Worst "pirates" ever?

Would be pedal boat thieves 'I'm Captain Jack Sparrow' ...

Drunks and fools.

Pedalo.

You didn't ask, but

Rockies

A "Flat-Earth" Navy

In the sense of Thomas Friedman, as portayed by Robert Kaplan discussing the new Maritime Strategy at the Atlantic in The Navy’s New Flat-Earth Strategy.

Sample:

This is very much a diplomatic document, meaning it is necessary to read between the lines. Without mentioning China and without going into specific numbers—or even asserting the need for more ships—the 16-page document makes the case for a Navy that must do, if not everything, then nearly everything. And it makes its case within an intellectual framework that should resonate with the public and a Democratic Congress: the dialectic of globalization. “Our Nation’s interests are best served by fostering a peaceful global system comprised of interdependent networks of trade, finance, information, law, people and governance.”

Cases in point: Top photo caption:

French Super-Etendard from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier French Navy Ship Charles de Gaulle (R 91) performs a touch-and-go landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, and Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of Commander, Task Force 473, are operating in the North Arabian Sea. Stennis and Charles de Gaulle are conducting bilateral exercises and supporting multi-national ground forces in Afghanistan. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Adam Henderson

Lower photo:

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) receives fuel from the MSC combat stores ship USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7) as the MSC underway replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199), far left, and the High Speed Vessel Two (HSV-2) Swift, far right, operate alongside in the Indian Ocean. Mercy is serving as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. Mercy is currently off the waters of Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia.
(U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Timothy Smith)

UPDATE: Another, but not totally dissimilar view, here:

Finally, no amount of cooperation can compensate for the corrosive consequences of a naval shipbuilding program that is dead in the water. You can't sustain global maritime supremacy by buying one submarine a year and one aircraft carrier every five years. And you can't fix a fouled-up shipbuilding sector by launching a political jihad against the handful of shipyards that have survived a generation of Navy mismanagement.

The Navy needs to settle now on what warships it wants for the future and start building them at a much faster rate; otherwise it will lack the tools to carry out all its high-minded strategic concepts.

UPDATE2: Something about all this "cooperation" reminds me of those cautionary words from Gunny Highway, "Just because we're holding hands doesn't mean we'll be taking warm showers together until the wee hours of the morning. "

Worst case scenarios of getting little help from "allies" when the chips are down still need to be considered, in my admittedly jaundiced view.

UPDATE3: And over at Steeljaw Scribe, the guy in charge of the prep of the new Strategy holds forth here. Note that in the comments, he refers to the Kaplan piece as bein on target...

Latest ICC CCS Weekly Piracy Report (to 22 Oct 07)

The latest ICC Commercial Crime Services Weekly Piracy Report (to 22 Oct 07) is here. Highlights: Somalia:

21.10.2007: 0050 LT: 00:26.0N-044:38.0E: 60 NM offshore Brava, Somalia.
A UN WFP chartered general cargo ship was fired upon and chased by pirates while enroute to Mombassa after discharging cargo at Mogadishu. The vessel increased speed, switched off her lights and headed towards the open sea. The pirates continued chasing the vessel. The vessel managed to escape as the distance between the vessel and the pirate’s boats slowly increased. The vessel continued her passage to the port of arrival. The UN WFP informed NATO shipping and MARLO who in turn advised TF150.

17.10.2007: 1830 LT: 10-20 NM off Mogadishu port, Somalia. A general cargo ship was proceeding to Mombassa, Kenya after discharging UN WFP chartered cargo at Mogadishu when pirates in a boat chased her, opened fire with automatic weapons, boarded her and hijacked her. They sailed the vessel into coastal waters and anchored closer to shore. To date, owners have lost all contact with the vessel. Fate of the crewmembers and ship is not known.
***
18.10.2007: 1000 UTC: 03:45N – 051:30E, off Somalia.
2/O on a bulk carrier underway sighted two small crafts on the port side disguising as fishing boat. At 3 NM the crafts increased speed and proceed towards the ship. One craft approached from the bow and the other from astern. 2/O alerted the master and the crew working on deck. One boat, with four pirates, near the bow fired warning shots, in the air, signalling the ship to stop. The other boat came near the port quarter of the ship and started firing at the accommodation. The first craft also started firing at the accommodation and bridge. One bullet hit the bridge window. Master raised alarm, sounded ship’s whistle, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and mustered the crew. After 15 minutes, the pirates aborted the attempt and moved away. No injuries to crew.
***
18.10.2007: 0805 LT: 54:34.0N-050:37.9E: 155 NM off Mogadishu, Somalia. A white coloured speedboat approached the ship underway at stern. Alarm raised, crew mustered and evasive manoeuvres taken. Two Somali gunmen onboard the ship fired warning shots at the boat and the pirates returned fire. The speedboat pursued the ship for about 15 mins and later altered course and disappeared.

