Volume 2, Issue 3

I A Newsletter for the Supporters of the Naval Museum I Beyond the Monitor and the by Hunt Lewis esides USS Monitor, there Bwere three other intriguing Union vessels which made use of new naval technology and served in and around Hampton Roads during the first part of the . They were the ironclads USS Galena and New Ironsides and the balloon barge G. WP. Custis. The first observation balloons used No, that is not a radar dome, it is an observation balloon. The balloon is onboard the barge G.W.P. during the Civil War suffered from Custis which is pictured here on the in 1862. The Federals poured highly acidic sulfuric mobility problems since they were acid over hot iron filings to produce the hydrogen necessary to achieve lift-off for the balloon. The inflated from city gas works and then chemical reaction being Fe+HpO,->FeSO, +Hr (Sept. 6, 1862 Harper's Weekly engraving) slowly towed to observation sites. project. The Navy provided the barge and La Mountain proposed using his Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe solved towing services, but the barge was balloons as offensive weapons, saying to this problem by developing a portable manned by Armyballoonhandlersunder the War Department "I am well hydrogen gas generating system. Lowe's instruction. The first ascent from convinced in my mind ....that I can build Since so much of the East Coast was the barge was made by Professor Lowe a balloon in a month's time, and with it accessible by waterways, Lowe and Gen. Daniel E. Sickles on Nov. 11, shell, burnordestroyNorfolkoranycity suggested that balloons and supporting 1861 where they observed the near our camps." Gen. Butler advised equipment be transported by water. A construction of Confederate batteries on the plan be given a trial, but the bombing coal barge was converted at the one of the Potomac's tributaries. expedition never took place. Navy Yard into the balloon Credit for the frrst waterborne use of barge George Washington Park Custis. a balloon in the Civil War, however, Galena .and New Ironsides A flat overhanging deck was added to belongs to John La Mountain who on At the same time the Navy's Ironclad provide space for balloon handling, gas Aug. 3, 1861 had his balloon towed by Board awarded the contract for John generating equipment and a stern house. the armed transport Fanny from Fortress Ericcson' s Monitor, it awarded contracts Operation was an inter-service Monroe across Hampton Roads to see for two broadside ironclads. These Inside The Day Book what the Confederates were doing at broadside ironclads were essentially Sewells Point. There, La Mountain armored adaptations of conventional • Director's Column ...... 2 ascended to 2,000 feet and saw the . One of these was to prove a Protector of a Lifeline ..... 2 Confederates constructing gun pits and qualified success, the other an absolute embrasures pointing threatening Union failure. These ships were USS New Brave or Insane? ...... 3 forts and ships. Further observations Ironsides and USS Galena. To My Loving Mother.... 4 were made of and Pig · Cornelius Scranton Bushnell, a Gosport on Fire ...... 8 Point. La Mountain drew sketches ofthe railroad entrepreneur, had previously The Museum Sage...... lO batteries and sent them on to Gen. Butler sold two ships to the Navy. He prepared at Fortress Monroe. Beyond continued on page 6 Springing Forward Protector of The Director's Column a Lifeline by Becky Poulliot pringtime is upon us and as we the public on naval topics and also invite by Bob Matteson Editor's Note: As part of its education dig out of the snow and ice, the them to visit the museum. We already program, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum 0 museum has several exciting have a number of people signed up, but offers first person interpretation of historical things happening. are always willing to accept new characters. Two of these characters are a U­ In February, the museum opened a volunteers. Boat commander and an escort commander. In this issue, we feature the escort commander. temporary exhibit called "To My Loving There are a couple of other events y name is Cmdr. A.C. Mother," which displays postcards from where we need participants. The Virginia Murdaugh and I command the early twentieth century. The Association of Museum (YAM) is a group. My ship, postcards present scenes of daily Navy holding its 1996 conference here in M USS Edison (DD-439), is one of two life, the warships of the time and the Norfolk, March 17-19. V AM is looking Benson-class in my group. Jamestown Exposition of 1907. The for volunteers to assist them with the The two destroyers are relatively new. postcards give us a rare look at the Navy, conference. Contact the museum for The Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock and our nation on the brink of becoming more details. Also, on March 25 and Company in Kearny, N.J. built both of a world power. The exhibit will run April 11, the second and third parts of them just before the outbreak ofwar with through May 31 . Read more about the the "Wings Over the Bay" lecture series the Germans. The other two destroyers exhibit in this issue of The Daybook on will take place. See page 9 for more in my group are anything but new. USS page 4. details. Lea (DD-114) and USS Berandou (DD- After many interviews and much This issue of The Daybook focuses on 153) are both old four piper, flush-deck discussion among the staff and docents, three intriguing topics from the American destroyers from . But times the museum has hired Edward Lane to Civil War. The article showcases the are tough and all available ships are become the new volunteer coordinator. emerging naval technology as needed. Mr. Lane is a recent graduate ofNorfolk demonstrated in new ships and ideas. The group operates out of . On State University and comes to us from This issue also examines some of the Feb. 19, 1942, the escort group of four Culpeper, Va. He has taken the job with personalities involved in the burning of destroyers picked up convoy ON-67 at great enthusiasm. You can fmd a picture the Gosport Shipyard in 18() 1. We also the mid-ocean meeting point, just south ofhim on page 11. meet a dynamic Naval officer named of Iceland. Here, my group took over We are in the process of assembling a William Cushing, one of the Civil War's escort duties from a British force. Once speaker's bureau for the museum. The more flamboyant characters. the convoy was under my protection, I group will provide speakers ready to give As you can see, there are many things established communications with the a talk or presentation to interested outside happening at the museum. We hope you convoy commander, a retired British organizations. The bureau will inform will play a part. ~ rear . One Canadian , HMCS Algona, stayed with us. About The Day Book HRNMStaff ON-67 was now enroute to Halifax, The Day Book is an authorized publication of the Director . It was made up of 35 Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do Becky Poulliot empty freighters and tankers which Curator not necessarily reflect the official view of the U.S. steamed in eight columns, four miles Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or Joe Judge the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement Education Specialist across. Along with the escorts, the thereof. The HRNM is a museum dedicated to the study of 200 Bob Matteson convoy also had a rescue ship called SS years of naval history in the Hampton Roads region. The museum Exhibits Specialist Toward. It carried special life saving Marta Nelson is open Monday from 9 am. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through equipment, hospital facilities and radio Sunday from I 0 am. to 5 p.m. Museum Technician The DayBook's purpose is to educate and inform readers on Ofelia Elba direction fmding equipment (HF/DF). historical topics and museum related events. It is written by the Assistant Curator Anytime the U-boat commanders started • staff and volunteers of the museum. The newsletter takes its Tom Dandes BTCS (SW) to send a message to their headquarters, HRNM LPO name from a 19th century Norfolk newspaper. the HF/DF or, "huff-duff," would pick it Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton EM I Francis Cannon Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached at Editor of The DayBook up and we could track them down. 444-8971, by fax at 445-1867, or write The Day Book, Gordon Calhoun Toward stean1ed at the rear ofthe convoy Hampton Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Suite Volunteer Coordinator to pick up any survivors should one of Edward Lane 248, Norfolk, VA 23510-1607. The museum can be found the ships get hit. on the World Wide Web at http://:xroads.virginia.edu/- VAMI Director, HRNHF vamhome.html. The Day Book is published bi-monthly with Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, As an escort commander, my mission a circulation of I ,000. USMC (Ret) was the safe and timely arrival of the Protector continued page I 0

2 Brave or Just Plain Wacko? Lt. William Cushing and his service to the U.S. Navy, part 1 by David Rawlings n the museum's exhibit on the Officer Goldsborough, demanding to join assault on , there is a the Burnside Expedition which was I group photograph of Rear Adm. heading south to capture Roanoke Island. David Dixon Porter and his staff taken at "I have nothing to do here, because there the time of the expedition. Standing at are so many officers that there is not the edge of the group is one of the Navy's enough for them to do," Cushing wrote. greatest heroes and strangest characters. In March 1862, however, Cushing's The gentleman in question is William boredom came to a sudden end with the Barker Cushing. This "Fighting Man of sortie of the ironclad CSS Virginia and the Sounds" is famous for the . his feats and bravery which made him Cambridge had been ordered to tow the historical forerunner oftoday's Navy USS St. Lawrence into action SEAL teams. against the ironclad. However, like the Raised by his widowed mother in Harper's Weekly drew and published this Minnesota, St. Lawrence ran aground portrait of Lt. William Cushing, one ofthe most upstate , Cushing established interesting personalities ofthe Civil War. Many and was not able to participate. Cushing an early reputation for fearlessness. ofhis exploits were done in the Hampton Roads received a slight wound from one Enrolling in the Naval Academy before and Albermarle Sound regions. (Nov. I 9, 1864 Virginia's shells during the action. The his 15th birthday, his strong sense of Harper's Weekly engraving) wound became infected and his captain personal honor and propensity for pranks member of the Navy's Ironclad Board granted him leave to recover. endeared him to his classmates but made and father of the commanding officer of He returned to Hampton Roads two enemies among the academy staff. the ill-fated frigate USS Congress. Smith months later and served aboard At the time that Cushing attended convinced Secretary Welles to give Minnesota. Anxious to see more combat, Annapolis, the academy had a reputation Cushing a second chance by granting him Cushing tried to serve as a ground soldier for being a place for drunk and chronic the warrant officer rank of master's mate. with his brother Alonzo. misbehaving midshipmen. Recognizing Only a month after his dismissal from Despite Cushing's disrespect for his the need to reform the institution, the Annapolis, Cushing received orders for superiors, the Navy promoted him to Naval Academy staff began to tighten Hampton Roads aboard the screw frigate lieutenant, skipping the rank of ensign, regulations concerning midshipman USS Minnesota, the flagship ofthe North and then gave him a choice of conduct and academic performance. Atlantic Blockading Squadron. assignments. Without hesitation, he Cushing got caught by the reforms. On While stationed aboard Minnesota, elected to serve with his old mentor March 23, 1861, just a few months before he captained prize crews to ferry captured Charles Fisher aboard the USS graduation, the academy dismissed him vessels and commanded the quarterdeck Commodore Perry in the Carolina for academic failure after he flunked gun division during the capture of Fort Sounds. While only 19 years old, Spanish. Some sources indicate that the Hatteras and Fort Clark in August 1861. Cushing's career was just getting instructor who caused Cushing to be He still, however, was not satisfied with interesting. dismissed had been an early victim of being a warrant officer and continued his From his earliest service, Cushing Cushing's practical jokes. desire to be a line officer. After he displayed two traits which became his Frustrated at being denied an challenged a troublesome lieutenant to a trademark: an incessant desire to lead in opportunity to serves as a Naval officer, duel, he resigned his warrant and renewed combat, and an open disrespect for his Cushing lobbied hard to obtain some his case to Secretary Welles. His gamble seniors and the sacred tradition of position in the U.S. Navy so that he could paid off and he received orders to return following the chain of command. The participate in the coming conflict. to Hampton Roads onboard the screw frrst trait would steer him into numerous • Several of his classmates from the steamer USS Cambridge as a line officer. close quarters with Confederate forces, academy encouraged him to join the Cambridge was one of many vessels often behind enemy lines in shore or . However, assigned to the laborious task of riverine settings. The latter trait kept him Cushing turned down this opportunity to blockading Hampton Roads. This was in continual hot water with his seniors take his chances on any billet in the Union not what Cushing had in mind and he and he made enemies among some Navy. Fortunately for Cushing, he became outright bored with the duty. He officers who interpreted his flamboyant received help in his cause from a high ignored all tradition and protocol and actions as personal arrogance. ..l!b- ranking officer. His mother's cousin was appealed directly to the commanding The second part of William Cushing's story will Commodore , who was a officer of the blockading squadron, Flag continue in the next issue of The Daybook.

