Damn the Torpedoes, Mobile Bay, August 6-8, 2010

[Justin Morris]

Re: Damn the Torpedoes, Mobile Bay, August 6-8, 2010

Planning on the 2012 150th is in the beginning stages. The Gun Deck Boys are also attempting to put a School of the Sailor together for next spring. Will be held possibly at the Columbus Naval Museum. More info to come.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Damn the Torpedoes, Mobile Bay, August 6-8, 2010

It is not too terribly kit heavy.......

SH's accurate naval goods and fair prices notwithstanding.....

An acceptable work naval frock can be sewn by anyone with enough want for one from readily available free online patterns and the right materials ......which can very reasonably obtained at Joann's Fabrics, WalMart etc. Same goes for the undershirt.

For the flat hat you need a yard or so of jean or blue wool flannel from Danny Wambaugh.

To get started national trousers or CS brown jean trousers will work...the pattern for broadfall naval trouser or button fly with lace up rear yoke and full "bloomed" cut to the ankle is a little more elusive....standard CS trouser patterns can be modified by cutting a full leg in a straight line from hip / inseam >to> hem..this allowed for plenty o' room to climb the rigging in them and engineering a lace yoke in the rear.

Neckerchief is easy and a sea bag too.....all from store purchased materials (Unbleached/dyed, duck, drill, denim, etc).

Here are some issues:

- No captain wants hob nails and heel plates on decks...especially on wood decked "more historic" craft. Plus you WILL B.Y.A. on wet decks with 'em on anyhow..especially fiberglass, steel decks.

- Unless you can pull some super accurate piece of time rabbit out of your hat...each vessel is a compromise in some degree of authenticity / anachronism. Any USCG Captain who will allow you to anchor / drift off shore or in the bay will require modern lighting and radar....my plan to have manned watches all night (like posting pickets) did not assuage these concerns.

- The August 5, 1864 US Navy procession and attack on the Fort(s) and CS Fleet was well planned and timed on a requiste ingoing tide. Irrespective of a favorable tide the Capt's I spoke with and visited are reluctant to be under sail alone in that channel....and when you factor trying to get over the USS Tecumseh to lay wreath / fire a volley, being under modern power is a must..... especially on the anniversary weekend in August at a popular Alabama boating spot. Google Earth the mouth of the bay at Bon Secours (site of CSS Tennessee attack and surrender) and you will see the further hazards to navigation by the restrictive shoaling / sandbars... a hydro-graphic feature the CS engineers utilized to help funnel the US fleet into their waiting torpedo fields which the USS Tecumseh met her demise to.......Damn the torpedoes !

Good luck...I did some heavy research, amassed some historically representative kit, had lined up some good learnin' on period seamanship, rations square and I sewed my fat fingers off whilst fantasizing about pulling this one off.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

edited to add history stuff:

If one or more of the vessels be disabled, their partners must carry them through, if possible; but if they can not then the next astern must render the required assistance; but as the admiral contemplates moving with the flood tide, it will only require sufficient power to keep the crippled vessels in the channel. General Order of Rear-Admiral Farragut, U. S. Navy.

GENERAL ORDERS,

NO. 10.

U.S. FLAGSHIP Hartford,
Off Mobile Bay, July 12, 1864.

D.G. Farragut,
Rear-Admiral, Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron.