Vessel Named for Black Civil War Hero

Carrion Letcher ^ | 4-22-04 | ap

[flying Elvis]

Vessel named for black Civil War hero (excerpted)

Army's $25 million ship will help supply troops around the world

The Associated Press

The U.S. Army and VT Halter Marine on Wednesday christened a new supply ship in honor of a black Civil War hero.

The MG Robert Smalls is a logistics support vessel.

It is named in honor of Robert Smalls, who 142 years ago commandeered a Confederate steamer and turned it over to Union sailors blockading Charleston's harbor. It is the first Army vessel named for a Civil War hero and the first to bear the name of a black American.

Great-granddaughter Helen Stinson Greenlee of Pittsburgh smashed a bottle of champagne on the ship's hull during the christening ceremonies.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040422/NEWS01/404220386/1002

[rdb3]

It is named in honor of Robert Smalls, who 142 years ago commandeered a Confederate steamer and turned it over to Union sailors blockading Charleston's harbor. It is the first Army vessel named for a Civil War hero and the first to bear the name of a black American.

Uh oh!

A.K.A. Sleepy Brown

[flying Elvis]

It would make for a pretty exciting movie. Stealing that ship was courageous, getting away with it was even more impressive.

[Poohbah]

Look out for the usual suspects complaining about property absconding with other property and turning it over to some damnyankees...

[John H K]

Yeah, I can't figure out why he'd bother to do it, since the Civil War was ENTIRELY about TARIFFS, as we're constantly told on FR, and I don't see why a black guy would care about supporting the Union position on Tarrifs so much he'd risk his life that way.


(sarcasm off.)

[No Blue States]

""commandeered a Confederate steamer and turned it over to Union sailors"

Well, aint that speshal yall?

Im fixin to ask congress to name the next carrier Robert E Lee. <kidding)

[hchutch]

Could it be that Lew Rockell and the others are either misinformed or LYING?

[Poohbah]

Could it be that Lew Rockell and the others are either misinformed or LYING?

Naw. Slaves were happy, it was all about tariffs, and Abraham Lincoln was the Antichrist. (BTW, the preceding is sarcasm :o)

[Little Ray]

Actually, look for us cheering the recognition of a brave indvidual pursuing his freedom, and who went on to great achievments after the Late Unpleasantness.

[zarf]

Slavery? What was slavery? Lincoln is a murderer..etc..etc..</ sarcasm>

[Ditto]

It has just gotten dark on the evening of May 12, 1862. General Roswell Ripley and the other white confederate officers of the Steamer Planter have just gone ashore to attend a party in Charleston, leaving the black crew alone. This was not unusual except that the crew had planned on these events. Quickly, the black crew's families left their hiding places on other vessels and came aboard the Planter.

Robert Smalls was the quartermaster, or wheelman of the ship. In this capacity he had become knowledgable of all navigation channels in Charleston harbor as well as all the gun and troop positions of the confederate armies guarding the harbor. Smalls and the other slaves quietly got the ship underway and headed for the mouth of the harbor and the blockading Union fleet. Soon they would have to pass under the guns of Fort Sumter. To increase their chances of success, Smalls donned the clothing of Planter's confederate captain. The trick apparently worked because they are not fired upon until after they are out of range.

Planter eventually approached the U.S.S. Onward, of the blockading fleet to surrender. She brought with her a 24-pound howitzer, a 32-pound pivot gun, a 7-inch rifle and 4 smooth-bore cannons. Planter had served as headquarters ship for General Ripley and was a valuable ship because she could carry as many as one thousand troops and her shallow draft gave her freedom throughout much of the coastal waters. Robert Smalls had been born on the Sea Islands and knew the waters from Beaufort, South Carolina to Florida. Together they were important prizes for the Union.

---

For the Benefit of Robert Smalls and Others.....

Generally, any enemy ships taken in this manner are treated as prizes for the men who performed the courageous act. Commander Du Pont submitted the claim's for these men to Washington despite his misgivings that they would be honored. Since these men had been slaves and the Dred Scott Decision said they were merely contraband, it took a special act of congress to award the ship as a prize, and even so it was valued at $9168, or 1/3 it's true value.

---

Captain

Robert Smalls was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, Company B, 33rd Regiment, United States Colored Troops. He was then detailed as Pilot to the Planter. Later Smalls was assigned to the ironclad Keokuk for an attack into Charleston Harbor. Things soon went awry and the order of battle was abandoned, each ship fighting for itself. Keokuk eventually suffered over 90 shell hits and was soon sent to the bottom. Smalls survived and was transferred back to Planter. In late November of 1863, Planter saw action that prompted it's white captain to surrender. Smalls knew he could expect extremely poor treatment from the confederates and instead urged the gunners to carry on. The captain took cover in the coal bin for the duration of the battle while the crew fought on under Smalls' leadership. This action prompted the dismissal of the captain of record and the promotion of Robert Smalls to the position of Captain.

---

Robert Smalls gained promotion to the rank of Major General in the South Carolina Militia. He eventually became a congressman after the Civil War. He lived in Beaufort, SC. Smalls tried for years to collect a pension from the navy, but was unsuccessful. There is a memorial bust of him in front of the African Baptist Church in Beaufort. He is buried at the Tabernacle Baptist Church.

---

[VOYAGER]

t is the first Army vessel named for a Civil War hero and the first to bear the name of a black American.

Did the politically correct crowd have difficulty finding that needle in that haystack?

[rdb3]

Did the politically correct crowd have difficulty finding that needle in that haystack?

Your question is not making sense. What are you asking again?

A.K.A. Sleepy Brown

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

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[cavtrooper21]

What amazes me is though I was edumicated in publik skoolz with history books that were written and taught by liberals who claim to support blacks, racial equality and "liberty"...
I never heard about this brave man. All I heard was the constant yammer of "them po black folk" and how we as whites were the oppressors of all minorities.
Amazing how the demoRATs have kept so much covered up for so long.

...and I'm pleased as punch that my branch of service is recognizing him!!!

[cyborg]

What's your problem other than that stick wedged in an appropriate place?

[Ditto]

About 200,000 blacks served in the Union Army. Some of their stories are amazing.

[Oztrich Boy]

Look out for the usual suspects complaining about ...

this being mutiny, for which Smalls should have been executed.

In late November of 1863, Planter saw action that prompted it's white captain to surrender. Smalls knew he could expect extremely poor treatment from the confederates and instead urged the gunners to carry on. The captain took cover in the coal bin for the duration of the battle while the crew fought on under Smalls' leadership

[hunter112]

Great-great grandfather of Biggie Smalls?

[merry10]

There is another vessel being named in honor of a black man; the USS Pinckney is schdeduled to be commissioned memorial day weekend. I'm going.