to main rigging carried away by a shot. Serious injuries
to after hatch; nothing, however, that may not readily be repaired
with some carpenters aid. One of my boats is so much injured that it
must be replaced or repaired at once, and I have not the means. The
officers and crew did what I expected of them in the engagement, their
entire duty, with spirit and heart.
 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
S.    W. Gordon,
Commander.
    
Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron"
   
 
"

At  the Second battle of Fort Fisher, January 1865:
 
Report of Commander Ammen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican, transmitting report
of casualties.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 17, 1865.
    SIR: I have the honor to report that at daylight on the morning of
the 13th the ~1Iahiean was got underway, following the Brooklyn, and
followed by the Tacony and the vessels composing the line, and stood in
and along the coast until the Half Moon battery was reached, some 3
miles to the northward of Fort Fisher, when the line anchored on sig-
nal and the shore line was shelled

Page 470

470    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

    On signal all of our boats were sent to aid in debarking the troops,
which was accomplished at about 3p. m. On signal at 3:35 the Mohican
was again underway in line, as before, in close order, and anchored on
signal in line with kedge astern and anchor ahead, in position assigned,
opening on Fort Fisher at 4:25 and firing deliberately until 5:30, when
we withdrew on signal. Ninety-two IX-inch shells were expended dur-
ing the day.
    At 9:15 a. m. of the 15th the Mohican was got underway. On signal
and by verbal order wen t in to deliver fire on Fort Fisher, making fast
a stern line to the New Ironsides for a spring, and anchoring. At 10:30
we opened a deliberate fire on Fort Fisher, directed by signals from
time to time, and maintained it until 3:47, when signal was made to cease
firing. During the day 327 IX-inch shells were fired and 17 30-pounder
rifle shells, the latter directed at steamers in the river with rebel troops
and on the Federal Point batteries. The firing on both days was care-
fully delivered and was effective.
    In the meantime, obeying signals, the first, second, and fourth cutters
were dispatched, under charge of Acting Master William Burditt,
Acting Masters Mate James Paine, and Acting Boatswain Josiah
B. Aiken, with boats crews, containing a total of fifty-two officers, sail-
ors, and marines, to the rendezvous on the beach.
    The list of killed, wounded, and missing has been given in a separate
report.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic A3quadron.

[Enclosure.]

U. S. S. MOITICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 16, 1865.
    SIR: The following casualties occurred to the crew of the Mohican
in our operations against Fort Fisher yesterday:

No.    Name.    Rate.    Remarks.
    1 Oscar Smith    sergeant, marines - - wound of neck; slight.
    2    John Le Mott Russell..    Marine    Bullet wound through left wrist.
    3    5tepben Moore     do    Bullet wound below left knee.
    4    Albert E. Harlowe    Coxswain    wound of left hand.
    5    John Sweeney     do    Killed; shot through heart.
    6    John 5ullivan    Seaman    Bullet wound of left thigh.
    7    Michael Mccauley     do    Flesh wound right leg.
    8    Samuel W. Woodward..    Ordinary seaman ...    Bullet wound below right knee.
    9    John Graham    Corporal, marines .     Bullet wound left shoulder; also by explosion of
                 magazine in Fort Fisher to-day.
    10    William F. Ryan    Marine - .. -     Severe contusions of breast and hack.
    11    Richard Broderick     (10    Sprain of right foot.

    Hiram J. ilenkey (landsman) is missing; was known to have been
wounded and supposed to have been taken on board of some vessel
belonging to the fleet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron

Anyone getting the new Bluejacket Kit of the USS Kearsarge might want to consider building her lesser known older sister ship instead.
 
More heavily armed than the Kearsarge, in October 1864, she mounted one 100-pounder rifle, six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores and two 30-pounder Rifles.
 
The First Battle of Fort Fisher:
 
 
"Detailed report of Commander Ammen, U. 5. Navy, commanding U. S. 5. Mohican.

U.  S. S. MOHICAN,
Off Beaufort, N. C., December 31, 1864.
    ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
General Order No. 75, directing comman ding officers to make their
report in relation to our attacks on Fort Fisher and the adjacent earth-
works, and also a copy of a communication to you from Major-General
Benj. F. Butler, and in regard to some points touched upon you request
an opinion.
    At about 11:30 a. in. of the 24th, the fleet got underway and stood
in, in line of battle, toward Fort Fisher, bearing about W. S. W. and
some 6 or 7 miles distant. The Mohican was kept closely in position
assigned, following the leading vessel, the frigate Minnesota, and fol-
lowed by the frigate Colorado, and she successively by the other ves-
sels forming the main line.
    At about 1 p. in. the Minnesota sheered in out of line and took up
her position at anchor, opening at once on Fort Fisher, some 2,100
yards distant. As per plan of battle, the Mohican was sheered in ahead

Page 310

310    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

of her, fired slowly on the fort, to get a range, and aiichored, then
opened briskly with the whole battery. The fort had opened on the
Minnesota and on the Mohican previous to our anchoring.
    The Colorado sheered in ahead of us, letting go kedge astern, and
then anchored and opened fiercely on the fort. The vessels forming
the line then successively, with more or less success, took np their
positions and opened.
    The ironclads, led by the New Ironsides, had anchored, a few minutes
preceding the Minnesota, some 500 or 600 yards to the northward and
westward, and were slowly getting their range when we anchored,
and the outer line of ves~els moved into position after the maui line
had anchored, and opened on the Mound and several detached ease-
mated guns.
    The fire from the fort became weak as the vessels anchored and
opened fire. It was soon apparent that they could not work their bar-
bette guns without great loss of life, and the guns crews no doubt
retreated under shelter with a few exceptions where high travel ses and
favorable angles gave them great protection. Different casemated
guns, particularly those mounted in detached mounds and toward the
Mound, continued to fire slowly and evidently with not much effect,
nor would the position of the guns served favor an effective fire. The
whole body of Fort Fisher was filled with bursting shells, and only at
long intervals, if at all, was a gun fired from the main work.
    In the meantime, owing to the wind and the set of the tide, I found
that the use of the propeller and the helm would no longer enable me
to bring the broadside to bear, and was obliged to weigh anchor and
maneuver under steam, holding our position as nearly as possible, and
avoiding interfering with the firing of the other vessels. After exhaust-
ing all the filled IX-inch shells on board ready for use, the Mohican
was withdrawn from the line at about 4:10 p. in., making signal to
you of the cause, and we commenced filling shells without delay. After
sunset the fleet withdrew and the Mohi can ran into line and anchored.
    At about 9 a. m. of the 25th the signal was made to get underway
and form line of battle. The Mohican took her position and the fleet
stood in to the attack. When nearly under fire I was directed verbally
from you not to take position until further orders.
    The Minnesota, the leading vessel of the main line, proceeded in and
anchored, got underway, and, after various attempts, obtained a well-
chosen position, the main line awaiting her movements. The ironclads
having preceded [us], during this time were in position, firing slowly
and receiving a part of the fire of Fort Fisher.
    After the position of the Minnesota was satisfactory I received orders
from you, about noon, to take position close astern of the New Iron-
sides, which I did without delay, firing slowly until a good range was
obtained, then opened briskly on the fort. Iwas enabled to see, through
the absence of smoke, that our fire was very effective, delivered at a
short 10-second range. One of the rebels guns was seen to be dis-
mounted by our fire.
    Half an hour after we had anchored the Colorado passed ahead of the
Minnesota and into position, anchoring and delivering a very effective
fire. The whole line soon took position and opened very heavily and
evidently with great effect, driving the rebels from their guns, with a
few exceptions, as those in casemates amid other places sheltered and
distant. The position of the Mohican enabled me to see well, as I was
first at anchor within half a ships length of the New Ironsides, ans

