Ahoy there!

[bamaman]

Who's the best naval commander during the Civil War: Porter, Farragut, Foote ....or?

 

[RollAlabamaRoll]

I'd leave it to either Farragut, or Semmes. Though I do have a bit of bias for the latter.

 

[52ndFandS]

I'd leave it to either Farragut, or Semmes. Though I do have a bit of bias for the latter.

For dash and bravery one can't do better than Seemed. And he was a general as well as an admiral. I'm sure that made him twirl his moustache.

For my money Catesby ap Roger Jones is the man. He converted the Merrimac into the Virginia. Commanded the ship, taking over in the middle of a battle, impressive if you aren't expecting it. Commanded gun emplacements at Drewery's Bluff and got to spend the rest of the war building and testing guns. Also checked the powerplant, finding it near useless and very dangerous as it played out, on the Chatahoocee.

A little boring, but he seemed to be everywhere and done a bit of everything.

And he built those guns in Selma.

 

[Santee1821]

For his victories at New Orleans and Mobile Bay, I'd have to say Farragut.

 

[bamaman]

For his victories at New Orleans and Mobile Bay, I'd have to say Farragut.

I would vote for Captain Barbossa

 

[Stryker65]

I would vote for Captain Barbossa

...parley?

 

[rebelatsea]

For dash and bravery one can't do better than Seemed. And he was a general as well as an admiral. I'm sure that made him twirl his moustache.

For my money Catesby ap Roger Jones is the man. He converted the Merrimac into the Virginia. Commanded the ship, taking over in the middle of a battle, impressive if you aren't expecting it. Commanded gun emplacements at Drewery's Bluff and got to spend the rest of the war building and testing guns. Also checked the powerplant, finding it near useless and very dangerous as it played out, on the Chatahoocee.

A little boring, but he seemed to be everywhere and done a bit of everything.

And he built those guns in Selma.

Just a minor correction. Catesby Ap R Jones did not "convert the Merrimac", that was done by Gosport Chief Carpenter Joseph Pearce to the plans of John L Porter. Jones did indeed work on the test targets with Pearce and Chief Carpenter James Meads from Richmond, on and her ordnance with John M Brooke.
He took Charge of Selma Naval Ordnance Works which cast Brooke MLR and SB. Interestingly, towards the end of the war, Jones was in discussion with Constructor William Wag (g)ner from Montgomery Ala, regarding heavy breech loading guns. It would seem that both had come to the conclusion that BLR were the way forward despite Brooke's contrary opinions.
There are indications that Wagner had in mind a new ironclad armed with such weapons.

 

[Biscoitos]

Just a minor correction. Catesby Ap R Jones did not "convert the Merrimac", that was done by Gosport Chief Carpenter Joseph Pearce to the plans of John L Porter. Jones did indeed work on the test targets with Pearce and Chief Carpenter James Meads from Richmond, on and her ordnance with John M Brooke.
He took Charge of Selma Naval Ordnance Works which cast Brooke MLR and SB. Interestingly, towards the end of the war, Jones was in discussion with Constructor William Wag (g)ner from Montgomery Ala, regarding heavy breech loading guns. It would seem that both had come to the conclusion that BLR were the way forward despite Brooke's contrary opinions.
There are indications that Wagner had in mind a new ironclad armed with such weapons.

Ineresting and good work as always.
Glad to know you are out of the hospital.
I wondered about your absence.

So is there a good summary of service or fairly complete bio sketch of John L. Porter?
I find him very interesting.
Also the same for William Wag (g)ner?

Glad you are back and hope to hear from you soon.
B

 

[rebelatsea]

Tha nk you, it is good to be back home.

John L porter's son wrote a book about him but I don't have a copy and I believe it's long out of print. Unless of course someone here knows better !

William Wag(g)ner - I've seen it spelt both ways, is a bit of an enigma. The name is of Netherlands origin. I first came across him at Yazoo City where he was sent (By Mallory?) to assist operations there. He next was sent to Charleston to assist Duncan Ingraham.

There he was responsible for the alterations to CSS Palmetto State and CSS Charleston. How much of CSS Columbia as completed is his work seems to be a moot point. Promoted to full Constructor rank, From Charleston he was moved at John L Porter's request to Mobile to replace Joseph Pearce - in fact he went to Montgomery where the yard manager was struggling with what became CSS Montgomery.


The latter move was caused by Franklin Buchanan, who complained to Porter about Joseph Pearce (in fact the poor man was ill).

As an aside , Buchanan was something of a bully used to getting his own way - after an acrimonious spat with Porter, the latter telegraphed Mallory to request his removal from command at Mobile. If Mallory reived the message he obviously either refused or did nothing - with the result we all know.
Porter told him the nearest Constructor available was Sydney Porter (John L's brother). Buchanan was having none of it (" He's a drunkard"), So Wag(g)ner was asked to go to Mobile but found there was no constructor at Montgomery where a second Nashville type hull was being built at Buchanan's instigation.

Sadly although the ships hull and machinery was sound, the armour supplied, for whatever reason was wrong, so that Wag(g)ner had to make what use he could, plus putting some of his own ideas into the ship. The result was a failure, being overweight even without ordnance. At Mobile the armour was stripped and she became a transport.
It seems Wag(g)ner had ideas for a twin screw ironclad to be built at Montgomery - presumably with a Nashville type hull as the yard staff would be familiar with it, machinery by Warner at Columbus, armed with heavy breechloaders, He apparently told or discussed this with John L Porter who suggested he talk to Catesby Jones at Selma.

 

[Biscoitos]

Tha nk you, it is good to be back home.

John L porter's son wrote a book about him but I don't have a copy and I believe it's long out of print. Unless of course someone here knows better !

William Wag(g)ner - I've seen it spelt both ways, is a bit of an enigma. The name is of Netherlands origin. I first came across him at Yazoo City where he was sent (By Mallory?) to assist operations there. He next was sent to Charleston to assist Duncan Ingraham.

There he was responsible for the alterations to CSS Palmetto State and CSS Charleston. How much of CSS Columbia as completed is his work seems to be a moot point. Promoted to full Constructor rank, From Charleston he was moved at John L Porter's request to Mobile to replace Joseph Pearce - in fact he went to Montgomery where the yard manager was struggling with what became CSS Montgomery.


The latter move was caused by Franklin Buchanan, who complained to Porter about Joseph Pearce (in fact the poor man was ill).

As an aside , Buchanan was something of a bully used to getting his own way - after an acrimonious spat with Porter, the latter telegraphed Mallory to request his removal from command at Mobile. If Mallory reived the message he obviously either refused or did nothing - with the result we all know.
Porter told him the nearest Constructor available was Sydney Porter (John L's brother). Buchanan was having none of it (" He's a drunkard"), So Wag(g)ner was asked to go to Mobile but found there was no constructor at Montgomery where a second Nashville type hull was being built at Buchanan's instigation.

Sadly although the ships hull and machinery was sound, the armour supplied, for whatever reason was wrong, so that Wag(g)ner had to make what use he could, plus putting some of his own ideas into the ship. The result was a failure, being overweight even without ordnance. At Mobile the armour was stripped and she became a transport.
It seems Wag(g)ner had ideas for a twin screw ironclad to be built at Montgomery - presumably with a Nashville type hull as the yard staff would be familiar with it, machinery by Warner at Columbus, armed with heavy breechloaders, He apparently told or discussed this with John L Porter who suggested he talk to Catesby Jones at Selma.

Thanks for he information
I had only recently realized that John L. and Sydney D. were brothers.

 

[rebelatsea]

Thanks for he information
I had only recently realized that John L. and Sydney D. were brothers.

Yes they were, and if Sydney was a drunkard then he was a gifted one. How much of Joseph Pearce's illness was down to Buchanan can only be guessed at.

 

[52ndFandS]

I would vote for Captain Barbossa

I can't imagine surrendering my command to him.

"What do you mean by guidelines?"