17.10.2007: 1830 LT: 10-20 NM off Mogadishu port, Somalia. A general cargo ship was proceeding to Mombassa, Kenya after discharging UN WFP chartered cargo at Mogadishu when pirates in a boat chased her, opened fire with automatic weapons, boarded her and hijacked her. They sailed the vessel into coastal waters and anchored closer to shore. To date, owners have lost all contact with the vessel. Fate of the crewmembers and ship is not known.
***
14.10.2007: 2335 LT: 00:36.7N-050:20.01E: 312 NM off Mogadishu, Somalia. 2nd officer onboard a reefer ship spotted a suspicious boat on radar at a distance of 8 NM. A few minutes later, the boat picked up speed and headed towards the vessel. The vessel took evasive actions to prevent contact with the boat. Due to ship’s higher speed and evasive manoeuvres, the suspicious boat could not get closer and aborted the chase.

Iran:

16.10.2007: 0145 LT: 30:06N-048:24.4E: Shatt Al Arab river: Iran.
Five pirates in a speedboat, armed with AK-47 automatic rifles, boarded a container ship underway. They took the master, C/E, 2/O and pilot as hostage. The C/O discovered the incident and raised the alarm. The pirates fired at the C/O. Luckily the C/O escaped. The pirates robbed the crew of cash and property before escaping in their speedboat. Port control and coast guard informed.

Philippines: Action against pirates

The Philippine Navy and Marines go after pirates as reported here:

COMBINED Navy and Marine troops killed a suspected pirate during a raid at a suspected pirates’ lair in Batu Pantan, Lagayas in the Province of Tawi-Tawi, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

The raiding troops seized two “jungkong” type of watercrafts believed to be used by the pirates in their illegal activities during the Sunday raid.
***
“It had been monitored that local pirates are operating in the sea waters of Sulu and Tawi-tawi, victimizing traders and fishermen in the area,” Batara said.

“These lawless elements are heavily armed and are reported to be wreaking fear (on) the populace where they decide to harbor or stay,” he added.
***

The Westmincom through its various operating units is calling out to all law-abiding citizens to report such kinds of individual and organizations.

“We can only do so much without your help. Be also extra aware of the Abu Sayyafs who have allied themselves with the lawless elements and who are operating in this part of the country,” Batara advised the residents.

Sea Crimes: Human Smuggling

Scores More People Killed By Smugglers Off Yemen's Coast, UN Says:

Scores of people seeking a better life have been reportedly killed by brutal human smugglers during the perilous Gulf of Aden journey from Somalia to Yemen, adding to a mounting annual death toll that is already in the hundreds, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today.

"Up to 66 people drowned Sunday in the Gulf of Aden after being forced overboard by smugglers off the coast of Yemen, survivors said," UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond reported.

The tragedy involved two smugglers' boats that left the Somali coastal town of Bossaso on Saturday with 244 people aboard, mostly Somalis and Ethiopians. "The two vessels reached the Yemen coast off Hawrat Al Shatee on Sunday, survivors said. Passengers were forced into deep water and many drowned, they said."

A total of 28 bodies were buried on the beach, while 38 (29 Ethiopians and nine Somalis) remain missing, according to UNHCR.

"So far this year, more than 20,000 people have made the perilous voyage across the Gulf of Aden in boats operated by ruthless smugglers operating from Somali ports," Mr. Redmond said. At least 439 people have died this year and another 489 are missing and feared dead.

"Survivors of the weekend tragedy said the crew of one of the crowded boats had harshly beaten passengers during the voyage, injuring several of them. After being forced into deep water off the Yemeni coast, a total of 178 people managed to make it to shore.

Arrival did not signal safety; some reported being robbed by Yemeni military personnel. Aid workers arriving on the scene provided food and water before transferring the group to UNHCR's Mayfaa reception centre.

UN link here.