Page 311

finding that anchoring impeded an effective use of the battery, I
weighed, and in delivering fire drifted 100 or 200 yards nearer the fort.
    At 2:05 p. m. the suppiy of the 10 second fuzes and the rifle ammu-
nition was exhausted, and the Mohican was withdrawn from action for
the purpose of obtaining more, speaking the Malvern for the purpose
and obtaining none. Not being directed to go under fire again, we
remained spectators near the Minnesota~ until about 4 p. in., when I
received orders to aid in debarking troops, and proceeded to execute,
but instead of debarking aided in bringing off the soldiers that had
already reached the shore.
    It has not been my lot to witness any operation comparable in force
or in effect to the bombardment of Fort Fisher by the fleet, and I feel
satisfied that any attempt to keep out of their bombproofs or to work
their guns would have been attended with great loss of life to the rebels,
and would have proven a fruitless attempt.
    On the first day we delivered 217 IX-inch shells, 59 100-pounder
rifle, and 89 30-pounder rifle shells. On the second day we delivered
103 IX-inch shells, 20 100-pounder rifle, and 25 30-pounder rifle shells,
making a total of 513.
    Our firing was effective as well as rapid, and I have to express my
high appreciation of the ability and zeal of Lieutenant J. D. Marvin,
the executive officer of this vessel, and of Acting Master William Bur-
ditt, whose long and varied professional experience proved useful.
Acting Boatswain Josiah B. Aiken, owing to a deficiency of officers,
had charge of the 100-pounder rifle and served it admirably.
    I have to express my satisfaction at the excellent behavior of the
officers and crew, and do not doubt that when the occasion arrives
when they should do so they will stand to their guns as long as enough
men remain to serve them.
    In relation to the effect of the fire of the fleet on the fort, I beg leave
to express my congratulations, as I did verbally on meeting you after
the actions. It did not require a visit to the fort to see that enormous
traverses were nearly leveled, as at the S. E. angle. The stockade or
abattis must have been much shattered, and the debris from the par-
apets must have filled in the ditch greatly. I feel satisfied that every-
thing was effected that can be by powerful batteries against a sand-
work, and that we could and can keep the enemy in their bombproofs
pending an advance of troops to the foot of the parapet.
    The official letter of General Butler referred to, [which] states that
General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within 50 yards of the fort,
while the garrison was kept in their bombproofs by the fire of the navy,
and so closely that three or four mcii of the picket line ventured upon
the parapet and through the sally-port of the work, is, I think, entirely
confirmatory as to the effectiveness of our fire. He adds: This was
done while the shells of the navy were falling about the heads of the
(laring men who entered the work, but appears to forget that at any
given signal from an assaulting column, that this fire would cease and
the enemy be found not defending the parapet but safely stowed away
in bombproofs.
    I do not know what more could be asked of naval guns than to afford
a safe approach to the foot of the parapet with no lines of the enemy
drawn up to receive our forces. Beyond that, I suppose everything
would depend upon the relative forces of the combatants and the vigor
of the assault, and although the work might not, in a military sense, be
much injured, I would think the likelihood of carrying the work would

Page 312

be greatly increased by such disposition without loss of life of the
respective forces.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
    Rear-Admiral D. P. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron.
 

At  the Second battle of Fort Fisher, January 1865:
 
Report of Commander Ammen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican, transmitting report
of casualties.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 17, 1865.
    SIR: I have the honor to report that at daylight on the morning of
the 13th the ~1Iahiean was got underway, following the Brooklyn, and
followed by the Tacony and the vessels composing the line, and stood in
and along the coast until the Half Moon battery was reached, some 3
miles to the northward of Fort Fisher, when the line anchored on sig-
nal and the shore line was shelled

Page 470

470    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

    On signal all of our boats were sent to aid in debarking the troops,
which was accomplished at about 3p. m. On signal at 3:35 the Mohican
was again underway in line, as before, in close order, and anchored on
signal in line with kedge astern and anchor ahead, in position assigned,
opening on Fort Fisher at 4:25 and firing deliberately until 5:30, when
we withdrew on signal. Ninety-two IX-inch shells were expended dur-
ing the day.
    At 9:15 a. m. of the 15th the Mohican was got underway. On signal
and by verbal order wen t in to deliver fire on Fort Fisher, making fast
a stern line to the New Ironsides for a spring, and anchoring. At 10:30
we opened a deliberate fire on Fort Fisher, directed by signals from
time to time, and maintained it until 3:47, when signal was made to cease
firing. During the day 327 IX-inch shells were fired and 17 30-pounder
rifle shells, the latter directed at steamers in the river with rebel troops
and on the Federal Point batteries. The firing on both days was care-
fully delivered and was effective.
    In the meantime, obeying signals, the first, second, and fourth cutters
were dispatched, under charge of Acting Master William Burditt,
Acting Masters Mate James Paine, and Acting Boatswain Josiah
B. Aiken, with boats crews, containing a total of fifty-two officers, sail-
ors, and marines, to the rendezvous on the beach.
    The list of killed, wounded, and missing has been given in a separate
report.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic A3quadron.

[Enclosure.]

U. S. S. MOITICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 16, 1865.
    SIR: The following casualties occurred to the crew of the Mohican
in our operations against Fort Fisher yesterday:

No.    Name.    Rate.    Remarks.
    1 Oscar Smith    sergeant, marines - - wound of neck; slight.
    2    John Le Mott Russell..    Marine    Bullet wound through left wrist.
    3    5tepben Moore     do    Bullet wound below left knee.
    4    Albert E. Harlowe    Coxswain    wound of left hand.
    5    John Sweeney     do    Killed; shot through heart.
    6    John 5ullivan    Seaman    Bullet wound of left thigh.
    7    Michael Mccauley     do    Flesh wound right leg.
    8    Samuel W. Woodward..    Ordinary seaman ...    Bullet wound below right knee.
    9    John Graham    Corporal, marines .     Bullet wound left shoulder; also by explosion of
                 magazine in Fort Fisher to-day.
    10    William F. Ryan    Marine - .. -     Severe contusions of breast and hack.
    11    Richard Broderick     (10    Sprain of right foot.

    Hiram J. ilenkey (landsman) is missing; was known to have been
wounded and supposed to have been taken on board of some vessel
belonging to the fleet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron

Anyone getting the new Bluejacket Kit of the USS Kearsarge might want to consider building her lesser known older sister ship instead.
 
More heavily armed than the Kearsarge, in October 1864, she mounted one 100-pounder rifle, six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores and two 30-pounder Rifles.
 
The First Battle of Fort Fisher:
 
 
"Detailed report of Commander Ammen, U. 5. Navy, commanding U. S. 5. Mohican.

U.  S. S. MOHICAN,
Off Beaufort, N. C., December 31, 1864.
    ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
General Order No. 75, directing comman ding officers to make their
report in relation to our attacks on Fort Fisher and the adjacent earth-
works, and also a copy of a communication to you from Major-General
Benj. F. Butler, and in regard to some points touched upon you request
an opinion.
    At about 11:30 a. in. of the 24th, the fleet got underway and stood
in, in line of battle, toward Fort Fisher, bearing about W. S. W. and
some 6 or 7 miles distant. The Mohican was kept closely in position
assigned, following the leading vessel, the frigate Minnesota, and fol-
lowed by the frigate Colorado, and she successively by the other ves-
sels forming the main line.
    At about 1 p. in. the Minnesota sheered in out of line and took up
her position at anchor, opening at once on Fort Fisher, some 2,100
yards distant. As per plan of battle, the Mohican was sheered in ahead

Page 310

310    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

of her, fired slowly on the fort, to get a range, and aiichored, then
opened briskly with the whole battery. The fort had opened on the
Minnesota and on the Mohican previous to our anchoring.
    The Colorado sheered in ahead of us, letting go kedge astern, and
then anchored and opened fiercely on the fort. The vessels forming
the line then successively, with more or less success, took np their
positions and opened.
    The ironclads, led by the New Ironsides, had anchored, a few minutes
preceding the Minnesota, some 500 or 600 yards to the northward and
westward, and were slowly getting their range when we anchored,
and the outer line of ves~els moved into position after the maui line
had anchored, and opened on the Mound and several detached ease-
mated guns.
    The fire from the fort became weak as the vessels anchored and
opened fire. It was soon apparent that they could not work their bar-
bette guns without great loss of life, and the guns crews no doubt
retreated under shelter with a few exceptions where high travel ses and
favorable angles gave them great protection. Different casemated
guns, particularly those mounted in detached mounds and toward the
Mound, continued to fire slowly and evidently with not much effect,
nor would the position of the guns served favor an effective fire. The
whole body of Fort Fisher was filled with bursting shells, and only at
long intervals, if at all, was a gun fired from the main work.
    In the meantime, owing to the wind and the set of the tide, I found
that the use of the propeller and the helm would no longer enable me
to bring the broadside to bear, and was obliged to weigh anchor and
maneuver under steam, holding our position as nearly as possible, and
avoiding interfering with the firing of the other vessels. After exhaust-
ing all the filled IX-inch shells on board ready for use, the Mohican
was withdrawn from the line at about 4:10 p. in., making signal to
you of the cause, and we commenced filling shells without delay. After
sunset the fleet withdrew and the Mohi can ran into line and anchored.
    At about 9 a. m. of the 25th the signal was made to get underway
and form line of battle. The Mohican took her position and the fleet
stood in to the attack. When nearly under fire I was directed verbally
from you not to take position until further orders.
    The Minnesota, the leading vessel of the main line, proceeded in and
anchored, got underway, and, after various attempts, obtained a well-
chosen position, the main line awaiting her movements. The ironclads
having preceded [us], during this time were in position, firing slowly
and receiving a part of the fire of Fort Fisher.
    After the position of the Minnesota was satisfactory I received orders
from you, about noon, to take position close astern of the New Iron-
sides, which I did without delay, firing slowly until a good range was
obtained, then opened briskly on the fort. Iwas enabled to see, through
the absence of smoke, that our fire was very effective, delivered at a
short 10-second range. One of the rebels guns was seen to be dis-
mounted by our fire.
    Half an hour after we had anchored the Colorado passed ahead of the
Minnesota and into position, anchoring and delivering a very effective
fire. The whole line soon took position and opened very heavily and
evidently with great effect, driving the rebels from their guns, with a
few exceptions, as those in casemates amid other places sheltered and
distant. The position of the Mohican enabled me to see well, as I was
first at anchor within half a ships length of the New Ironsides, ans

Page 311

finding that anchoring impeded an effective use of the battery, I
weighed, and in delivering fire drifted 100 or 200 yards nearer the fort.
    At 2:05 p. m. the suppiy of the 10 second fuzes and the rifle ammu-
nition was exhausted, and the Mohican was withdrawn from action for
the purpose of obtaining more, speaking the Malvern for the purpose
and obtaining none. Not being directed to go under fire again, we
remained spectators near the Minnesota~ until about 4 p. in., when I
received orders to aid in debarking troops, and proceeded to execute,
but instead of debarking aided in bringing off the soldiers that had
already reached the shore.
    It has not been my lot to witness any operation comparable in force
or in effect to the bombardment of Fort Fisher by the fleet, and I feel
satisfied that any attempt to keep out of their bombproofs or to work
their guns would have been attended with great loss of life to the rebels,
and would have proven a fruitless attempt.
    On the first day we delivered 217 IX-inch shells, 59 100-pounder
rifle, and 89 30-pounder rifle shells. On the second day we delivered
103 IX-inch shells, 20 100-pounder rifle, and 25 30-pounder rifle shells,
making a total of 513.
    Our firing was effective as well as rapid, and I have to express my
high appreciation of the ability and zeal of Lieutenant J. D. Marvin,
the executive officer of this vessel, and of Acting Master William Bur-
ditt, whose long and varied professional experience proved useful.
Acting Boatswain Josiah B. Aiken, owing to a deficiency of officers,
had charge of the 100-pounder rifle and served it admirably.
    I have to express my satisfaction at the excellent behavior of the
officers and crew, and do not doubt that when the occasion arrives
when they should do so they will stand to their guns as long as enough
men remain to serve them.
    In relation to the effect of the fire of the fleet on the fort, I beg leave
to express my congratulations, as I did verbally on meeting you after
the actions. It did not require a visit to the fort to see that enormous
traverses were nearly leveled, as at the S. E. angle. The stockade or
abattis must have been much shattered, and the debris from the par-
apets must have filled in the ditch greatly. I feel satisfied that every-
thing was effected that can be by powerful batteries against a sand-
work, and that we could and can keep the enemy in their bombproofs
pending an advance of troops to the foot of the parapet.
    The official letter of General Butler referred to, [which] states that
General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within 50 yards of the fort,
while the garrison was kept in their bombproofs by the fire of the navy,
and so closely that three or four mcii of the picket line ventured upon
the parapet and through the sally-port of the work, is, I think, entirely
confirmatory as to the effectiveness of our fire. He adds: This was
done while the shells of the navy were falling about the heads of the
(laring men who entered the work, but appears to forget that at any
given signal from an assaulting column, that this fire would cease and
the enemy be found not defending the parapet but safely stowed away
in bombproofs.
    I do not know what more could be asked of naval guns than to afford
a safe approach to the foot of the parapet with no lines of the enemy
drawn up to receive our forces. Beyond that, I suppose everything
would depend upon the relative forces of the combatants and the vigor
of the assault, and although the work might not, in a military sense, be
much injured, I would think the likelihood of carrying the work would

Page 312

be greatly increased by such disposition without loss of life of the
respective forces.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
    Rear-Admiral D. P. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron.
 

I found this on the Civil War Talk discussion board, by a Mike d.
 
"

FROM MEMPHIS.
Particulars of the Disaster to tbe Acacia. [Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.] , Memphis. August 2'Jd. — From persona who came up this, morning on the steamboat Con- ' way, we have some particulars of the disaster ; to the steamboat Acacia. The Acacia left this place about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, bound for Helena, having on board between seventy and eighty passengers, being convalescent soldiers and officers returning to army at Helena, sutlers, cotton buyers, and rive or six ladies, the wives  of officers, going to meet their husbands at Helena. The night, though not cloudy, was what the pilots call a "gray night," or "hazy about the horizon" so that all landmarks were blurred and indistinct, and from this cause the Acacia may have got out of the channel. About half  past one o'clock in the morning, when she had reached the foot of "Grand Cut Off," a little over sixty miles below this place, and was running over a bur, she struck a log which lay on the bottom, tearing a hole in the bottom of the boat of the width of one or two planks, and almost the entire length of the boat. She immediately began to fill rapidly, and the pilot, seeiugthat sb'e was about to sink, stopped the engines and signaled the engineer to back her, so as to keep her from goiug over the reef and sinking in deep water. Every one who is at all acquainted with the formation of sand bars in rivers, knows that the reef, or the high ridge of the bar, always runs at a right angle to the current, the lower, or down stream side, of the reef, is almost perpendicular and stands like a wall along the upper side of the channel, which zigzags from one shore to the other, and a few yards below this reef is always the deepest water in the river, while above the reef the water is shallow but very gradually deepens for miles as you go up stream. The Acacia struck so near the edge of the reef that the reversing of the engines would not check her headway before|she was carried over the reef, where in about five minutes her hull tilled and she capsized, and lay for a few minutes with the cabin nearly submerged. While this was taking place the dim scene was rendered more horrible, by the indistinct cries of the wretched souls who bad been unable to escape from the cabin, and who were being drowned as the cabin slowly settled deeper and deeper. The heated boilers too, broke loose, and went settling down, sending up a cloud of steam through the floating masses of wreck. In a few minutes the cabin with the " texas" and pilot house began to break loose from the hull and soon separated from it entirely. The hull turned bottom side up and floated down a few miles where it lodged in a shallow place, in the channel. The cabin, which still floated on its side, rose a little higher out of the water as soon us it separated from the hull, and all the passengers who could reach it, seventeen or eighteen in all, clambered on top. With these it drifted off rapidly down stream. Dozens of others were drifting near it on smaller pieces of the wreck. After drifting several miles, the wreck of the cabin came so near the shore that it passed under a tree which leaned out and hung very lowover the water. About half a dozen of those who were on the wreck managed to catch the branches as they drifted under, and so clambered along the tree to the batik. The rest, however, drifted on down twenty miles below where the accident occurred, to opposite the mouth of St. Francis river. Here the floating wreck was burled by the rapid current against a huge snag, which completely demolished it, literally breaking cabin, texas and pilot house into kindling wood. It was now daylight. As the wreck of the cabin went to pieces, those who had been drifting on it saw many of the bodies of the unfortunates who had been drowned in the cabin thrown  temporarily to the surface, among the debris of the wreck. About this time the steamboat Conway, from | Helena, came in sight, and began picking up those who were .still afloat. She also rescued half a dozen who had succeeded in getting to the bank. And soon after the dispatch lx>at W. H. 8., on her way to' Helena from this port, came in sight, she having also picked up a number from pieces of the wreck, which were scattered for many miles along the river. Thirty or forty of the passengers and crew of the Acacia came back to this place on the Conway, and quite a number, including all the officers and soldiers who had been on board, went down to Helena on the W. H. B. Out of the one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty who were on board the Acacia, it is supposed that fully forty were drowned. Among the lost were  four ladies and three children; they were in their staterooms asleep when the accident occurred, and were unable to get out of the cabin ; only two ladies are known to have been saved. The reason assigned for 60 few escaping from the cabin is, that the boat instantly careened over so much that it was impossible for any one to walk the floor. When the wreck of the cabin, after drifting so far, struck the snag that tore it to pieces, a negro who was on the wreck, was somehow left clinging to the snag, which projected above the water several feet, and to which the swift current gave a sawing motion, and one instant he was plunged down into the water, and the next raised again several feet above the surface. In this uncomfortable fix he clung several hours, until rescued by the Conway. The Acacia "had about seventy-five tons of freight on board, mostly sutlers' stores, all of which was lost. A large amount of money was ulso lost, by cotton buyers and others ; one man lost eight thousand dollars is gold, and another two thousand. A number of the survivors got off to shore near the residence cf Sirs. Dr. Kent, who showed them every assistance in her power. At one place when the Conway landed to rescue some of the survivors, the officers of the boat were told that a band of guerrillas were then looking at them with glasses from the opposite shore. All the survivors mention the name of Thomas Baldwin, the engineer of the Acacia, with commendation, for having stood at his post endeavoring to back the engines until the water rendered it impossible. The Evening Bulletin says of the unfortunate boat : " The Acacia wag the old W. IT. Langlev, which used to run to White river and other side streams, and for some time run with the Kate Frisbee in Ciiptuin Shirley's Memphis aud Vicksburg packet line. The boat was old and unfit for service. She was owned by Captain Price. " The only names we have been able to obtain are the following, which were signed to a series of resolutions which they passed, eulogizing the humanity of the officers of the Conwa\, and expressing gratitude for their generous efforts to save their lives, and kindness after they were taken on board. The names ore: "John Brown, Jbo. Carson, Charles Ross. Jno. Siven, John G. Uuer, Berom Leore, N. Lewe, E. Ringler, W. S Wood, T. Heidelberger, .1. R. Smith, Eighth Indiana; Robert A. Brown, Eighth Indiana; Isaac A. Sharp, Eighth Indiana; Letman A. White, Eighth Indiana; William Streaemeicr, John Burgess, W. U. Ashwell. I certify that the above is correct. E. Ringlek, Assistant Surgeon, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.'' The only nanio I have been able to learn of any one certainly lost is that of Mrs. Scliuman, the wife ofj^Uiiptain in the army at Helena. The wife^Tso, of a Colonel at Helena, whose name Ijould not learn, was lost. Wit for Cabbages. — A contributor to the Farmer and Gardener remarks upon this subject"

 

 

Another version:

 

"Charleston Mercury, September 3, 1862

Terrible Steamboat Disaster on the Mississippi
Memphis papers contain the particulars of a serious disaster on the Mississippi, which occurred at Grand Cut Off, sixty miles below the city, on Thursday last. The stern wheel steamer Accasia, on her way down to Helena, with a passenger and crew list of over one hundred and fifty, struck a snag, about 2 o'clock, a. m., and was so badly damaged as to sink almost immediately. The water rushed into the hold with extreme rapidity, and in five minutes of the time of striking, the boat keeled over and completely capsized. The "skylight" parted from the rest, and with the "texas" or pilot house and the staterooms, connected with it, floated. The hull completely capsized, and in doing so, glided from the shoal where the accident took place, and sunk in the deep water. So rapid did all this take place, the shock -- the rush of the waters into the hull below -- the rolling of the rolling overboard of the chimneys above -- the riving of parting timbers, as the hurricane deck separated from the cabin, and this at a time when nearly every tenant of the ill-fated boat was in deep sleep, that there was no opportunity for one to help another. Those who were on the hurricane deck heard agonizing cries, heart-rending exclamations, and vain calls for help from those below. Then they and the rest were all struggling in the waves that surged wildly round the spot where the capsized boat was swallowed up. Of the passengers, it is estimated that at least one-half, seventy-five persons, perished. One white woman and a colored chamber maid were saved, five ladies were carried down when the boiler deck broke from the hull and the hurricane from that. None of the survivors saw anything of the ladies. They probably, in their wild fright, made some attempt at dress, and those few moments were fatal. The captain, clerk, and crew, with the exception of some of the deck hands and the negro cook, got safely to land. There was on board eight thousand dollars in gold, besides the freight, valued at two thousand dollars."  
 
