Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 23, 1861 – Naval Engagement – Gallant and Daring Chase of a Federal Steamer

On Sunday evening, about 7 o’clock, while the Confederate steamer Empire was engaged in reconnoitering the enemy’s works at Newport News, Captain Parrish discovered the Federal steamer Cataline, some distance off and under headway for Old Point. Chase was immediately given, and when within a few miles of Hampton Creek, the Empire fired two shots, one of which is believed to have taken effect on the Cataline and but for the proximity of the Cumberland frigate, which promptly opened her battery to stop the chase, the Cataline would in all probability have fallen into our hands.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History

No Sign of Missing Submarine “A 7” Which Sank of England

HMS A7

Plymouth. Eng., Jan. 18—A dozen torpedo boat destroyers and minesweepers plied up and down Whitesand bay from early morning today until darkness set in, but failed to locate the submarine “A-7” which sank during maneuvers Friday.

Plymouth, Eng., Jan. 18.—An all-day search by a fleet of torpedo boats, to which were attached cables to sweep the bottom of Whitesand bay, failed to locate the sunken British submarine A-7. When darkness fell Saturday the commanding officers reluctantly ordered the vessels to return to their moorings.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History

Lack Air Pressure Cause of Blast on U.S.S. Mississippi

USS Mississippi (c. 1918-1919)

San Pedro, Calif., June 16.—Evidence given the naval court today pointed at lack of air pressure in the gun mechanism as the cause, or at least one of the causes, explosion aboard the U. S. S. Mississippi, Thursday, when 48 men were killed.

Walter C. Ebell, turret captain of Turret No. 3 of the Mississippi, corroborated the evidence Saturday of Francis Majewski, plug-man in Turret No. 2, when the blast occurred, that the air pressure to clean out the gun barrels between shots and to close the gun breeches was weak.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History Ship Histories

Missing Vessel Safe

Schooner Philippine

SAN PEDRO, Oct. 1.—The four-masted schooner Philippine arrived off the breakwater today. It had been feared lost due to the menace by heavy winds striking the southern California coast last night. Of the 11 aboard, only Captain Nels Nelson is said to be an experienced sailor. When the boat left San Francisco it was rumored possible it was the honeymoon ship for Mrs. Aimee McPherson Hutton and her husband, since the former temple attorney and press agent were aboard, but both she and David Hutton denied this. The boat was due yesterday.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

News From the Ocean and Water Front

Illustration of the Marion and Philippine after the collision

Naval Reserve Steamer Marion and Schooner Philippine in Collision

No Damage Was Done, but the Tugs Governor Markham and Redmond Had to Separate the Vessels

The Naval Reserve steamer Marion and the schooner Philippine met in collision yesterday morning. The Robert Lewers was also in the mix-up, but luckily no harm was done and none of the vessels lost more than a little paint.

The Philippine and Robert Lewers arrived from Hawaii last Tuesday and anchored oft Folsom-street wharf. The Marion came back from a short cruise outside the heads last Sunday and also anchored off the transport wharf. Unfortunately the Naval Reserve boat was anchored In the fairway and Wednesday Captain James was notified by Chief Wharfinger Henderson to move her. Without waiting for the officer of the day to put In an appearance the boatswain attempted to move the ship himself, and all the resulting trouble followed.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

A Kennebecker in Cuba

Among the American Captains In Havana

By Capt. J. H. Drew of Farmingdale.

ON SHIPBOARD

Come with me. The fresh sea breeze is blowing and we will go on board. Our squadron of boats work out among the fleet of vessels, the Marine Band is playing on board the monster “Arapiles” ironclad, and a thousand streamers fill the sky. We are soon on board, our repast is over, and we repair to the clean quarter deck. The awnings are spread, and we seat ourselves as though at home. Soon the sun is gilding the distant hill-tops, showing here and there a tufted palm or grove of orange trees. Some distant convent bell is calling to vespers.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 9, 1861 – The First Charleston Prize

Confederate privateer Savannah
The Confederate States privateer Savannah, letter of marque No. 1, captured off Charleston, by the U. S. brig Perry, Lieut. Parrott.”

We learn on direct and reliable authority that a valuable prize has been secured by the Privateer Savannah, which left this port a few days ago between the bars of the Lincoln blockade.

This prize was the brig Joseph, of Portland, (Me.) from Havana, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of sugar, valued at $30,000, and was taken into Georgetown, South Carolina, in masterly style.

Posted inBiographical Daily News Maritime & Naval History World War 2

D-Day – One Sailor’s Memoir

American troops landing at Omaha Beach, with large obstacles blocking their way.

There were about 150 of us on each of the L.C.I.’s and transported over with L. C. M.’s and rafts in tow—these were all filled with explosive materials. We were given, immediately, our final destination orders and already knew the type of job to be done. On the way over we were frankly told that many of us would be killed—now that was a comforting thought. The price of freedom was going to be expensive. Our particular mortality rate was very assuredly in the 10% range of survival.

We were supposed to arrive at 0330 but must have been later as it was. nearing daylight, and things were quite visible. The others that arrived before were the Rangers and the glider corp. The gliders were engineless planes that were towed over from England and then set free. These “planes” carried combat ready troops but had it very rough as many crashed into the trees and stone walls.