3 Naval postcards from the early 20th century now on display by Harrell Forrest and Joe Judge ostcards have established themselves as one of the most popular forms of Pcommunication in the last 125 years. Even in today's computerized world, it is still a thrill to receive the colorful picture of a far­ away place, sent for an inexpensive price. In the 19th century, populations were better educated and more literate than the pervious century. Writing was becoming a common method of communication. The need for a less expensive form of mail led to the creation of the world's first postcard in Austria in 1869. Other '• countries adopted the idea and This is a postcard of the armored USS Colorado (CA-7} . Notice the white area below the picture. This area was available for correspondence. Legally, one was supposed to write authorized postcards, including the correspondence in ihis area, and only the address on the back. However, as with many regulations, in 1873 . The first it did not reflect the reality of the situation as many people wrote correspondence on the back postcards were simple cards with no when the postcard publisher made space available (see below). By 1907, the Universal Postal illustrations, as the governments Union changed the law and the white section of the postcard was removed. (1904 postcard picture drawn by William H. Rau) themselves issued the cards. They cost less to mail than regular letters and therefore were instantly popular. In the U.S., more than 60 million postcards were sold within the first six months of issue. The 1893 Colombian Exhibit in New York spurred the use of color pictures on postcards for the first time in the U.S. The popularity of the new format led to other "picture postcards." At the time, the post office decreed that the term "postal cards" would refer to government­ issued cards, while "postcards" were issued by private entrepreneurs. The active bureaucrats also decreed that term "POST CARD" be printed • above the address on these non­ was in full swing. meeting in Italy, agreed to allow government cards. The public loved At first, postal regulations insisted messages on the back of postcards in the colorful cards. Many of them that one side of the card be reserved 1906. This change reached the were printed in Germany where new for the address and only the address. United States in the form of new methods of photo-lithography made This rule reflected the concerns that postal regulations set in October the production of cards easy with postmasters had with franking the 1907. The new regulations allowed beautiful results. Some cards even cards. As the cards became more messages on the back of postcards. had gilt added. In the 1890s, in popular, postal authorities relented Naval subjects were a perfect Europe and , a postcard craze and the Universal Postal Union, To My continued on page 5

4 To My continued from page 4 choice for the new medium. Naval ships at the turn of the century were dynamic, exotic and exciting, suggesting the power of the new twentieth century. Naval subjects were also patriotic, fitting for a country that had just emerged victorious from the Spanish­ American War. The museum exhibit features postcards that address five themes: ships, naval life, the voyage of the , the 1907 Jamestown Exposition and naval stations in Norfolk. Almost every type of ship from the early twentieth­ "Mascots On Board United States Warship " Mascots were a frequent sight on board U.S. Navy century Navy found itself represented vessels in the early twentieth century. Everything/rom dogs and monkeys to pigs named "Dennis " on a postcard, from the large could be found alongside the working sailors. During the Great White Fleet voyage, the citizens like Mississippi (BB-23) of Aberdeen, Washington gave each of the /6 ba/1/eships a bear cub. In this picture, our sailors to small like Petrel (PG-2). have posed with four adorable killens and a goat. (1907 postcard drawn by Enrique Muller) Early like Plunger (SS- cards show sailors writing home and progressed on their two-year journey. 1), Shark (SS-8) and Porpoise (SS- reading letters. One card features the parade of 7) were pictured, as were the Events like the Great White Fleet sailors in Norfolk's Freemason remammg monitor-type coast and the Jamestown Exposition neighborhood upon the fleet's return. defense vessels, redesigned after the generated many postcards. When the The Jamestown Exposition postcards Civil War. All of these portraits show Great White Fleet gathered in offer a colorful look at the attractions, clean, vigorous ships-the match of Hampton Roads in 1907, it was a exhibits and pavilions that were the any European fleet. sight that the American people had talk of the town in 1907. In the 20th century Navy sailors had to learn their craft at shore OM BOAitD UNITE:> STA.TBG WAiteHIP. facilities, such as the St. Helena Naval Training Station and the Naval Operating Base. Postcards of these places let people at home know where their sons were, what the bases looked like and showed examples of what sailors did to train~ ·. ·~·: . ; ·z,. ~- . ~ i ()>"~ . " ~·¥:·r.· .-~~: -~· ·:·, ~: _,· ~ :~.· -*· \ - ~:.. · < . ~ · :·::· ~ ?:.: >~ ·r.flaGe·Stamp .,_.:: .. ,_ .. , · .. :~ .. _;:}ier,e : ·-~-·., _;,/ -: . . . ·' ... DOmestic ·;· · ;;' ;,.. Cztnadn. G~:~oa , ~; Hawaii: : ':. ~ · J~~iJip):lin~s. · . ··:~.or~ . Rlqo :..- ...... : ·1 .Cent ··.