 
   

I found this on the Civil War Talk discussion board, by a Mike d.
 
"

FROM MEMPHIS.
Particulars of the Disaster to tbe Acacia. [Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.] , Memphis. August 2'Jd. — From persona who came up this, morning on the steamboat Con- ' way, we have some particulars of the disaster ; to the steamboat Acacia. The Acacia left this place about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, bound for Helena, having on board between seventy and eighty passengers, being convalescent soldiers and officers returning to army at Helena, sutlers, cotton buyers, and rive or six ladies, the wives  of officers, going to meet their husbands at Helena. The night, though not cloudy, was what the pilots call a "gray night," or "hazy about the horizon" so that all landmarks were blurred and indistinct, and from this cause the Acacia may have got out of the channel. About half  past one o'clock in the morning, when she had reached the foot of "Grand Cut Off," a little over sixty miles below this place, and was running over a bur, she struck a log which lay on the bottom, tearing a hole in the bottom of the boat of the width of one or two planks, and almost the entire length of the boat. She immediately began to fill rapidly, and the pilot, seeiugthat sb'e was about to sink, stopped the engines and signaled the engineer to back her, so as to keep her from goiug over the reef and sinking in deep water. Every one who is at all acquainted with the formation of sand bars in rivers, knows that the reef, or the high ridge of the bar, always runs at a right angle to the current, the lower, or down stream side, of the reef, is almost perpendicular and stands like a wall along the upper side of the channel, which zigzags from one shore to the other, and a few yards below this reef is always the deepest water in the river, while above the reef the water is shallow but very gradually deepens for miles as you go up stream. The Acacia struck so near the edge of the reef that the reversing of the engines would not check her headway before|she was carried over the reef, where in about five minutes her hull tilled and she capsized, and lay for a few minutes with the cabin nearly submerged. While this was taking place the dim scene was rendered more horrible, by the indistinct cries of the wretched souls who bad been unable to escape from the cabin, and who were being drowned as the cabin slowly settled deeper and deeper. The heated boilers too, broke loose, and went settling down, sending up a cloud of steam through the floating masses of wreck. In a few minutes the cabin with the " texas" and pilot house began to break loose from the hull and soon separated from it entirely. The hull turned bottom side up and floated down a few miles where it lodged in a shallow place, in the channel. The cabin, which still floated on its side, rose a little higher out of the water as soon us it separated from the hull, and all the passengers who could reach it, seventeen or eighteen in all, clambered on top. With these it drifted off rapidly down stream. Dozens of others were drifting near it on smaller pieces of the wreck. After drifting several miles, the wreck of the cabin came so near the shore that it passed under a tree which leaned out and hung very lowover the water. About half a dozen of those who were on the wreck managed to catch the branches as they drifted under, and so clambered along the tree to the batik. The rest, however, drifted on down twenty miles below where the accident occurred, to opposite the mouth of St. Francis river. Here the floating wreck was burled by the rapid current against a huge snag, which completely demolished it, literally breaking cabin, texas and pilot house into kindling wood. It was now daylight. As the wreck of the cabin went to pieces, those who had been drifting on it saw many of the bodies of the unfortunates who had been drowned in the cabin thrown  temporarily to the surface, among the debris of the wreck. About this time the steamboat Conway, from | Helena, came in sight, and began picking up those who were .still afloat. She also rescued half a dozen who had succeeded in getting to the bank. And soon after the dispatch lx>at W. H. 8., on her way to' Helena from this port, came in sight, she having also picked up a number from pieces of the wreck, which were scattered for many miles along the river. Thirty or forty of the passengers and crew of the Acacia came back to this place on the Conway, and quite a number, including all the officers and soldiers who had been on board, went down to Helena on the W. H. B. Out of the one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty who were on board the Acacia, it is supposed that fully forty were drowned. Among the lost were  four ladies and three children; they were in their staterooms asleep when the accident occurred, and were unable to get out of the cabin ; only two ladies are known to have been saved. The reason assigned for 60 few escaping from the cabin is, that the boat instantly careened over so much that it was impossible for any one to walk the floor. When the wreck of the cabin, after drifting so far, struck the snag that tore it to pieces, a negro who was on the wreck, was somehow left clinging to the snag, which projected above the water several feet, and to which the swift current gave a sawing motion, and one instant he was plunged down into the water, and the next raised again several feet above the surface. In this uncomfortable fix he clung several hours, until rescued by the Conway. The Acacia "had about seventy-five tons of freight on board, mostly sutlers' stores, all of which was lost. A large amount of money was ulso lost, by cotton buyers and others ; one man lost eight thousand dollars is gold, and another two thousand. A number of the survivors got off to shore near the residence cf Sirs. Dr. Kent, who showed them every assistance in her power. At one place when the Conway landed to rescue some of the survivors, the officers of the boat were told that a band of guerrillas were then looking at them with glasses from the opposite shore. All the survivors mention the name of Thomas Baldwin, the engineer of the Acacia, with commendation, for having stood at his post endeavoring to back the engines until the water rendered it impossible. The Evening Bulletin says of the unfortunate boat : " The Acacia wag the old W. IT. Langlev, which used to run to White river and other side streams, and for some time run with the Kate Frisbee in Ciiptuin Shirley's Memphis aud Vicksburg packet line. The boat was old and unfit for service. She was owned by Captain Price. " The only names we have been able to obtain are the following, which were signed to a series of resolutions which they passed, eulogizing the humanity of the officers of the Conwa\, and expressing gratitude for their generous efforts to save their lives, and kindness after they were taken on board. The names ore: "John Brown, Jbo. Carson, Charles Ross. Jno. Siven, John G. Uuer, Berom Leore, N. Lewe, E. Ringler, W. S Wood, T. Heidelberger, .1. R. Smith, Eighth Indiana; Robert A. Brown, Eighth Indiana; Isaac A. Sharp, Eighth Indiana; Letman A. White, Eighth Indiana; William Streaemeicr, John Burgess, W. U. Ashwell. I certify that the above is correct. E. Ringlek, Assistant Surgeon, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.'' The only nanio I have been able to learn of any one certainly lost is that of Mrs. Scliuman, the wife ofj^Uiiptain in the army at Helena. The wife^Tso, of a Colonel at Helena, whose name Ijould not learn, was lost. Wit for Cabbages. — A contributor to the Farmer and Gardener remarks upon this subject"

 

 

Another version:

 