Early Results in From Cargo Scanning Mandate

100% container screening in foreign ports - early testing discussed in Early Results in From Cargo Scanning Mandate from MarineLink.com

Nigeria: Piracy effects on local economy

When there is only one mode of travel in a developing country and that mode involves travel on waterways, pirates are a major issue, as reported from Nigeria here:

The case of Bonny is most worrisome in recent times, as frequent attacks by pirates along the Bonny route takes its toll on human lives and property. Indeed, travelling along the route has become a nightmare. No day passes without such pirate attacks on commuters. During a recent attack, for instance, the pirates ordered passengers in five boats to disembark on the dangerous swamp, while the boats and property of the passengers were carted away.

Most worrisome is that on occasions, the pirates even engaged security agents in shoot-outs thereby heightening the state of insecurity on the Port Harcourt - Bonny route. It thus, becomes apparent that efforts by the state government to cater for the transport needs of the riverine communities are yet to yield the desired impact.

In fact, the problem has peaked to the point commercial activities are being threatened as private and corporate citizens now find it absolutely dangerous and foolhardy to travel to Bonny by river.

We think the increasing rate of criminality on sea routes in the state may not be unconnected with the dislodging of hoodlums and militants from Port Harcourt to the creeks, following the activities of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

It has therefore become necessary for government to consider the plight of riverine communities by providing security and complementary fleet of boats to convey citizens safely to and from Bonny and other riverine communities. This, we believe, could be achieved if the RMTS is empowered with appropriate quality and quantity of boats as being planned by government.

Besides, time has come to properly equip the marine police to carry out its statutory function of patrolling the creeks to ensure safety of citizens and also provide needed intelligence for other security operatives to rid the creeks of unwanted elements.

The alternative is to build roads, but then you might also develop highwaymen...

UPDATE: A reminder that the U.S. had its own trouble with river pirates. More on Cave in the Rock. An 1872 report of Mississippi pirate activity from the NY Times here (full version available in pdf):

Whithin a few months past, several stores and warehouses along the Mississippi, River, between this point and Dubuque, Iowa, have been robbed of large amounts of goods, and within a few days it has been ascertained that an organized gang of pirates exists in this vicinity, whose operations extend on and along the river for several hundred miles above and below

Also California river pirates here

Global Hawk UAV for anti-piracy patrol?

Well, someone is pitching Global Hawk as a tool in the fight against pirates, as set out here:

The U.S. Air Force plans to host 11 friends and allies in Hawaii next spring to pitch the idea of working together to put more eyes in the skies over the Pacific.
At an unmanned systems conference in Las Vegas, Gen. Jeffery Remington, director of air, space and information operations for Pacific Command, outlined a plan to bring together representatives from Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Sri Lanka in April to discuss a regional consortium to buy and operate Global Hawk UAVs, which are built by Northrop Grumman.
***
Of particular interest to all the countries would be monitoring the Straits of Malacca, the 500-mile stretch of sea between Indonesia and Malaysia that connects the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Between one-fifth and one-quarter of the world’s shipping passes through the Malaccan strait, which has become an increasingly attractive target for modern-day pirates.
The Global Hawk is designed to gather radar, optical and infrared data from as high as 65,000 feet for as long at 35 hours.

World Food Program wants naval vessels to protect food aid to Somalia

Reported here:

The UN World Food Programme on Monday renewed pleas for deployment of foreign naval vessels to protect food aid in Somali waters, a day after its chartered freighter escaped a piracy attack.

On Sunday, WFP-chartered, Comoran-flagged MV Jaikur II came under attack 60 nautical miles off the Somali port of Brava, south of Mogadishu, where it had had just unloaded 7,275 metric tons of WFP food and was sailing back to Mombasa.

The pirates fired, but the ship managed to escape.

"WFP remains extremely concerned about piracy off Somalia, particularly as it appears that as the monsoon season has ended, the pirate season has begun," WFP spokesman Peter Smerdon said in a statement.

"WFP reiterates its calls for foreign powers to send naval vessels to waters off Somalia to hunt down the pirates and protect the transport of humanitarian assistance."

"This was the third attack this year on a ship contracted to carry WFP food to Somalia," Smerdon explained.

Smerdon said arrangements were being made for a French naval vessel to escort ships carrying WFP food to Mogadishu from next month.

Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that his country was prepared to send a warship off Somalia to protect delivery of food aid to beleaguered Somalis from attacks by pirates.

As Galrahn notes in a comment below and here, NATO has a force (including USS Laboon (DDG-58)) that appears to be heading into the area.

Perhaps coincidentally.

LNG: Safety on the desert shores

If people don't want LNG ships near them, go where the people ain't, as set out here:

As a port of call, Puerto Libertad doesn't offer much. There's no public dock, no cargo cranes - not much at all, in fact, besides sand and shrubs and the unbroken horizon of the Gulf of California.

But for the huge tankers that carry natural gas around the world, this Mexican village is perfect: close enough to the United States to pump their volatile cargo over the border, but remote enough that a leak, explosion or terrorist attack wouldn't destroy an entire city.

As the United States runs out of natural-gas reserves, some energy companies are looking to Mexico, Canada and even the Bahamas for remote sites, like Puerto Libertad, where they can receive the mammoth boats carrying liquefied natural gas, or LNG. They can then sell it in the foreign country and pipe it across the border to U.S. homes and businesses.
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The foreign sites are also a way of bypassing opponents in American cities who are jittery about the prospect of gas tanker ships on their shores.

"Everyone is concerned that LNG is a combustible material, and they don't want it anywhere near them," said Alex Steis, managing editor of Natural Gas Intelligence, a trade publication. "It's the same stigma, or nearly the same stigma, as a nuclear facility, whether that (fear) is founded or not."

So, when the people move in near the LNG tank farm, where will the terminal go?

Latest ONI Worldwide Threats to Shipping Report (to 17 Oct 07)

Latest ONI Worldwide Threats to Shipping Report(to 17 Oct 07) found here.Highlights:

1. SOMALIA: Recent reporting indicates pirates are actively pursuing merchant vessels as
of 18 Oct 07 in the vicinity of 03:45N 051:30E, approximately 200 NM off the central east coast of Somalia. Vessels are advised to stay as far away from this location as practical. The first
indication came at 0405 UTC in location 03:54.34N 050:37.9E when a merchant vessel reported
being approached from the stern and chased by a small white speedboat for 15 minutes. Then, at
1000 UTC, a merchant vessel reported coming under gunfire in location 03:45N 051:30E.
Victim described two small speedboats, each carrying four armed men. One speedboat
approached at the bow and the other approached at the stern. The gunmen in the speedboat at the
bow started firing in the air and waving their arms signaling to stop. This was soon followed by
gunmen in both speedboats firing directly at the ship’s accommodations. One bullet hit the
bridge window. Vessel increased speed and took evasive maneuvers. After 15 minutes, the
speedboats moved away (ONI, IMB). (See here.)
.
2. SHATT AL ARAB: As of 16 Oct 07, there have been three reported acts of aggression
perpetrated against merchant mariners operating in the vicinity of the Shatt al Arab River
between Khorramshahr, Iran and the river’s entrance since 20 Jul 07. Based on the nature of
this recent reporting as well as past reporting from several years ago (see ONI WWTTS Message
07 Apr 04 Para 5.J.1.), mariners may be facing threats from three possible elements: 1) dedicated
criminals preying on merchant vessels in this vicinity; 2) unscrupulous fishermen or fraudsters
posing as fishermen that intentionally set nets in high traffic areas and use the excuse of net loss
to board merchant vessels and extort money from mariners; 3) legitimate fishermen aggressively
protecting their nets and seeking retribution for entangled nets (ONI).
***
3. INDONESIA: Indonesian authorities have detained fourteen pirates after foiling their
attempt to hijack a product tanker on 24 Sept 07. The tanker (KRATON), transporting a cargo of
cooking oil, was reportedly attacked on 22 Sept 07. After sailing from the Musi River, the vessel
was approached by a group in a 200-horsepower speedboat and armed with a number of pistols
and sharp weapons. The group proceeded to climb on board waving the pistols. Based on the
ship’s tracking system, the owner estimated the hijackers were likely planning to sail the vessel
to either Singapore or Malaysia. The captain was able to send a message to the pilot station at
Tanjun Buyut in Palembang, reporting that it had been boarded by several robbers, alerting the
authorities to the situation. The tracking system enabled authorities to the situation. The
tracking system enabled authorities to search for the vessel. The hijacking was foiled two days
later on 24 Sept 07 after the Indonesian Navy deployed six warships to Indonesian waters south
of Tanjung Ayam. The Commander of the Indonesian Navy was able to overpower them
without incurring any causalities. Authorities boarded the vessel and detained all fourteen
hijackers for further investigations. All seventeen crewmembers were safe and the cargo
remained intact. One of the hijackers detained, named Setiono, was reported to have been
recruited by a Palembang mastermind identified as Zulkifli and promised 150 million Indonesian
rupiah (approx. $16,500 USD) if they sailed the tanker into Malaysian waters. Two other
hijackers, who were considered the ring leaders, identified as M Teguh and Hussen, claimed the
piracy attempt had been planned for over a month under Zulkifli’s orders. According to further
reporting from 6 Oct 07, three additional accomplices have been identified as helping organize
the hijacking. One was identified as Indonesian soldier, Lilik Suprano, and the other two
suspected individuals are Singaporean identified as Fang and A. Fong. Fang has been detained
by Indonesian authorities and confessed to providing satellite telephones for the hijacking while
the other two suspects remain at large. ONI COMMENT: This incident bears remarkable
resemblance to the incident involving the tanker (STEADFAST) in Dec 05 (see WWTTS 28
Dec 05 para 5.K.2.). With the successful apprehension of these perpetrators and their
collaborators, it is hopeful this will significantly deter future illicit operations of this nature (LM:
Jakarta Post, Menko Perekonomian, IMB, ReCAAP, ONI).

Somalia: Pirates seize cargo vessel

Reported here:

Somali pirates have seized a cargo ship off the east African coast, the head of a local seafarer's association said on Monday.

Gunmen attacked the vessel on Wednesday, said Andrew Mwangura, the program co-ordinator of the East Africa Seafarers Assistance Programme, but due to chaotic communications with war-ravaged Somalia the incident had taken several days to confirm.

He did not have details on the number or nationality of the crew members aboard the Almarjan, a cargo ship of over 2 500 tons that was flying under a flag from the Comoros Islands and operated by Dubai-based Biyat International.

More here:

Somali pirates attacked four ships over two days last week, hijacking a Dubai-based vessel that is still in their possession, the head of a local seafarers group said Monday.

Pirates chased after three of the boats and shot at one of them on October 17 and 18, but the ships were able to escape a hijacking. The other, seized last Wednesday, was not as fortunate.

UPDATE: Info on Almarjan here.

UPDATE2: Something tells me that the NATO ships operating off Somalia have moved on...

Feeling paranoid?

Watch this.

By the way, I am running a special this week on MIT studied aluminum foil headwear.

More, please

Yeah, I don't like some stuff he has pushed, but unlike too many politicians, he has had to live with the consequences of decisions made in Washington....

Monday Reading

Now, from Finland (tough duty, Fred)it's Maritime Monday 81 from Fred Fry International!

Xformed has Maritime Monday up with a look at ships named for LT John Vincent Johnston, including that famous Johnston from Taffy-3.

CDR Salamander has the start of Maritime Strategy Monday, kicking off a discussion on the Navy's new Maritime Strategy. UPDATE: Steeljaw Scribe has the Strategy from the guy who lead the team writing here.

Enjoy!

UPDATE: Fixed link to Xformed's site. Sorry
bout that.

Sunday Ship History: Sinking the Albemarle

October is a great month in the history of the United States Navy.

The U.S. Navy was founded on October 13, 1775.

USS Constitution, "old Ironsides", still in commission, was launched in October 1797.

The "greatest sea battle" of all time was fought in and around the Philippines - the Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought from October 20, 1944 (it began with the allied landings on Leyte) and ran through October 26. And saw the end of any real Japanese surface navy threat and the rise of the kamikaze air attacks. And every surface line officer knows that it was probably the last time that "crossing the T" was done to bring all guns to bear on an enemy fleet.

And in October 1962, the world was about as close to full out nuclear war as it has ever come, as the Soviets and Cubans attempted to place nuclear tipped missiles on Cuban shore and the U.S. responded with a naval blockade of Cuba and brinksmanship made both sides blink- during the Cuban Missile Crisis".

These great events sometimes overshadow the smaller stories of men at war, hiding the stories of individual actions and personalities that form themselves in courageous acts.

One such act took place on October 27, 1864. The Confederate states were themselves being blockaded by the Union Navy, which was tasked to keep military supplies from flowing into the South and Southern trade goods from flowing out. The success of the blockade was limited by shortages of ships and by daring "blockade runners." As set out here:

A vital link in the serpentine chain with which the Union government was slowly squeez-
ing the life out of the Confederacy was the thousand-mile blockade of the southern coast line. If this were broken, permitting the Confederacy access to the outside world, the Union cause would inevitably fail.

Among the tools the Confederate Navy tried to use to defeat the blockade were its newly developed ironclad ships. These ships were designed to withstand shelling by the Union Navy ships and ram the relatively fragile hulls of wooden blockade ships, sinking them and ending the blockade.