-'· .. ·. .._ :. ' "/ { : • "<.. ' ¥ "Boxing On Board United States Warship" An interesting side note to the postcards on display is · foreign\ .. > : :c the lack of officers in the pictures. For the most part, enlisted personnel and their activities are 2 _Cents J. :: ..• ' • the subjects of the pictures. (1907 postcard drawn by Enrique Muller) .,:.: The postcard images of sailor's never seen: 16 battleships, some life concentrate on traditional naval fresh from the builders, manned by All the world for two pennies. If the writer activities and precious leisure time. 14,000 officers and sailors. The cards addressed the card to North America or the The cards show sailors splicing rope, in the exhibit show the individual newly acquired possessions of the Philippine signaling and cooking, as well as ships of the fleet, along with some of Islands, the Hawaiian Islands or Puerto Rico, playing cards, boxing and shaving. the parades and celebrations held it would only cost them one cent. Anywhere Appropriately enough, two of the around the world as the ships else would cost two cents.

5 Beyond continued from page 1 the plans of Galena with the assistance of naval architect Samuel H. Pook and famed inventor . Bushnell returned the favor to Ericsson by helping to pave the way with the Ironclad Board for Ericsson's design of Monitor. The hull of Galena was 181 feet long (21 0 feet overall) with an extreme of36 feet and of 12 ft-8 inches. The hull had an extreme tumblehome (inward curvature) starting about a foot above the . Three and a half inches of built-up armor in a complicated rail and This is an engraving of the ironclad USS Galena just after it was launched at Mystic, Conn. plate system extended from about 20 feet Designed by railroad baron Cornelius Scranton Bushnell, Galena arrived at Hampton Roads in from the stem to the same distance from May, 1862 and patrolled the James River. Along with USS Monitor and a few gunboats, Galena would later unsuccessfully attempt to force its way past/he guns at Drewry's Bluff (Sept. 6, 1862 the stem. The stem and stem areas were Harper's Weekly engraving) protected by a half-inch of armor. The weather deck consisted of a half-inch of to obstacles placed in the James River. David Dixon Porter summed up his iron over two and half-inches of wood. Galena steamed within 600 yards of opinion on Galena by using Armament consisted of two 100-pdr Drewry's Bluff then anchored where all words like "a so called ironside", "a rifles which could be shifted to either side its guns could engage the Confederate slaughterhouse" and "a perfect failure ofthe ship and four 9-in guns in broadside batteries located on the bluff. Of all the as an ironclad." on each side. Gunport shutters consisted ships in the Union squadron, Galena was USS New Ironsides, however, was a ofupper and lower sections with the same the only ship capable of firing at the much more successful warship. Design three and a half inch armor as the hull. Confederate fort. The Confederate of New Ironsides was credited to B. H. Galena was propelled by two engines gunners soon realized this and Bartol, superintendent of the Merrick & of Ericsson design built by Delamater concentrated their fire on it. Galena Sons works with the actual construction Ironworks. Four boilers provided a total bravely remained in position until almost being done by William Cramp & Sons of 800 horsepower to turn a single all of its ammunition was exhausted. of . Construction took less screw for an average speed of six knots. Meanwhile its armor was being than a year and the Navy accepted New Built in Mystic, Conn. at the shipyard of Maxson and Fish, Galena was finished out at the New York firm of T. F. Rowland and commissioned April 21, 1862. Under sail it made seven to eight knots but rolled heavily. It failed to make a good impression on arrival. Goldsborough, commanding the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, ordered its spars cut-away and sheet iron installed to cover the nuts that were used to secure the armor. Galena's commander This is a view of Galena 's gundeck. This ship carried four 9-inch Dahlgren smoothbores and two expressed grave reservations about its I 00-pdr Parrott rifles. At the Battle of Drewry's Bluff, Galena's guns were the only ones which survivability in battle because of its could elevate enough fire at the Confederate fort. The Confederate gunners soon realized this light armor . and turned all of their guns on the Galena. (Sept. 6, 1862 Harper's Weekly engraving) • On May 15 , 1862, Galena continually penetrated by Confederate Ironsides on Aug. 21, 1862. accompanied by Monitor, and the fire, which killed 13 and wounded 11 of New Ironsides was 262 feet long, had unarmored gunboats Aroostook, Port its 150 man crew. a beam of 57 feet-6 inches and draft of Royal, and Naugatuck attempted to Subsequently, Galena was stripped of 16 feet. Although a poor hull form for reach Richmond in support of its armor except about its engine room. speed or handling, the unusually wide McClellan's . After After extensive repairs, it was rerigged beam enabled it to carry heavy armor and successfully clearing some small as a -of-war with a barkentine rig. armament while still being able to enter Confederate gun emplacements, the Galena met its end by being condemned shallow southern harbors. squadron stopped at Drewry's Bluff due and broken-up in 1870. Rear Adm. Beyond continued on page 7