"Charleston Mercury, September 3, 1862

Terrible Steamboat Disaster on the Mississippi
Memphis papers contain the particulars of a serious disaster on the Mississippi, which occurred at Grand Cut Off, sixty miles below the city, on Thursday last. The stern wheel steamer Accasia, on her way down to Helena, with a passenger and crew list of over one hundred and fifty, struck a snag, about 2 o'clock, a. m., and was so badly damaged as to sink almost immediately. The water rushed into the hold with extreme rapidity, and in five minutes of the time of striking, the boat keeled over and completely capsized. The "skylight" parted from the rest, and with the "texas" or pilot house and the staterooms, connected with it, floated. The hull completely capsized, and in doing so, glided from the shoal where the accident took place, and sunk in the deep water. So rapid did all this take place, the shock -- the rush of the waters into the hull below -- the rolling of the rolling overboard of the chimneys above -- the riving of parting timbers, as the hurricane deck separated from the cabin, and this at a time when nearly every tenant of the ill-fated boat was in deep sleep, that there was no opportunity for one to help another. Those who were on the hurricane deck heard agonizing cries, heart-rending exclamations, and vain calls for help from those below. Then they and the rest were all struggling in the waves that surged wildly round the spot where the capsized boat was swallowed up. Of the passengers, it is estimated that at least one-half, seventy-five persons, perished. One white woman and a colored chamber maid were saved, five ladies were carried down when the boiler deck broke from the hull and the hurricane from that. None of the survivors saw anything of the ladies. They probably, in their wild fright, made some attempt at dress, and those few moments were fatal. The captain, clerk, and crew, with the exception of some of the deck hands and the negro cook, got safely to land. There was on board eight thousand dollars in gold, besides the freight, valued at two thousand dollars."  
 
 
   

I found this on the Civil War Talk discussion board, by a Mike d.
 
"

FROM MEMPHIS.
Particulars of the Disaster to tbe Acacia. [Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.] , Memphis. August 2'Jd. — From persona who came up this, morning on the steamboat Con- ' way, we have some particulars of the disaster ; to the steamboat Acacia. The Acacia left this place about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, bound for Helena, having on board between seventy and eighty passengers, being convalescent soldiers and officers returning to army at Helena, sutlers, cotton buyers, and rive or six ladies, the wives  of officers, going to meet their husbands at Helena. The night, though not cloudy, was what the pilots call a "gray night," or "hazy about the horizon" so that all landmarks were blurred and indistinct, and from this cause the Acacia may have got out of the channel. About half  past one o'clock in the morning, when she had reached the foot of "Grand Cut Off," a little over sixty miles below this place, and was running over a bur, she struck a log which lay on the bottom, tearing a hole in the bottom of the boat of the width of one or two planks, and almost the entire length of the boat. She immediately began to fill rapidly, and the pilot, seeiugthat sb'e was about to sink, stopped the engines and signaled the engineer to back her, so as to keep her from goiug over the reef and sinking in deep water. Every one who is at all acquainted with the formation of sand bars in rivers, knows that the reef, or the high ridge of the bar, always runs at a right angle to the current, the lower, or down stream side, of the reef, is almost perpendicular and stands like a wall along the upper side of the channel, which zigzags from one shore to the other, and a few yards below this reef is always the deepest water in the river, while above the reef the water is shallow but very gradually deepens for miles as you go up stream. The Acacia struck so near the edge of the reef that the reversing of the engines would not check her headway before|she was carried over the reef, where in about five minutes her hull tilled and she capsized, and lay for a few minutes with the cabin nearly submerged. While this was taking place the dim scene was rendered more horrible, by the indistinct cries of the wretched souls who bad been unable to escape from the cabin, and who were being drowned as the cabin slowly settled deeper and deeper. The heated boilers too, broke loose, and went settling down, sending up a cloud of steam through the floating masses of wreck. In a few minutes the cabin with the " texas" and pilot house began to break loose from the hull and soon separated from it entirely. The hull turned bottom side up and floated down a few miles where it lodged in a shallow place, in the channel. The cabin, which still floated on its side, rose a little higher out of the water as soon us it separated from the hull, and all the passengers who could reach it, seventeen or eighteen in all, clambered on top. With these it drifted off rapidly down stream. Dozens of others were drifting near it on smaller pieces of the wreck. After drifting several miles, the wreck of the cabin came so near the shore that it passed under a tree which leaned out and hung very lowover the water. About half a dozen of those who were on the wreck managed to catch the branches as they drifted under, and so clambered along the tree to the batik. The rest, however, drifted on down twenty miles below where the accident occurred, to opposite the mouth of St. Francis river. Here the floating wreck was burled by the rapid current against a huge snag, which completely demolished it, literally breaking cabin, texas and pilot house into kindling wood. It was now daylight. As the wreck of the cabin went to pieces, those who had been drifting on it saw many of the bodies of the unfortunates who had been drowned in the cabin thrown  temporarily to the surface, among the debris of the wreck. About this time the steamboat Conway, from | Helena, came in sight, and began picking up those who were .still afloat. She also rescued half a dozen who had succeeded in getting to the bank. And soon after the dispatch lx>at W. H. 8., on her way to' Helena from this port, came in sight, she having also picked up a number from pieces of the wreck, which were scattered for many miles along the river. Thirty or forty of the passengers and crew of the Acacia came back to this place on the Conway, and quite a number, including all the officers and soldiers who had been on board, went down to Helena on the W. H. B. Out of the one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty who were on board the Acacia, it is supposed that fully forty were drowned. Among the lost were  four ladies and three children; they were in their staterooms asleep when the accident occurred, and were unable to get out of the cabin ; only two ladies are known to have been saved. The reason assigned for 60 few escaping from the cabin is, that the boat instantly careened over so much that it was impossible for any one to walk the floor. When the wreck of the cabin, after drifting so far, struck the snag that tore it to pieces, a negro who was on the wreck, was somehow left clinging to the snag, which projected above the water several feet, and to which the swift current gave a sawing motion, and one instant he was plunged down into the water, and the next raised again several feet above the surface. In this uncomfortable fix he clung several hours, until rescued by the Conway. The Acacia "had about seventy-five tons of freight on board, mostly sutlers' stores, all of which was lost. A large amount of money was ulso lost, by cotton buyers and others ; one man lost eight thousand dollars is gold, and another two thousand. A number of the survivors got off to shore near the residence cf Sirs. Dr. Kent, who showed them every assistance in her power. At one place when the Conway landed to rescue some of the survivors, the officers of the boat were told that a band of guerrillas were then looking at them with glasses from the opposite shore. All the survivors mention the name of Thomas Baldwin, the engineer of the Acacia, with commendation, for having stood at his post endeavoring to back the engines until the water rendered it impossible. The Evening Bulletin says of the unfortunate boat : " The Acacia wag the old W. IT. Langlev, which used to run to White river and other side streams, and for some time run with the Kate Frisbee in Ciiptuin Shirley's Memphis aud Vicksburg packet line. The boat was old and unfit for service. She was owned by Captain Price. " The only names we have been able to obtain are the following, which were signed to a series of resolutions which they passed, eulogizing the humanity of the officers of the Conwa\, and expressing gratitude for their generous efforts to save their lives, and kindness after they were taken on board. The names ore: "John Brown, Jbo. Carson, Charles Ross. Jno. Siven, John G. Uuer, Berom Leore, N. Lewe, E. Ringler, W. S Wood, T. Heidelberger, .1. R. Smith, Eighth Indiana; Robert A. Brown, Eighth Indiana; Isaac A. Sharp, Eighth Indiana; Letman A. White, Eighth Indiana; William Streaemeicr, John Burgess, W. U. Ashwell. I certify that the above is correct. E. Ringlek, Assistant Surgeon, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.'' The only nanio I have been able to learn of any one certainly lost is that of Mrs. Scliuman, the wife ofj^Uiiptain in the army at Helena. The wife^Tso, of a Colonel at Helena, whose name Ijould not learn, was lost. Wit for Cabbages. — A contributor to the Farmer and Gardener remarks upon this subject"

