USS Arthur (1855)
Encyclopedia
USS Arthur (1855) was a bark
acquired by the Union Navy
during the American Civil War
. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat
in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate
waterways.
by the Union Navy. Fitted out at the New York Navy Yard, she was commissioned there on 11 December 1861, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John W. Kittredge in command.
, and then proceeded to the coast of Texas
to patrol the waters between Matagorda
and Corpus Christi, Texas
. This was familiar territory for Kittredge, who had spent several years trading along the Texas seaboard before the Civil War. Arthur reached station off Matagorda on the morning of 25 January.
, she sighted a schooner
sailing toward shore. Kittredge called the crew to quarters and sent two cutters in pursuit of the stranger which was attempting to run aground. A shot from the bark brought the quarry to. A boarding party from the cutters took possession of the schooner, which proved to be the Confederate blockade runner
J.J. McNeil. The prize—which had left Veracruz, Mexico
, with a cargo of coffee and tobacco—was sent to Ship Island, Mississippi, and on to New York City
for adjudication.
. About noon on 21 April, Kittredge led an expedition of three boats into Cedar Bayou, Texas
, where they chased the schooner Burkhart which escaped because of her master's knowledge of nearby channels. The next day, they captured three small sloops, but were forced to abandon their prizes—along with two of their own boats—to escape attacks by a numerically superior Confederate force. Kittredge and his party managed to escape without injury.
, purchased from the Key West prize court
, and the screw gunboat
Sachem
. Besides these tenders, General Butler -- a lugger
about which little is known—was also at Kittredge's disposal for operations in the shallow inlets, bays, and bayous found in Arthur's sector.
in Corypheus. Upon approaching, he sighted a "….schooner apparently lying on her beam ends...." He then armed the second cutter and ran down through the reefs to her.
Upon seeing the approaching Union ship, the schooner's crew righted their vessel—which they had careened for caulking—and cast adrift a cotton-laden, flat-bottomed barge which had been moored to a nearby wharf while the schooner was being prepared for an attempt to run the blockade. The schooner began leaking rapidly the moment she was again upright, and was soon swamped.
Kittredge returned to Corypheus, and got underway ". . . in pursuit of a schooner that had just passed to the southward . . . ." He soon found his quarry, the schooner named Reindeer
, at anchor, captured by General Butler.
. A few days later, she reentered the gulf where Kittredge returned to Arthur.
Arthur took the armed schooner Breaker
at Aransas on 12 August and, on that same day at Corpus Christi, Texas
, forced the Confederates to burn the armed schooner Elma and sloop Hannah to prevent their capture. On the 15th, she added to her list of victims the steamer A. B. (sometimes spelled A. Bee) which had run aground in the narrow and shallow channel that leads to Nueces Bay near Corpus Christi. After several unsuccessful efforts to refloat that prize, Kittredge put the torch to her.
Finally, shortly after dawn on 24 August, the yacht Corypheus -- still working under the direction of Kittredge—captured Water Witch
of Jamaica
as that schooner attempted to enter Aransas Bay
with a cargo including a large quantity of gunpowder
.
asked Kittredge to attempt to arrange the release of the family of Judge Edmund Jackson Davis, a prominent political leader in Texas
who had remained loyal to the Union and had left his home to serve the Federal cause. On 12 September, Kittredge proceeded under a flag of truce to Corpus Christi where the Confederate commanding officer there refused to allow Mrs. Davis to leave Texas, but promised to refer the matter to the Confederate commander in Texas. While awaiting the commander’s decision, Kittredge proceeded to Flour Bluffs.
for more detail on Kittredge’s activities during this period of time.
Barque
A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts.- History of the term :The word barque appears to have come from the Greek word baris, a term for an Egyptian boat. This entered Latin as barca, which gave rise to the Italian barca, Spanish barco, and the French barge and...
acquired by the Union Navy
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
waterways.
Arthur commissioned in New York City
On 1 August 1861, Arthur -- a bark built at Amesburg, Massachusetts, in 1855—was purchased at New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
by the Union Navy. Fitted out at the New York Navy Yard, she was commissioned there on 11 December 1861, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant John W. Kittredge in command.
Assigned to the Gulf Blockading Squadron
Arthur sailed south on Christmas Eve, 1861, joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron at Key West, FloridaKey West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, and then proceeded to the coast of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to patrol the waters between Matagorda
Matagorda
Matagorda may refer to:Geography*Matagorda Bay, on the coast of Texas*Matagorda County, Texas*Matagorda Independent School District in Matagorda County, Texas*Matagorda Island, a barrier island on the coast of Texas...
and Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
. This was familiar territory for Kittredge, who had spent several years trading along the Texas seaboard before the Civil War. Arthur reached station off Matagorda on the morning of 25 January.
Arthur captures blockade runner J. J. McNeil
Later that day, some 17 miles northeast of the bar at Pass CavalloPass Cavallo (Texas)
Pass Cavallo, alternately known as Cavallo Pass, is one of five natural water inlets which separate the Gulf of Mexico and Matagorda Bay, in the U.S. state of Texas. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle came ashore in Texas at this point. Matagorda Island Lighthouse was originally built on...
, she sighted a schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
sailing toward shore. Kittredge called the crew to quarters and sent two cutters in pursuit of the stranger which was attempting to run aground. A shot from the bark brought the quarry to. A boarding party from the cutters took possession of the schooner, which proved to be the Confederate blockade runner
Blockade runner
A blockade runner is usually a lighter weight ship used for evading a naval blockade of a port or strait, as opposed to confronting the blockaders to break the blockade. Very often blockade running is done in order to transport cargo, for example to bring food or arms to a blockaded city...
J.J. McNeil. The prize—which had left Veracruz, Mexico
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, with a cargo of coffee and tobacco—was sent to Ship Island, Mississippi, and on to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for adjudication.
Failed expedition into the Cedar Bayou
On 13 February, the brig exchanged fire with a cavalry troop on shore near Aransas, TexasPort Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas. The population was 3,370 at the 2000 census.-Early history:Karankawa Indians played a key role in the early development of the Texas Gulf Coast. The Karankawa Indians inhabited the Gulf Coast of Texas from Galveston Bay all the way to Corpus Christi Bay...
. About noon on 21 April, Kittredge led an expedition of three boats into Cedar Bayou, Texas
Cedar Bayou, Texas
Cedar Bayou is an area in east central Harris County, Texas, United States.Some of the area is unincorporated; portions are within Baytown.-Watershed character and water quality:...
, where they chased the schooner Burkhart which escaped because of her master's knowledge of nearby channels. The next day, they captured three small sloops, but were forced to abandon their prizes—along with two of their own boats—to escape attacks by a numerically superior Confederate force. Kittredge and his party managed to escape without injury.
Spring 1862 operations
During the spring of 1862, Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut, the squadron commander, reinforced Kittredge with the yacht CorypheusUSS Corypheus (1862)
USS Corypheus was a schooner captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.Corypheus was used by the Union Navy primarily as a gunboat to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy in order to prevent the South from trading with other countries...
, purchased from the Key West prize court
Prize court
A prize court is a court authorized to consider whether or not a ship has been lawfully captured or seized in time of war or under the terms of the seizing ship's letters of marque and reprisal...
, and the screw gunboat
Gunboat
A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...
Sachem
USS Sachem (1861)
The second Navy vessel to bear the name Sachem, this screw steamer was built in 1844 at New York City, where it was purchased by the Navy on September 20, 1861.-Battle of Hampton Roads:...
. Besides these tenders, General Butler -- a lugger
Lugger
A lugger is a class of boats, widely used as traditional fishing boats, particularly off the coasts of France, Scotland and England. It is a small sailing vessel with lugsails set on two or more masts and perhaps lug topsails.-Defining the rig:...
about which little is known—was also at Kittredge's disposal for operations in the shallow inlets, bays, and bayous found in Arthur's sector.
Capturing the schooner Reindeer after a chase
On 9 July, Kittredge entered Aransas BayAransas Bay
Aransas Bay is a bay on the Texas gulf coast, approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, and south of San Antonio. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by San José Island . Aransas Pass is the most direct navigable outlet into the Gulf of Mexico from the bay...
in Corypheus. Upon approaching, he sighted a "….schooner apparently lying on her beam ends...." He then armed the second cutter and ran down through the reefs to her.
Upon seeing the approaching Union ship, the schooner's crew righted their vessel—which they had careened for caulking—and cast adrift a cotton-laden, flat-bottomed barge which had been moored to a nearby wharf while the schooner was being prepared for an attempt to run the blockade. The schooner began leaking rapidly the moment she was again upright, and was soon swamped.
Kittredge returned to Corypheus, and got underway ". . . in pursuit of a schooner that had just passed to the southward . . . ." He soon found his quarry, the schooner named Reindeer
USS Reindeer (1863)
USS Reindeer was a steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat assigned to patrol Confederate waterways. Post-war she was converted into a dispatch vessel and served that function until finally decommissioned.-Built in Cincinnati in...
, at anchor, captured by General Butler.
Capturing additional Southern vessels while in the Gulf Squadron
On 10 July, Corypheus captured the 9-ton sloop Belle ItaliaUSS Belle Italia (1862)
USS Belle Italia was a sloop captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.-Capture:...
. A few days later, she reentered the gulf where Kittredge returned to Arthur.
Arthur took the armed schooner Breaker
USS Breaker (1862)
USS Breaker was a schooner captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways....
at Aransas on 12 August and, on that same day at Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
, forced the Confederates to burn the armed schooner Elma and sloop Hannah to prevent their capture. On the 15th, she added to her list of victims the steamer A. B. (sometimes spelled A. Bee) which had run aground in the narrow and shallow channel that leads to Nueces Bay near Corpus Christi. After several unsuccessful efforts to refloat that prize, Kittredge put the torch to her.
Finally, shortly after dawn on 24 August, the yacht Corypheus -- still working under the direction of Kittredge—captured Water Witch
USS Water Witch (1851)
The third USS Water Witch was a wooden-hulled, sidewheel gunboat in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She is best known as the ship fired on by Paraguay in 1855...
of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
as that schooner attempted to enter Aransas Bay
Aransas Bay
Aransas Bay is a bay on the Texas gulf coast, approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, and south of San Antonio. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by San José Island . Aransas Pass is the most direct navigable outlet into the Gulf of Mexico from the bay...
with a cargo including a large quantity of gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
.
Attempting to negotiate the release of Judge Edmund Jackson Davis' family
Early in September, David FarragutDavid Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
asked Kittredge to attempt to arrange the release of the family of Judge Edmund Jackson Davis, a prominent political leader in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
who had remained loyal to the Union and had left his home to serve the Federal cause. On 12 September, Kittredge proceeded under a flag of truce to Corpus Christi where the Confederate commanding officer there refused to allow Mrs. Davis to leave Texas, but promised to refer the matter to the Confederate commander in Texas. While awaiting the commander’s decision, Kittredge proceeded to Flour Bluffs.
Kittredge and his landing party captured by the Confederates
The next morning, Kittredge’s ships joined in the shelling of several small vessels that escaped into the shallow waters of Laguna de la Madre where the Union ships could not follow. Kittredge landed a small reconnaissance party and took three prisoners before returning to Corypheus. The following morning, Kittredge again went ashore where he and his party of seven men were captured by a large group of Southern soldiers. Because of fear of harming Kittredge (who would ultimately be dismissed from the service a year later) and his men, Kittredge’s ships were unable to fire on the enemy ashore.Final Civil War operations
The Navy record for Arthur is incomplete at this point. Her final operations are not known at this time.Note
See USS Belle Italia (1862)USS Belle Italia (1862)
USS Belle Italia was a sloop captured by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.-Capture:...
for more detail on Kittredge’s activities during this period of time.