6 Beyond continued from page 6 The side annor consisted of four and to be useful. New Ironsides fired only water tight compartments. A ship a half-inch iron plates covering the 175 eight shots while absorbing upwards without water tight compartments foot length of the ship's battery. Below of 50 shots without damage. The seven would automatically sink the instant that the primary annor belt, a three inch iron accompanying monitors and any part of its hull was breached. Today, belt extended the length of the ship. experimental ironclad Keokuk took this technology is standard aboard all To prevent damage from raking shots, severe damage. In fairness to the warships and civilian merchant marine the forward and after ends of gun and monitors, however, New Ironsides vessels. New Ironsides was able to berth decks were protected by two and a suffered little damage not only because remain on station for seven more months half inch armored bulkheads. This of its armor, but also because of blind after David attack. created an annored box around the gun luck. During the bombardment it had After a year's refitting, New Ironsides battery and berth deck. Each crosswise anchored itself over a 2,000 pound boiler returned to service to participate in the bulkhead was fitted with two four-inch mine which did not go off as someone two assaults on Fort Fisher which thick iron doors on rollers operated by had cut the triggering wire. guarded the entrances to Wilirnington, handwheels working a rack and pinion. During the second attack on N.C. The ironclad supported the Union The spar deck was covered by one Charleston forts under Adm. Dahlgren, Army's attempts to take the fortress by inch plate. During the attacks on the New Ironsides rate offrre was far greater delivering shore bombardment with Charleston forts, its decks were covered than the monitors. Over one three hour deadly accuracy. In contrastto Galena, with sandbags to provide additional period, it was able to fire an !l-inch shot Adm. Porter had great praise for New protection from plunging shot and shells. about every three minutes for three Ironsides, especially after the Union The unannored sections of the ship were successive hours. During an entire 17 forces fmally captured Fort Fisher. "Not reinforced with eight or nine feet of wetted sandbags from the deck to the ceiling frames. The pilot house was protected by 10-inch laminated plates. The main battery consisted of 14 !l­ inch smoothbore cannons, two 150-pdr and two 50-pdr rifled guns all installed on the gun deck. This provided a broadside throw-weight of nearly 2,000 pounds. Although the throw-weight was not as great as some ofthe larger wooden frigates, New Ironsides could fend off explosive shells.

New Ironsides was propelled by four While USS Monitor and its sister vessels were grabbing the newspaper headlines, USS New boilers supplying steam to two direct Ironsides was quietly gaining a reputation for being a better vessel in terms offirep ower and acting engines turning a 13-foot brass protection. This ship had 16 to 18 guns as opposed to two, sloping armor and a higher . four-bladed propeller. Initially fitted It was a major factor in the eventual suppression of the Confederate forts around Charleston, S.C. and the "Confederate Goliath " known as Ft. Fisher. (Sept. 6, 1862 Harper's Weekly engraving) out as a bark, its masts were removed and signaling poles substituted most of day period between July 18 and withstanding (the soldiers' ) gallantry, its career. It carried a crew of 460 men. September 8, 1863, it frred 4,439 rounds they could not have passed from traverse Because New Ironsides was at the forts with devastating effect on to traverse withoutthe aid of your guns," expected to be sluggish in handling, an Fort Sumter and Fort Wagner. Porter wrote. experimental two section articulated Unable to sink New Ironsides by Decommissioned in April 1865, rudder was installed. However it did conventional means, the Confederates New Ironsides was destroyed by an not help as New Ironsides remained decided to use a semi-submersible accidental fire in December 1866 while unhandy and slow making a best speed boat, called David, to deal with laid up in Philadelphia. of six and a half knots under sail and the formidable ironclad. Armed with Whether or not these three vessels • steam. Under steam alone, its best a spar torpedo, David rammed New had an immediate impact on the speed was a little under six knots. Ironsides on its starboard quarter about outcome of the Civil War is not so Charleston, S.C. was the ironclad's six feet below the waterline. The important as the valuable lessons first big test. In Rear Adm. Dupont's explosion raised a large column of learned to future ship construction and first attack on Charleston on April 7, water and shook New Ironsides but naval doctrine. Along with the 1863, New Ironsides due to handling caused only a small leak in the hull. ironclads of the Battle of Hampton difficulties during the ebbing tide could New Ironsides suffered little damage Roads, these three Hampton Roads­ be not brought close enough to Fort thanks in large part to its armor and to based vessels provided lessons for the Sumter and Fort Moultrie for its guns a relatively new technology known as direction and future of naval warfare . ~