 

 

Another version:

 

"Charleston Mercury, September 3, 1862

Terrible Steamboat Disaster on the Mississippi
Memphis papers contain the particulars of a serious disaster on the Mississippi, which occurred at Grand Cut Off, sixty miles below the city, on Thursday last. The stern wheel steamer Accasia, on her way down to Helena, with a passenger and crew list of over one hundred and fifty, struck a snag, about 2 o'clock, a. m., and was so badly damaged as to sink almost immediately. The water rushed into the hold with extreme rapidity, and in five minutes of the time of striking, the boat keeled over and completely capsized. The "skylight" parted from the rest, and with the "texas" or pilot house and the staterooms, connected with it, floated. The hull completely capsized, and in doing so, glided from the shoal where the accident took place, and sunk in the deep water. So rapid did all this take place, the shock -- the rush of the waters into the hull below -- the rolling of the rolling overboard of the chimneys above -- the riving of parting timbers, as the hurricane deck separated from the cabin, and this at a time when nearly every tenant of the ill-fated boat was in deep sleep, that there was no opportunity for one to help another. Those who were on the hurricane deck heard agonizing cries, heart-rending exclamations, and vain calls for help from those below. Then they and the rest were all struggling in the waves that surged wildly round the spot where the capsized boat was swallowed up. Of the passengers, it is estimated that at least one-half, seventy-five persons, perished. One white woman and a colored chamber maid were saved, five ladies were carried down when the boiler deck broke from the hull and the hurricane from that. None of the survivors saw anything of the ladies. They probably, in their wild fright, made some attempt at dress, and those few moments were fatal. The captain, clerk, and crew, with the exception of some of the deck hands and the negro cook, got safely to land. There was on board eight thousand dollars in gold, besides the freight, valued at two thousand dollars."  
 
 
   

I found this on the Civil War Talk discussion board, by a Mike d.
 
"

FROM MEMPHIS.
Particulars of the Disaster to tbe Acacia. [Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.] , Memphis. August 2'Jd. — From persona who came up this, morning on the steamboat Con- ' way, we have some particulars of the disaster ; to the steamboat Acacia. The Acacia left this place about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, bound for Helena, having on board between seventy and eighty passengers, being convalescent soldiers and officers returning to army at Helena, sutlers, cotton buyers, and rive or six ladies, the wives  of officers, going to meet their husbands at Helena. The night, though not cloudy, was what the pilots call a "gray night," or "hazy about the horizon" so that all landmarks were blurred and indistinct, and from this cause the Acacia may have got out of the channel. About half  past one o'clock in the morning, when she had reached the foot of "Grand Cut Off," a little over sixty miles below this place, and was running over a bur, she struck a log which lay on the bottom, tearing a hole in the bottom of the boat of the width of one or two planks, and almost the entire length of the boat. She immediately began to fill rapidly, and the pilot, seeiugthat sb'e was about to sink, stopped the engines and signaled the engineer to back her, so as to keep her from goiug over the reef and sinking in deep water. Every one who is at all acquainted with the formation of sand bars in rivers, knows that the reef, or the high ridge of the bar, always runs at a right angle to the current, the lower, or down stream side, of the reef, is almost perpendicular and stands like a wall along the upper side of the channel, which zigzags from one shore to the other, and a few yards below this reef is always the deepest water in the river, while above the reef the water is shallow but very gradually deepens for miles as you go up stream. The Acacia struck so near the edge of the reef that the reversing of the engines would not check her headway before|she was carried over the reef, where in about five minutes her hull tilled and she capsized, and lay for a few minutes with the cabin nearly submerged. While this was taking place the dim scene was rendered more horrible, by the indistinct cries of the wretched souls who bad been unable to escape from the cabin, and who were being drowned as the cabin slowly settled deeper and deeper. The heated boilers too, broke loose, and went settling down, sending up a cloud of steam through the floating masses of wreck. In a few minutes the cabin with the " texas" and pilot house began to break loose from the hull and soon separated from it entirely. The hull turned bottom side up and floated down a few miles where it lodged in a shallow place, in the channel. The cabin, which still floated on its side, rose a little higher out of the water as soon us it separated from the hull, and all the passengers who could reach it, seventeen or eighteen in all, clambered on top. With these it drifted off rapidly down stream. Dozens of others were drifting near it on smaller pieces of the wreck. After drifting several miles, the wreck of the cabin came so near the shore that it passed under a tree which leaned out and hung very lowover the water. About half a dozen of those who were on the wreck managed to catch the branches as they drifted under, and so clambered along the tree to the batik. The rest, however, drifted on down twenty miles below where the accident occurred, to opposite the mouth of St. Francis river. Here the floating wreck was burled by the rapid current against a huge snag, which completely demolished it, literally breaking cabin, texas and pilot house into kindling wood. It was now daylight. As the wreck of the cabin went to pieces, those who had been drifting on it saw many of the bodies of the unfortunates who had been drowned in the cabin thrown  temporarily to the surface, among the debris of the wreck. About this time the steamboat Conway, from | Helena, came in sight, and began picking up those who were .still afloat. She also rescued half a dozen who had succeeded in getting to the bank. And soon after the dispatch lx>at W. H. 8., on her way to' Helena from this port, came in sight, she having also picked up a number from pieces of the wreck, which were scattered for many miles along the river. Thirty or forty of the passengers and crew of the Acacia came back to this place on the Conway, and quite a number, including all the officers and soldiers who had been on board, went down to Helena on the W. H. B. Out of the one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty who were on board the Acacia, it is supposed that fully forty were drowned. Among the lost were  four ladies and three children; they were in their staterooms asleep when the accident occurred, and were unable to get out of the cabin ; only two ladies are known to have been saved. The reason assigned for 60 few escaping from the cabin is, that the boat instantly careened over so much that it was impossible for any one to walk the floor. When the wreck of the cabin, after drifting so far, struck the snag that tore it to pieces, a negro who was on the wreck, was somehow left clinging to the snag, which projected above the water several feet, and to which the swift current gave a sawing motion, and one instant he was plunged down into the water, and the next raised again several feet above the surface. In this uncomfortable fix he clung several hours, until rescued by the Conway. The Acacia "had about seventy-five tons of freight on board, mostly sutlers' stores, all of which was lost. A large amount of money was ulso lost, by cotton buyers and others ; one man lost eight thousand dollars is gold, and another two thousand. A number of the survivors got off to shore near the residence cf Sirs. Dr. Kent, who showed them every assistance in her power. At one place when the Conway landed to rescue some of the survivors, the officers of the boat were told that a band of guerrillas were then looking at them with glasses from the opposite shore. All the survivors mention the name of Thomas Baldwin, the engineer of the Acacia, with commendation, for having stood at his post endeavoring to back the engines until the water rendered it impossible. The Evening Bulletin says of the unfortunate boat : " The Acacia wag the old W. IT. Langlev, which used to run to White river and other side streams, and for some time run with the Kate Frisbee in Ciiptuin Shirley's Memphis aud Vicksburg packet line. The boat was old and unfit for service. She was owned by Captain Price. " The only names we have been able to obtain are the following, which were signed to a series of resolutions which they passed, eulogizing the humanity of the officers of the Conwa\, and expressing gratitude for their generous efforts to save their lives, and kindness after they were taken on board. The names ore: "John Brown, Jbo. Carson, Charles Ross. Jno. Siven, John G. Uuer, Berom Leore, N. Lewe, E. Ringler, W. S Wood, T. Heidelberger, .1. R. Smith, Eighth Indiana; Robert A. Brown, Eighth Indiana; Isaac A. Sharp, Eighth Indiana; Letman A. White, Eighth Indiana; William Streaemeicr, John Burgess, W. U. Ashwell. I certify that the above is correct. E. Ringlek, Assistant Surgeon, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.'' The only nanio I have been able to learn of any one certainly lost is that of Mrs. Scliuman, the wife ofj^Uiiptain in the army at Helena. The wife^Tso, of a Colonel at Helena, whose name Ijould not learn, was lost. Wit for Cabbages. — A contributor to the Farmer and Gardener remarks upon this subject"