One such iron clad ram was the Confederate ram Albemarle , which was stoutly armored for her day:

The Albemarle was built on the Roanoke River in 1863. She was of light draught, but of considerable length and width, her hull above the water-line being covered with four inches of iron bars.

Her early action is described here:

...built upriver in eastern North Carolina in William Ruffin Smith, Jr's cornfield on the edge of the Roanoke River near Scotland Neck...

The CSS Albemarle was commissioned on Sunday, April 17, 1864.

Her captain, Commander James W. Cooke, was ordered to immediately begin her trek downstream. Cooke, who previously held the responsibility of overseeing the construction of ironclads built in North Carolina, had been appointed as her captain in January.

Despite the fact that the Union Navy command in New Bern had been warned by spies that the Albemarle was on her way downstream, Cooke managed to successfully maneuver around Union-laid obstacles including a gauntlet of sunken hulls, pilings, torpedoes and cannon shot.

Two days after leaving the Edwards Ferry yard, the ironclad Albemarle, with her tender ship the Cotton Patch following close behind, arrived offshore of Plymouth.

At 4:07 a.m. on April 19, Cooke ordered the Albemarle's gun crew to load solid shot and standby. Through the misty twilight he had spotted two approaching Union vessels.

As the enemy grew closer he could see that the two ships were linked together with "hawsers and chains."

It quickly became obvious that the Union captains planned to snare the Albemarle with their chains trapping her between their vessels so the ironclad could be boarded and possibly captured.

Cooke ordered the Albemarle "all ahead full," sending the 376-ton ironclad straight for the space between the bows of wooden hulled Union vessels.

Heavy guns from the two Union ships, the USS Southfield and USS Miami, pounded the Albemarle with shot.

In a few seconds, the Albemarle had traversed the river, feinted at the last moment and rammed the Southfield hard at her port bow.

The Albemarle's ram crashed 10 feet inside the Southfield's hull, causing the Union ship to start sinking immediately. The Southfield suddenly listed to starboard, causing the Albemarle's bow to become jammed in the hull.

Cooke ordered "all astern full," hoping that full reverse thrust would relieve the Albemarle's bow and ram from the sinking Southfield.

To his horror, the Albemarle's ram remained stuck.

The ironclad began to sink with the Southfield, her bow depressed under the sinking ship. The Albemarle's forward deck was depressed so low that water rushed into her forward port.

Crewmen on the Southfield were abandoning ship. Some were attempting to lower small boats. Others were leaping into the chilly water.

The normally quiet morning twilight was filled with un-muffled shouts, screams and curses of Union sailors abandoning ship.

With the Albemarle stuck fast to the Southfield, the Miami's Captain, Lt. Commander Charles W. Flusser (also the Senior U.S. naval officer at Plymouth) ordered several broadsides fired into the ironclad's port casemate.

The shots ricocheted off the iron plates of the Albemarle, careening harmlessly into the water.

Flusser became enraged.

He jumped behind the Miami's bow-mounted XI-inch Dahlgren cannon, and personally fired the big gun pointblank at the Albemarle from a range of about 30 feet.

The shell slammed into the ironclad's casemate, ricocheting back and exploding directly over Flusser, killing him instantly and wounding several of the gun crew.

Cooke, still unable to use the big guns of the Albemarle because of her unfortunate predicament of being stuck to the Southfield, ordered his crew to climb to the top of the casemate where they engaged the Miami's crew in a brief but brisk small arms skirmish.

Finally, the Southfield's hull hit the bottom of the river. She rolled slightly, releasing her death grip on the Albemarle.

Cooke quickly reversed out and maneuvered the Albemarle for an attack on the Miami.

The Miami, however wanted no more of the Albemarle. She reversed her engines, then retreated at full speed.

By 5:11 a.m., as the sun began to cast rays over the waters of the Roanoke River at Plymouth, the Albemarle's first battle was over. She had suffered only one casualty - a crewmember identified only as "Harris." That unlucky Confederate received a pistol shot from a sailor on the Miami when he succumbed to curiosity and took a peek out of one the ironclad's gun ports.

Cooke navigated the victorious Albemarle to a point one mile below Plymouth where he dropped anchor and allowed the crew to recover and prepare their ship for another battle.

His "iron sharpshooter battery" and tender ship, the Cotton Plant, which had remained above Plymouth while the Albemarle engaged the enemy, was now anchored close by the ironclad.