7 The Man Who Lost Gosport Commodore McCauley and the burning of the Gosport Shipyard by Joe Mosier the early weeks of April 1861, instructed McCauley that "in view ommodore Charles Stewart of the peculiar condition of the EcCauley, USN, faced troubling country" the Merrimack, fairly and uncertain circumstances. The 68- new but with its engines in need year old commandant of the Gosport of repair, was to be prepared for Navy Yard had served his country well transfer to Philadelphia. While since being commissioned 52 years telling McCauley to "exercise earlier. your own judgment'' in protecting Son of a Philadelphia coopersmith, shipping and stores, the secretary McCauley had received his included a simultaneous desire midshipman's warrant in January 1809 that there be "no steps through the influence of his uncle and taken to give needless alarm" to namesake Capt. Charles Stewart. He had the local residents. Similar served under his uncle onboard the frigate communications followed almost Constellation and participated in the daily with the same theme - take Battle of Craney Island during the War all precautions but do not inflame of 1812. After that conflict, he had risen the public. This duality of methodically within the U.S. Navy, instructions constantly repeated gaining a reputation for tact and by Welles created an ambiguity steadiness. During the Mexican War, he that McCauley proved incapable had served as Commandant of the of resolving. At the outbreak of war in 1861, Commodore Charles . There he came The conflicting loyalties of McCauley already had served more than 50 distinguished to know the civilian head of the Bureau some naval officers at the yard years in the U.S. Navy. Congress forever destroyed his . reputation for calm, competent leadership when they made of Provisions and Clothing, Gideon was another source of confusion him the scapegoat for the failures at Gosport. (U.S. Navy Welles. Within the last ten years, for McCauley. Many were photo provided by ) McCauley had twice been senior officer Virginia natives like Norfolk-born Cmdr. work should not create a "sensation." on the spot when war had seemed John Randolph Tucker, in command of Arriving April 14, Isherwood imminent. OffPeru in 1852 and in Cuban , the receiving ship at irnmediatelycontactedDanbyandbegan waters in 1855, he had successfully Gosport. Most in this position were a survey of Merrimack' s condition. defused the situation. Now, however, the honorable men determined to do their Although he found her engines "in a potential enemies were his own duty until formally relieved. The officers, wretched state," Isherwood quickly hired countrymen. In the face of seemingly however, had heard from their neighbors workmen and began an around-the-clock irreconcilable sectional differences, eight in Norfolk and Portsmouth excited talk attempt to repair it. By extraordinary states had already left the Union and rumors of war. Although effort, he was able to report by the following Lincoln's election. Virginia condemned after the fact as "traitors in afternoon of April 16 that the ship was had voted against secession in February, disguise," those who would later resign ready to sail. McCauley decided the next but the political climate remained appear to have been motivated more by morning would be soon enough. volatile. an honest desire to avoid bloodshed. Secretary Welles still felt uneasy after , recently appointed as Their course of caution reinforced the departure of Isherwood. He ordered Secretary of the Navy, worried about the McCauley's methodical nature. Commodore Hiram Paulding to Norfolk vulnerability of the nation's most On the advice of Chief Engineer with a letter for McCauley. Additionally, important navy yard. Besides its Robert Danby, McCauley wrote he gave Paulding verbal orders thatifhe invaluable workshops and dry dock, Washington that it would take a month haddoubtsaboutthesituationattheNavy • Gosport housed II warships of which to repair Merrimack. This contradicted Yard, he was to act for Welles to ensure four could be quickly readied for sea: the the opinion ofChiefEngineer Benjamin its safety. Paulding spent only one day steam frigate USS Merrimack, of Isherwood who told the secretary only a in Norfolk returning to Washington on war USS Germantown and Plymouth, week would be required. Perplexed, April 18. He told the Secretary that and the brig USS Dolphin. Recently Welles ordered Isherwood to Norfolk on McCauley was loyal and had the situation arrived was the frigate USS Cumberland, April 12 to resolve the problem. Again under control. He also reported that scheduled to be flagship for the Home the Secretary coupled a demand for while, some Virginian officers wanted to Squadron. On April 10, Welles speedy action with the caution that the Gosport continued on page 9

8 Wings Over the Bay

lecture series with The Virginia Association of Museums Amy Waters Yarsinske needs continues volunteers for its March 25-The History of AIRLANT­ 1996 annual conference T o be held at Norfolk Live at noon. A tour of USS America (CV-66) will follow. Sunday, March 17 thru Tuesday, March 19 at the April I 1-Naval Aviation Today-To be held at the NAS Oceana officer's club Omni Waterside Hotel, Norfolk at 6:30pm. Call Edward Lane at 444-8971 for more information Gosport continued from page 8 be relieved, he felt they would act loyally until they could be replaced. On April 15, President Lincoln had issued a call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion. In response, Virginia voted on April17 to secede from the Union. The next day, Governor John Letcher ordered Maj. Gen. William B. Taliaferro of the Virginia Provisional Army to take command of state forces in the Norfolk area and seize the yard. His forces only consisted of about 650 men The Gosport Shipyard as it looked when the Federals put it to the torch. The Navy lost several ships including the famous frigate United States (far left), the frigate Merrimack (back, center) in the Norfolk Blues and the Portsmouth and the I20-gun Pennsylvania (far right). The Navy also gave away over I, I 00 guns and one of Grays outfits. Simultaneously, Capt. the wor/d'sfinest drydocks. (Sept. 4, I86I Harper's Weekly engraving) Robert B. Pegram of the Virginia State quickly signed on a short-handed crew. attacks, Welles was moved to immediate Navy was directed to assume command They strenuously urged McCauley to let action. He directed Capt. John A. of the naval station next to the yard and the ship depart with Germantown in tow. Dahlgren, Commandant of the "to do and perform whatever may be Welles' letter delivered by Paulding, Washington Navy Yard, to forward necessary to preserve and protect the however, contained a fatal escape clause. sufficient combustibles and other property ofthe commonwealth and ofthe Welles warned that "perhaps" it might equipment necessary to destroy all citizens of Virginia." be better not to move the ship unless property at Norfolk. Commodore After secession, William Mahone, danger was actually imminent. Navy Paulding was ordered to return to Gosport president of the Norfolk and Petersburg Yard staff officers argued that moving in Pawnee to command a relief Railroad, decided to act on his own. He the ship would actually precipitate the expedition. To buttress the 470 sailors hired tugs to tow two old light-boats to danger they sought to avoid. and marines defending the yard, a the entrance ofthe Elizabeth River where Accordingly, McCauley ordered the frres regiment of militia was they would be sunk as block ships. In a on Merrimack drawn. Isherwood in ordered there from . ruse de guerre, he had his trains shuttle disgust demanded endorsement of his Welles, perhaps fearing interception of the same troops in and out of town. orders and immediately left for such a volatile message, made the Hiding on the way out, they would cheer Washington. mistake of failing to inform McCauley • loudly on their return, successfully Isherwood's report to Secretary by telegraph of this impending support. creating the impression that more and Welles flatly contradicted that of Gen. Taliaferro, even with the more troops were arriving hourly. Local Paulding. He complained of indecision, arrival of troops from Richmond and militia seized the 2,800 barrels of hesitation and disloyalty on the part of Petersburg, felt he had insufficient force gunpowder stored at Fort Norfolk. senior officers at the yard. Moreover, he to directly attack Gosport. Capt. Pegram Seeing the rapid deterioration of the directly accused McCauley of estimated that at least 5,000 m~n would situation, Isherwood and Cmdr. James drunkenness and senility. Although be required. While his troop strength was Alden (ordered to take over Merrimack) Alden and Paulding disputed the personal Gosport continued on page 11

9 ~dflu~~~E Editor's Note: The Hampton Roads Naval Museum proudly presents installment number three of "The Museum Sage. " As always, ifyou have a question write to the Editor ofThe Day Book do Hampton Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive Suite 248, Noifolk, VA 23510-1607 or call (804) 444-8971. We have a winner! The editor of The Daybook has 1957 authorizing the flag and its design When are the docents going to received a credible answer to last for the Department of the Navy. It get a coordinator?!? issue's "Sage Stumper" question. The reads: "On a circular background of fair Be of good cheer and fear not question was about a clock with only sky and moderate sea with land in docents as the museum has hired 10 numbers on top of the sinister bases, a three-masted square­ Edward Lane of Culpeper, Va. as the USS Wyoming(BB-32/AG-!7). Bruce rigged ship underway before a fair museum's new volunteer coordinator. Heimer of Portsmouth, Va. discovered breeze with after topsail furled, He is pictured below . .lib- that the clock is called a concentration commission pennant atop the foremast, dial. Specifically, there are two hands national ensign atop the main and the on the clock, one for thousands of yards commodore's flag atop the mizzen." and one for hundreds of yards. Mr. Every commissioned ship carries a Heimer found the answer in the Naval commission pennant. This pennant has Institute's book about the battleship been on warships for several hundred USS Arizona (88-36). For his efforts, years. According to legend, the he receives the Executive Director of commission pennant gets its shape the Hampton Roads Naval Historical from a long streamer that an English Foundation's sincere appreciation, who admiral hoisted in 1653 to symbolize posed the question in the frrst place, and that he "whipped his adversary from a Hampton Roads Naval Museum the water." Today, the commission coffee mug. pennant is either four or six feet long depending on the size of the ship. The The Navy flag has a ship with national ensign is simply the American three flags, what are they? flag. The commodore's flag is hoisted President Eisenhower signed on the ship where the commodore has Executive Order I 0736 on Oct. 23, placed his command.

