USS Cumberland
Private
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2014
Pilot Smith was aboard the Frigate Cumberland at the time. His account is unique, in that he describes the complete opening phases of the battle, which no one else does. The Cumberland opened fire, according to Smith, with her pivot guns as soon as the Virginia came into view. Then, as she neared closer, the Cumberland fired "six to eight broadsides" at the ironclad before she was rammed. The most common account of the battle, that written by Lieutenant Thomas O. Selfridge, USN, who was aboard the doomed frigate, omits any opening phase, claiming that the Virginia was too far forward for all but her forward pivot gun and number one 9" Dahlgren run out the bridle port, to reach. It was only after the Virginia rammed her, Selfridge says, and then pulled away, that the Cumberland finally able to return fire - but only three broadsides.
Why did Selfridge omit mentioning his ship's initial gunnery early in the battle?
I found this years ago (2003) on the old CSSVirginia.org site - which I can no longer find! Does it have a new name?
0 by Stephen Duffy, on Flickr
0-1 by Stephen Duffy, on Flickr
Awesome new painting - even with that strange hill in the background:
cumberland2_1webwater2 by Stephen Duffy, on Flickr
Why did Selfridge omit mentioning his ship's initial gunnery early in the battle?
I found this years ago (2003) on the old CSSVirginia.org site - which I can no longer find! Does it have a new name?
Awesome new painting - even with that strange hill in the background: