United States or Guam ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Meanwhile, on the 18th of March, Weitzel learned of the presence of the Queen of the West and Webb in the Atchafalaya, and as this seemed to indicate an intention to attack him, and the navy had no more light-draught gunboats to spare for his further security, to avoid having his hand forced and the game spoiled, he discreetly fell back on the 21st to the railway bridge over Bayou Boeuf, and took up a position where he was not exposed, as at Brashear, to the risk of being cut off by any sudden movement of the enemy.
This here last one was called the Grace a Dios, she were a very fine new ship of a hunderd and fifty ton and we kept 'em both because, bein' light-draught ships, the admiral knowed they'd be useful for goin' in over bar on the Coast, where the mouths of the rivers be always shallow.
The hull usually resembles that of a light-draught yacht, with either a drop-keel or lee-boards, so that shallow creeks may be readily entered. In rig they are semi-Chinese, the shape of the sail being that of the ordinary balanced lug, which bamboo reefing battens with a sheet-line leading from the extremity of each to the main-sheet render extremely handy and safe.
At the time they rendered such good service in the conquest of Forts Henry and Donelson, and compelled the fall of Island No. 10, they were still unpaid for, and the private property of Mr. Eads. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Eads, in accordance with the desire of the Navy Department, submitted plans for light-draught armored vessels for service on the western rivers.
The runner had reached the harbor safely; but there in channel lay a blockader in such a position that any ship coming in must pass within a hundred feet of her. The Confederate had a light-draught vessel, and tried to squeeze through.
"How long will it take them, think you, to capture the town? Help can come down from Cairo in a week." "I think that the French will lose but little time, sheik. So long as the town holds out, the fleet might be attacked by Nelson, should he come back this way, while as soon as they have captured the town all the light-draught vessels would find shelter in the harbour.
Cairo was the meeting place of commerce between the North and the South. Out of the upper rivers came light-draught steamers. Plying the river below were steamers of far different construction by reason of the easier conditions of navigation there.
Hence the harbors in which very large vessels can manoeuvre are few, and there must be a light-draught class of vessels to encounter enemies of light draught, although they cannot be expected to cope very successfully with fast and heavy vessels.
It did not turn out to be so, and the only relief we got was by way of Chattanooga, where light-draught steamboats added something to the facilities for supply. As his own most pressing needs were relieved, General Thomas sent the steamboat "Lookout" with a small cargo of shoes and clothing to Loudon.
Grant at Knoxville Comes to Strawberry Plains A gathering at Parke's quarters Grant's quiet manner No conversational discussion Contrast with Sherman Talk of cadet days Grant's riding-school story No council of war Qualities of his dispatches Returns by Cumberland Gap Longstreet's situation Destitution of both armies Railroad repairs and improved service Light-draught steamboats Bridges Cattle herds on the way Results of Grant's inspection tour Foster's movement to Dandridge on the French Broad Sheridan His qualities August Willich Hazen His disagreement with Sheridan Its causes and consequences Combat at Dandridge A mutual surprise Sheridan's bridge An amusing blunder A consultation in Dandridge Sturgis's toddy Retreat to Strawberry Plains A hard night march A rough day An uncomfortable bivouac Concentration toward Knoxville Rumors of reinforcement of Longstreet Expectation of another siege The rumors untrue.
Word Of The Day