The Hampton Roads Protector continued from page 2 Naval Museum ·convoy, not the sinking of U-boats. bill, but we would go to general quarters proudly When my group took over, I placed the just prior to sunset and sunrise, and presents ... two Benson-class destroyers on the port anytime we picked up a contact. On the and starboard bow of the convoy and the 21st, Edison picked up a sonar contact two older destroyers on either flank. The short after noon. We charged the contact 11 )efferson corvette patrolled astern of the convoy. and dropped a pattern of five depth All the escorts patrolled about 4,000 charges, but failed to hit anything. and the yards away from the convoy. During Toward reported a HF/DF signal and Lea Dambargo: the evening hours or other periods of ran down the bearing, but did not pick reduced visibility, I ordered the escorts up a contact. After five hours, we Norfolk and to tighten up the screen. The merchant abandoned the search. the Embargo vessels proceeded at eight and half At 0305 the next morning, the night knots, while the escorts steamed on sky was lit up by explosions, as two of • of 1807" their patrolling stations at 12 knots . the convoy's ships were hit. U-boats had Presentation to be given As the escort commander, l was come up astern and picked them off from by HRNM docent feeling a little tense, but confident. the rear. We searched for the subs, but Joseph Mosier After we joined the convoy, I there was no contact and the convoy practically lived on the bridge. For all proceeded. Toward and two ofthe escorts Time: 7 pm, April17 intents and purposes, it was a 24-hour stuck around to pick up survivors. In an Place: Nauticus Living a day job. You felt like a sheep dog attempt to throw the U-boats off our trail, Sea Theatre keeping the wolf away. The crew of I altered the convoy's course at 0530 and Edison operated on a three section watch Protector continued on page 11

10 Gosport continued from page 9 growing with the planned arrival of units of refloating any of them. Paulding were back in operation within weeks. from North Carolina and , rejected McCauley's plan to use the Since the ships were scuttled and then Taliaferro had only four bronze 6-pdr reinforcements "to defend the yard and burned, they were destroyed only down cannons for artillery, no match for the property to the last." Instead the to the waterline. The Confederates raised assembled cannon of Navy ships. The expedition turned its energies to and rebuilt Merrimack as the ironclad sight of rebel gun emplacements being preparing for the complete destruction of Virginia. Of most importance were the dug, however, was the breaking point for the yard. Combustibles were placed in 1,195 heavy guns recovered that, with Commodore McCauley. His attempt to all structures and onboard the scuttled the gunpowder from Fort Norfolk, gave avoid confrontation by moving slowly ships. The drydock was mined with the Confederate Army an instant artillery had obviously failed. The afternoon of 2,000 pounds of powder. Attempts were branch. the 20th, he commenced the destruction made to disable all cannons, although the At the end, Commodore McCauley, of yard property and the scuttling of all modern Dahlgren guns proved resistant. who had turned all supervision of ships, except Cumberland The cranes At 0200, the exhausted men moved destroying the yard over to Paulding, had were cut down and cannon spiked. When aboard Pawnee and Cumberland, been reluctant to leave. His youngest son this destruction commenced, those except for parties charged with reported anxiously to Paulding that his workmen and officers with Southern commencing the destruction, and the father refused to vacate his office. Only loyalties who had not already resigned, ships moved out into the river. strenuous argument by Cmdr. Alden deserted the yard. As night fell, Paulding ordered a signal rocket to be finally convinced him back aboard McCauley prepared to go aboard fired at 0415, and the torch was applied Pawnee. Cumberland thinking that if the rebels to the yard. Returned to Washington, he faced an did attack the following day, he could The resultant blaze, although atmosphere of vilification that destroyed destroy Norfolk and Portsmouth with its spectacular, proved less effective than the reputation for dependability and battery. the retreating Federal officers had competence he had earned in his fifty Before McCauley could make his way hoped. Citizens of Portsmouth quickly plus years of service. After a Senate aboard, Pawnee arrived with the relief began fighting the frres. The invaluable committee investigation of the loss of expedition. Paulding was shocked to fmd dry dock received only minor damage Gosport, the Navy quietly retired that the ships he had planned to save as the fuze train failed to work. The McCauley on Dec. 21 , 1861. Charles already rested on the bottom of the two large ship houses were burned to Stewart McCauley died on May 21 , Elizabeth River. A quick survey of the the ground. Many of the workshops, 1869. He went to his grave remembered scuttled revealed the lessness however were only and as "the man who lost Norfolk ." ~ reported that it may have been damaged. After dark, the wolf pack closed. Edison picked up a sonar contact. The lookout saw a U-boat in the moonlight, but was unable to get a shot off before it submerged. Edison dropped six more depth charges, but once again, no hits. At 0205 on the 25th, one of my lookouts aboard Edison spotted a sub 200 yards out on the beam. Before we could turn to ram or shoot, it submerged. That Protector continued from page I 0 afternoon, fog rolled in. Bernardou ran at2130. disperse or make a drastic evasive course down an HF/DF signal. It dropped a Things were pretty calm until the night change. I received permission for a depth charged pattern until it lost its of the 24th when the convoy was hit by radical course change. contact. Shortly after the 26th, we five or six U-boats. I had the destroyers That afternoon, Toward had another entered Canadian coastal waters and fire illumination rounds to light up the HF/DF signal. One of the destroyers ran were joined by USCG Spencer. No • area so the guards on the merchant down the bearing and found two U­ further incidents occurred and the ships could fire. Before this attack was boats on the surface. It attacked and remainder of the convoy reached over, two more ships had been sunk and forced them down until dark. A second Halifax. Once the convoy arrived in two damaged. HF/DF signal was picked up and I sent Halifax, we returned to Boston for repairs I became a little anxious after this the Lea 20 miles out on the starboard and new orders. _:lb. latest attack and sent a message to the flank where it found a U-boat on the The first person interpretation of Cmdr. Chief of Naval Operations office surface. It attacked and while the U­ Murdaugh is done by HRNM docent Capt Pete requesting that either ·the convoy boat was able to submerge, Lea Watson, USN (Ret).

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