Plymouth, North Carolina in those days was strategic port, located on the Roanoke River, and the site of vigorous military action:

During the War Between the States, Plymouth became a focal point for both the Union and the Confederacy because the Federal naval blockade tightened it's hold on the Confederacy with each passing year of the war. Being a strategic port, Plymouth gained added significance. It was believed to provide the easiest access to the vital Wilmington & Weldon Railroad. This crucial rail link which ran from Wilmington, NC to Richmond, VA was the "lifeline of the Confederacy", supplying Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. By 1864 the Federal fleet had closed all of the significant Southern ports except Wilmington, NC, which was guarded by the "Confederate Goliath", Fort Fischer. Therefore, this vital railroad became the focus of the Union and the Confederacy.

Plymouth, being occupied by the Federal Army and Navy since 1862, was a jumping off point for attempts to cut Lee's supply line, the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad.

Confederate Fort Branch located at Rainbow Bluffs above Williamston on the Roanoke River effectively blocked the river route. Numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach the railroad bridge at Weldon were made by the Plymouth based Federals.

Finally, in early 1864 Robert E. Lee agreed to spare his trustworthy Brigadier General, Robert F. Hoke, from service in Virginia to rid the coast of North Carolina of Union occupation. Hoke was on a tight timetable because Lee needed him back in Virginia before the summer campaign. With 13,000 troops and the promised support of the ironclad ram, the CSS Albemarle, Hoke began his attack on Plymouth late in the afternoon of April 17, 1864. Plymouth was defended by approximately 3,000 Federal troops under the command of Brigadier General Henry Wessells. The army was supported by the Federal Navy under the command of Charles Flusser.

After a full day of hard fighting on April 18th, some of the Confederate troops were becoming demoralized due to the heavy beating they were getting by the Federal Navy's gunboats and the stiff resistance from the well entrenched Federal Army defending Plymouth. Then in the early hours of April 19th the CSS Albemarle came to the rescue, steaming down the Roanoke driving the Federal Navy from the river. Commander Flusser was killed and the USS Southfield was rammed and sunk. The Federal army was surrounded now on land and river, but held out until 10:00 a.m. on April 20th, when General Wessells surrendered.

With the ironclad Albemarle controlling the river, the vital port could be kept open for the Confederacy.

But the death of Commander Flusser angered one his friends, Lt. William Barker Cushing.

Lt. Cushing, commander of the Union ship Monticello vowed to avenge his friend and devised a plan to sink Albemarle:

The plan was approved, and the Lieutenant withdrawn from the Monticello to perform this special service. Since that date Admiral LEE has been succeeded by Admiral PORTER, who has signalized his assumption of command by the destruction of the ALBEMARLE. After the conception of his plan Lieutenant CUSHING came to New York, and, in conjunction with Admiral GREGORY, Captain BOGGS, and Chief Engineer W. W. Wood, applied to one of the new steam-pickets a torpedo arrangement and returned to the Sound.

And the plan was executed:

The Albemarle was moored some eight miles from the mouth of the Roanoke River, at the wharves of Plymouth. On the night of October 27, 1864, a pitch-dark rainy night, Cushing slipped away from the blockading fleet on his perilous and desperate errand. Cushing went up-stream with the utmost caution, as the success depended upon silence and surprise. By good luck he passed unnoticed a Confederate lookout below the ram. The Albemarle was protected by a great boom of logs thrown out about thirty feet from her, on purpose. to prevent such an attack as Cushing had in view. Feeling his way cautiously he finally made out the boom of the Albemarle, and at once drove at her. But as they neared the landing the barking of a dog aroused the sentry. The shots were singing around him, as he stood erect guiding his launch. The noise of the great guns could be heard as they were made ready.

The second attempt to reach the ram was successful. As the boat slid forward over the boom he brought the torpedo full against the side of the powerful ram, and instantly exploded it, within ten feet of the muzzle of the hundred-pounder, which was depressed as rapidly as possible to blow Cushing and his boat out of the water. The explosion and the discharge of the Albemarle's gun was simultaneous. The ram at once settled, and the launch sinking at the same moment, Cushing and his men threw off their coats and plunged into the water, striking out for the middle of the river. From river to swamp and woods, and finally swimming besides a small, square-ended boat out of the sound into the sea, when coming within the hailing of our ships, Cushing gave the "ship ahoy," and was picked up by the Valley City. Cushing's whole career shows him as a man of great courage and energy and, as Admiral Farragut said, " While no navy has braver officers than ours, young Cushing was the hero of the war."

Cushing's report of the attack is here, and contains some sign of the courage of the men involved in the attack:

The light of fire ashore showed me the ironclad made fast to the wharf, with a pen of logs around her about 30 feet from her side.