 

 

Another version:

 

"Charleston Mercury, September 3, 1862

Terrible Steamboat Disaster on the Mississippi
Memphis papers contain the particulars of a serious disaster on the Mississippi, which occurred at Grand Cut Off, sixty miles below the city, on Thursday last. The stern wheel steamer Accasia, on her way down to Helena, with a passenger and crew list of over one hundred and fifty, struck a snag, about 2 o'clock, a. m., and was so badly damaged as to sink almost immediately. The water rushed into the hold with extreme rapidity, and in five minutes of the time of striking, the boat keeled over and completely capsized. The "skylight" parted from the rest, and with the "texas" or pilot house and the staterooms, connected with it, floated. The hull completely capsized, and in doing so, glided from the shoal where the accident took place, and sunk in the deep water. So rapid did all this take place, the shock -- the rush of the waters into the hull below -- the rolling of the rolling overboard of the chimneys above -- the riving of parting timbers, as the hurricane deck separated from the cabin, and this at a time when nearly every tenant of the ill-fated boat was in deep sleep, that there was no opportunity for one to help another. Those who were on the hurricane deck heard agonizing cries, heart-rending exclamations, and vain calls for help from those below. Then they and the rest were all struggling in the waves that surged wildly round the spot where the capsized boat was swallowed up. Of the passengers, it is estimated that at least one-half, seventy-five persons, perished. One white woman and a colored chamber maid were saved, five ladies were carried down when the boiler deck broke from the hull and the hurricane from that. None of the survivors saw anything of the ladies. They probably, in their wild fright, made some attempt at dress, and those few moments were fatal. The captain, clerk, and crew, with the exception of some of the deck hands and the negro cook, got safely to land. There was on board eight thousand dollars in gold, besides the freight, valued at two thousand dollars."  
 
 
   

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

Interesting accounts. Bainbridge was actually a brig, sister ship to the unlucky Somers. Both had excessive rigs and both went down at sea (Bainbridge in 1863).
 
On the other, that same Vincennes was the flagship of the US Exploring Expedition under then-Lieutenant Wilkes (the same guy who did the Trent Affair in the Civil War) in the 1840s. In this captain's case, it's doubly unlucky, since the boat howitzers were designed with breeching rope originally, but it was removed from the final design because the recoil wasn't enough to really need them. Might have saved this one's life.

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

I found both of these brief, yet sad recollections of the deaths of two young American naval officers in the book "Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz in the Days of Wooden Ships." by Charles S. Foltz.
 
After an Argentine Schooner of War had seized a neutral American merchant ship in November, 1844, a nearby American squadron consisting of the USS Bainbridge and the USS Congress arrived on the scene, quickly freed her, and captured the entire Buenos Aires squadron, all in front of the approving eyes of "warships of many European nations." Commodore Voorhees then released the Argentine naval ships with a warning not to mess with US ships. Doctor Foltz observed:
 
"Captain Newman, of the Bainbridge, committed suicide under the following circumstances. After leaving Rio,  ... he was coming up the harbor, just as day was dawning,  under American colors and a night pennant. A Buenos Ayrean schooner fired at him, fired a second, and a third time, when Captain Newman ordered his main-topsail thrown to the mast.
 
So soon as this was made known to Captain Voorhees of the Congress, he suspended Captain Newman and rebuked him severely, ordering him to hold himself in readiness for court martial. Captain Newman acknowledged his guilt and unmanly conduct, became conscious of his disgrace, and on the ninth instant, threw himself overboard from the brig. He was found with his pockets filled with lead and [he] was buried on shore."
 
 
In December, 1862, the replacement captain of the USS Vincennes, the same sloop of war which behaved so poorly at the Battle of Head of Passes [see my earlier post on the Preble] against the Ram CSS Manassas, also met a tragic end .
 
"... a few days before, Captain Marcy of the Vincennes, a son of Governor Marcy, the late Secretary of War, had been killed by the recoil of a boat howitzer which broke from its fastenings ... he was beloved and respected by all who knew him, and he leaves a wife and three children."

There was a book called "HMS Victory, Restoration and Repair", I think, by a guy named Bugler or Buglar, that had a full set of twenty-six official 1/4" scale plans from the 1970s. That book is kinda rare though. They were the official plans of the ship as restored.
 
They are a two volume set. There are two on E-bay right now: $349 and $583, both Buy-It Now. Expensive, but the NMM will charge you nearly $90 for just one oversized sheet.

Hello all,
 
Here's a review on SeaWatch's latest book.  I hope you find it informative.
 
BobF
 
USS Susquehanna 1847.pdf

Hi Bava,
 
Hilhouse built the Termagent speculatively on the new Hilhouse shipyard at Redclift,  after he built the Privateer Ship Mars ( 1779 cooper sheathed) Both were based on the plans of Ceres 1777.
Hilhouse knew the good sailing qualities of the Ceres from his former work at the Royal Shipyards in Chatham and Woolwich.

From Mars, there is a print of Pocock and a shipyard model of her held by the Bristol Museums, Galeries & Archives

Now, Termagant is an interesting subject. I came across her sheer and profile plan many years ago and noticed that it shows a very early example of 'plug stock' rudder. Notice how the stern post is sloped away at the upper end so that the upper part of the rudder can turn in a small, circular helm port. This style of rudder was generally adopted by the Navy only some 25 to 30 years later.
 
This alone will make her an extremely interesting model.

She was unusually graceful for an English ship. Very French looking, and she has a complete set of carvings. Pretty. Strange that they would only arm her with six-pounders, as ships of her size and her number of main deck ports normally carried nines. Perhaps she was too lightly framed? In his index for his Naval History of Great Britain, contemporary Historian William James notes that there was a Termagant (20) still in fleet service during the Napoleonic Wars.