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Civil War History
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The USS Tahoma was a wooden, screw driven, 4th rated, gun
boat. Built in 1861 by W.& A. Thatcher, she was launched on October 2,
1861, and Commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She was assigned to the
Eastern Gulf Blockade Squadron, and remained with this force throughout the
Civil War.
On April 26, 1862, while patrolling east of Sea Horse Key, Florida, the Tahoma
chased a schooner. Her quarry was soon run aground and destroyed.
Two months later, the Tahoma raided St. Marks, Florida. Thirty sailors and 3
Marines went ashore and burned a barracks and destroyed a battery of cannon. She
then returned to open sea unscathed.
On July 7, 1862, while patrolling off the Yucatan Peninsula, the
Tahoma captured the blockade runner Uncle Mose. The Uncle Mose,
a schooner, had sailed unawares right up to where the Tahoma was at
anchor and anchored next to the Federal ship. Lt. Commander Howell later
reported that the Confederate Commander of the schooner was astonished "at
finding a (Federal) Man-of War where we were anchored." The schooner was
taken as a prize.
After patrol duties in the late summer and fall of 1862, the Tahoma helped to
destroy three Confederate salt works on Sea Horse Key. On the morning of October
6, 1862, the USS Tahoma and the USS Somersett, lay off the key. Sending ashore a
bombardment of shell, shrapnel (case shot) and canister, fired from the
howitzers mounted on two of six small boats sent ashore, from the two Federal
ships, 111 sailors and 80 Marines scattered some 20 to 30 Confederate guerrillas
garrisoned at the salt works. The sailors and Marines quickly landed and
deployed to cover the small boats. The two 12 pound howitzers and four
additional swivel guns were transferred to field
carriages and moved inland. Working parties then set about destroying 28 boilers
used in the manufacturing of salt, and burning all the buildings in the
vicinity. It must be remembered the importance of salt to the war effort. It was
used to preserve meats and other food stuffs as well as used in the manufacture
of gun powder. As Howell subsequently reported to the Navy department, "
The expedition was entirely successful and no confusion was exhibited on
landing, no useless expenditure of ammunition, and no one hurt."
During the first six months in 1863, while operating along the Florida Coast,
the Tahoma captured no less than seven blockade-runners. These included the
Silas Henry, the British Schooner Margaret, the schooner Crazy Jane, the
schooner Statesman, and the British
blockade-runner the Harrington. The Mary Jane was also destroyed the same day as
the capture of the Harrington at Clearwater, Florida.
Soon after, on April 2, 1863, the Tahoma engaged a Confederate shore battery at
Quadsden Point.
On October 17, 1863, along with the Adela, the Tahoma landed an expeditionary
force of sailors and Marines at Tampa, Florida. This time, the force was made up
of only 80 sailors, and 23 Marines. They had 2, 12 pound howitzers, and again, 4
boat swivel guns, all on carriages. There, they burned the steamer Scottish
Chief as well as the sloop Kate Dale.
Operating out of Key West on February 17, 1863, The Tahoma made two daring raids
against Confederate salt works, both near St. Marks, Florida. Landing as two
detachments, of again sailors and Marines, the force marched seven miles inland
to destroy salt works. Ten days later, this same force again went ashore 17
miles to destroy even more distant salt works. Located near
Goose Creek, Florida, the landing party eluded Confederate Cavalry and was able
to bring back a dozen prisoners, including a Captain of Infantry.
In the following summer, July 23, 1863, the Tahoma steamed north for repairs.
She was decommissioned at the Navy Yards in New York, NY. She was completely
overhauled, recommissioned on April 13, 1865, and returned to active duty off
the East cost until decommissioned a little over three month later
on July 27, 1865.
The ship was recommissioned in 1866, and again serves on active duty, this time
with the Gulf Squadron until the summer of 1867. She was decommissioned for the
last time on August 27, 1867, and was sold on October 7, 1867, at the Navy yard
in New York, NY.
Ship Information:
Tonnage: 691 tons displacement, 507 ton burden ( old measurement)
Dimensions: 158’ at water line, 28’ beam, 9.6’ draft.
Machinery: I screw, 2 horizontal back acting engine, 2,30’x1’ pistons.
Compliment: 111 sailors, 3 Marines.
Armament: 1862 total; 1#10" smoothbore gun., 1#20 lb. rifle, 4# 24 lb.
howitzers, in July 1863 1# 10" Smoothbore gun was replaced by 1# 150 lb.
rifle, and 4, 1 lb. boat swivel guns were added
Mission Statement.
The USS Tahoma’s gun crew is a Union Naval unit which will portray a gun crew
from 1863 Naval sea and land force of the Eastern Blockade Squadron. The Unit
will be part of a landing force of Naval Infantry and Artillery support crews.
It will be a ships gun crew placed under the command of the US Army commander.
The unit will emphasize light marching order, proper clothing and extensive ship
drill, as well as gunnery drill on a ship. Members of the crew are encouraged to
take the name of a sailors or marines from actual ship’s records, and become
that persona The ship is to be placed with the Flotilla Fleet for further action
with the USS Hartford and The USS Harriet Lane. They are to be ready to man
their gun and take part in actions as directed by the fleet Flag Ship, The USS
Hartford Gun Crew.
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History of the CSS Bat.
The Bat was one of the ships that saw more
service as a Federal ship, than as a Confederate ship. The Bat’s keel was laid
on June 21, 1864. She was built by Jones Quiggin (Walt). From her register as a
British ship, it appears that she was sold to the Confederacy some time in 1864.
She was rigged as a schooner but was also a side wheeler.
Information:
Tonnage: 771 Tons burden (old measurement)
Hull: steel.
Dimensions: 250 ft. overall ,230’x 26’x7,6’ at the water line.
Machinery: 2 vertical oscillating engines, with 2’x54’ boilers.( 2
stacks/funnels)
Horse Power: 180
Top speed: 16 knots.
Rigging: schooner.
Armament: 2, 3 pound guns.
Compliment: 58
On October, 10, 1864, the Bat was captured in the Cape Fear River near
Wilmington, North Carolina on her first voyage. She was recommissioned as the
USS Bat on December 12. 1864, with a compliment of 82. Her armament was changed
to a 30 pound rifle and 2, 12 pound smooth bore guns. She went on to serve in
the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron for a short time in 1865. She was then
decommissioned on May 17, 1865, and sold to the public on October 25,
1865. She was renames the Teazer in 1865, renamed, again under British registry,
as the Miramichi in 1872. In 1902, she was broken up sold as scrap.
The CSS Bat was captured by The USS Montgomery. This ship was a large screw
driven steamer (gun boat) It was 3rd & 4th rated, part of the East-West Gulf
blockade Squadron and also the North Atlantic Blockade squadron. She had
engagements with the CSS Tallahassee, CSS Florida, CSS Palmetto, and the CSS
Tacony. She took many prices.
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