Passing her closely, we made a complete circle so as to strike her fairly, and went into her bows on. By this time the enemy's fire was fairly severe, but a dose of canister at short range served to moderate their zeal and disturb their aim. Paymaster Swan, of the Otsego, was wounded near me, but how many more I know not. Three bullets struck my clothing, and the air seemed full of them.

In a moment we had struck the logs, just abreast of the quarter port, breasting them in some feet, and our bows resting on them. The torpedo boom was then lowered and by a vigorous pull I succeeded in diving the torpedo under the overhang and exploding it at the same time that the Albemarle's gun was fired. A shot seemed to go crashing through my boat, and a dense mass of water rushed in from the torpedo, filling the launch and completely disabling her.

The enemy then continued his fire at 15 feet range, and demanded our surrender, which I twice refused, ordering the men to save themselves, and removing my own coat and shoes. Springing into the river, I swam, with others, into the middle of the stream, the rebels failing to hit us.

The most of our party were captured, some were drowned, and only one escaped besides myself, and he in another direction.

Lt. Cushing was much honored in his day.

Fittingly, the U.S. named a motor torpedo boat (TB-1) after Cushing. In addition, a number of destroyers have borne the Cushing name, one of which (DD-376) was lost off Guadalcanal in 1942. DD-797 saw action in both WW II and Korea. The fifth USS Cushing, a Spruance class destroyer, was decommissioned in 2005.

A small salute to a naval hero and the men who took up his challenge to engage the enemy.



Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Friday Reading

Orange courage at CDR Salamander: Fullbore Friday.

Steeljaw Scribe sarted early with a look at aerial photo intel during the "Missiles of October" crisis here.

Pete Stark: Jackass

I support freedom of speech but this congressman needs to a slap up side the head for this comment:

“You don't have money to fund the war or children,'' he said. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."

"For the president's amusement?"

The left had to invent a controversy to go after Rush Limbaugh, but this idiot manages to stir one up all by himself.

I would expect a complete, abject apology from Mr. Stark. And some demand for censure from his fellow House members.

Or maybe a challenge to a duel...

UPDATE: Judging by the responses to this, some of the extreme left is perfectly content with such language, praising Mr. Stark for speaking "truth to power."

Canadian-Russian "Arctic Bridge" - cargo flows to and from the "Polar Bear Capital of the World"

Reported here:

Churchill has welcomed its first shipment from Russia, marking the first manifestation of the Arctic Bridge trade route that the northern Manitoba port has been working on for some time.

The Russian container ship Kapitan Sviridov arrived Tuesday from the northwestern Russian port of Murmansk, carrying a shipment of fertilizer for North American farmers.

The ship will now load 20,000 tonnes of wheat from the Canadian Wheat Board and bring it to Italy.

More on the Port of Churchill here:

The town is the northern terminus of the Hudson Bay Railway Leased by OmniTRAX. It is a useful link in the export of Canadian grain to European markets, with rail-sea connections made at Churchill. The port of Churchill, also owned by OmniTRAX and run by the General Manager, Lyle Fetterly. It is Canada's principal seaport on the Arctic Ocean.

Churchill is the main Arctic Ocean seaport in North America with a rail connection to the south. Lesser ports Moosonee, Ontario and Hay River, Northwest Territories also provide a rail link to the Arctic Ocean. Hay River is a riverport. Cargo shipped north from Hay River travels by barge. There are currently no roads from Churchill leading to the rest of Canada. There is an airport east of town with daily flights to Winnipeg, and the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut.

More here:

The Port of Churchill is strategically located on the west coast of Hudson Bay, the Port of Churchill brings Atlantic Ocean trade to the doorstep of Western Canada.

The Port of Churchill offers four deep-sea berths for the loading and unloading of grain, bulk commodities, general cargo, and tanker vessels. Close coordination with the Hudson Bay Railway, its affiliated company, allows efficient access to all North American points through a connection with the Canadian National railway system.

The 140,000-tonne elevator, with unit train unloading capacity, has the ability to clean, grade, store and transfer bulk grains from covered hopper railcars to ocean-going vessels. The Port of Churchill is closer to 25% of Canada's western grain production than any other port.
***
The Port is available for shipping and receiving ocean vessels from July until early November. Earlier or later scheduling is available by using ice-class vessels or icebreakers.

And, of course, due to global warming, it may soon be open year round...

Red arrow points to Churchill.

Probably not a good liberty port.