When one thinks of the role of the Navy in the Civil War, it is of the Blockade capturing Confederate blockade runners in the dead of night off the coast. Or as support to the Army in the capture of Vicksburg. But the Navy also played its usual role, that of diplomacy on behalf of the United States government, “showing the flag” around the world. In July 1863, the US had ships in Lisbon, Portugal, Genoa, Italy, Macao and Yokahama, Japan. There was also a large presence in the West Indies. These ships were to support US interests, including keeping an out eye for Confederate ships, especially, the Sumter and Alabama (the Kearsarge would find her off Cherbourg, France in 1864).
The West Indies were a hotbed of rebel ships so several ships were deployed in the Caribbean cruising around looking for them while also calling at the various islands to take the temperature of their governments towards events in the US. Although under the overall command of Acting Rear Admiral Lardner on his flagship Ticonderoga, these ships operated mostly independently of each other. Thus the name, cruisers, regardless of actual type of ship.
Where were the ships at this time — roughly, the Ticonderoga was off Curacao the Juanita was at sea. the San Jacinto somewhere between Cardenas and Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys, the Oneida was off Martinique. While there were other ships in the West Indies Squadron, we shall peek in on these 4 ships.
The Juniata had the most excitement. On July 2nd, she came upon a ship that caused someone on board the Juanita to want a further look. They boarded her and found her tro be the Don Jose headed for Havana. For a supposed English ship things were decidely not in the ordinary course of business. She had no letter of instructions, no course set out and her papers were less than in order. The papers that were mentioned the cargo was bound for the CSA. Ah ha! A little further investigation found she was the former Edna Jones out of Key West. At this point, she became a prize of war and was sent on to Key West with a prize crew aboard. The captain of the Juaniata took pains to note in his official report that “At the time of capture there was no vessel in sight.” This is important because the money awarded for the prize is shared by all vessels involved in her capture, which includes those who sighted her, not just boarded her.
The English apparently protested the seizure of “their” ship as Captain Clitz sent a further report to the Department of the Navy in January of 1864 detailing the events of the day. He was clear no discourtesy towards the English was rendered by anyone. That even before a shot was fired to have the Don Jose come to, the US ensign was raised on her. The US Navy specifically did not take down the English ensign flag.
All in a days work for the Juniata. The Ticonderoga as the flagship was definitely more the diplomatic side of things. The previous commander of the West Indies fleet - Admiral Wilkes — had been relieved of his duties mostly for angering the local governments with which he dealt. The new commander Acting Rear Admiral J.L. Lardner was a much smoother individual.
On July 2 she came to Curacao where at 2 pm she saluted the city with 21 guns which were returned by the Fort. A Dutch ship also saluted the Admiral which the Ticonderoga also returned. The Admiral then did the “usual visits of the Militiary Authorities of the Town.” The US Counsel located there also stopped by the ship for a visit, which ended with him being saluted by the guns.
All was not happy on board though, the deck log notes that a George Collins was “put in double irons for refusing to obey orders.” No mention is made of what orders were not obeyed but it wouldn’t be a day in the Navy without someone being in trouble.
The San Jacinto meanwhile was dealing with their own prize. 10 prisoners came on in the morning But after going to quarters, it was After that, the ship went about her day, until 5:15 when all hands were called to order for reading of the general orders recently issued by the Navy Department. This is the only ship in the squadron that records reading the Orders. Things got exciting overnight when it seemed another prize was spotted. The crew went to general quarters, but nothing struck anyone as suspicious this time so the ship was allowed on its way and the San Jacinto continued on her merry way.
The Oneida had the least excitement of them all on July 2. Pretty normal day, inspections, exercising at small arms by division. That’s it. Not even a record of anyone getting into trouble.
The next day, the Ticonderoga explained what it was doing in Curacao. The hunt for Captain Semmes and his current ship. Captain Ralph Semmes was the rebel captain every US Navy captain wanted to bring in. The rebels had burned one of their own supply ships off Barbados so Admiral Lardner thought to check the old supply locations in hopes of a return. No luck, so they continued on to Curacao.
July 3 was the date of the official visit to the Governor of the Island. It was made without incident with gun salutes being made and returned. Onboard ship was coal replenishment, this took from 5:30 am. to 9 pm bringing on board 143 tons of coal. These ships burned through a lot when sailing, especially if they had to get a head of steam going to chase rebels.
While boring as that sounds, the San Jacinto would have traded it for the excitement she had that day. She had sailed to close to shore. She turned and found herself in blue water only minutes later. After that she kept her distance. After this scare, her company just wanted a quiet day. They got it, inspections, exercising small arms, etc. Until 5 when her captain decided the big guns needed exercise too. The crew was brought to General Quarters and the booms began. After everyone could hear again, the crew must mustered and more reading of General Orders from the Navy Department. This captain really like really his General Orders — and making sure the log book noted he had read them to the crew.
Of course the Oneida wouldn’t go two days without someone being in trouble. This is the Navy. During the Midnight to 4 a.m. watch, 3 men, George Beatty, Robert Kleiss and Nathan Christan were brought back on board after overstaying their liberty. One of them, Nathan Christman was put in double irons for “insolence to the First Lieutenant.” I can just imagine what was said, especially if alcohol was involved (which it probably was - see Navy). Other than that, just plain old day on board ship.
Sources:Deck Log - USS Ticonderoga courtesy of the US National Archives.Deck Log - USS San Jacinto courtesy of the US National Archives.Deck Log - USS Oneida courtesy of the US National Archives.Official Records of the U.S. Navy - Reports of the Cruisers