Proceedings of a Naval Court of Inquiry convened on board the U.S. Steam Frigate "Wabash" off Charleston S.C. on Friday February 26^th, 1864, in pursuance of the following order from Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

FlagShip John Adams
Off Morris Island, S.C.
February 22d 1864

Captain J.F. Green
Captain Jno. DeCamp
Commdr. J. C. Williamson

     Gentlemen,
                You are constituted a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the facts of the recent disaster that befell [sic] the U.S. Steam Sloop Housatonic, through the agency of a Rebel Torpedo.
                Which you will state with your opinion thereon.
                Lieut. Young of the Marine Corps will act as Judge Advocate.
                Please to signify to me as soon as possible, what affairs and men may be required for evidence, so that they may not be sent away when needed.
                               Respectfully
                                   Your Obdt. Servt.
                                      Jno A Dahlgren
                                Rear Admiral Comdg
                                      S.aB. Squadron

        U.S.S. Frigate “Wabash”
        Off Charleston S.C.
             Friday Feby. 26. 1864

        The Court was then duly sworn according to law by the Judge Advocate, and the Judge Advocate duly sworn according to law by the President of the Court.
  The order convening the Court was then read aloud by the Judge Advocate.
  Acting Master John H. Crosby was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States.

Answer: John K. Crosby. Acting Master

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you last been attached to, and how long have you been so attached?

Answer: The U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.” I have been attached to her since the second day of September 1862.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state all you know of the recent disaster that befell the “Housatonic.”

Answer: I took the deck at 8 p.m. on the night of February 17^th. About 8:45 p.m. I saw something on the water, which at first looked to me like a porpoise, coming up to the surface to blow. It was about 75 to 100 yards from us on our starboard beam, the ship heading N.W. by W. ½ W at the time, the wind two or three points on the starboard bow. At the moment I called the Quartermaster’s attention to it asking him if he saw anything; he looked at it through his glass, and said he saw nothing but a tide ripple on the water. Looking again within an instant I saw it was coming towards the ship very fast. I gave orders to beat to Quarters, slip the chain and back the engine, the orders being executed immediately. At this time the Officer of the Forecastle, Acting Master’s Mate L.A. Cornthwait, came aft and reported seeing this object on the water. At the same time I informed the Captain that I saw something on the water coming towards the ship very fast, but could not make out what it was. About this time the Executive Officer, Lieut. Higginson, came up on the bridge and asked me what I had seen. I told him I saw a swash on the water, but could not tell what it was: he replied he saw nothing and asked me where it was. Capt. Pickering then came on deck, gave orders to slip the chain, and back the engine, and asked me what I had seen. I told him I saw something on the water that looked like a tide ripple or a porpoise, but I could not tell what it was. I then jumped down off the bridge, the Executive Officer having taken the deck, and starting to go forward to see that the chain had been slipped: as I was going forward I looked over the side: I saw what appeared to me a plank sharp at both ends, about 20 feet from the ship’s side. I went forward, and, as I was coming aft again, the explosion took place. After I gave the order to go to Quarters several muskets were fired at it, and when it was close alongside Capt. Pickering fired his gun at it (the Torpedo). I don’t think it was over 2 ½ or 3 minutes from the time I first saw the object on the water until it struck, just abaft the mizzen mast, on the starboard side and the explosion took place. The order was then given to clear away all boats. I was abreast the engine room hatch on the starboard side when the explosion took place. I jumped over to the Port side and into the Dingy and gave orders to the men around to help me clear it away. I cut the falls, and while clearing it away, the ship so led heavily to Port, and the Dingy swamped. The ship commenced felling as soon as the explosion took place, and was full of water, and on the bottom when she lurched heavily to Port, all this occupying but about a minute or a minute and a half. After the Dingy swamped I jumped into the rigging, went up into the main top and down on the Starboard side, and took four men, cleared away the third Cutter, and started to pick up men who were in the water: after I had picked up the men I pulled towards the ship again, took two men off some pieces of the deck that lay close to the ship’s quarter. At this time I heard Capt. Pickering’s voice in the Port mizzen rigging: he told me to take him out of the rigging and pull for the “Canandaigua,” he afterwards said- pick up all the men and Officers you can find in the water, who are in danger, before you come for me. I obeyed his orders then took him out of the rigging and started for the “Canandaigua.” When I picked these men up in the water, all the rest of the men and Officers had got into the fore and main rigging. They were unable to clear away the launches, as they were in iron cranes and could not be got out in time enough. The 4^th Cutter and Dingy were swamped when she lurched to Port. Before I got to the “Canadaigua” she had slipped and was standing towards the wreck. I went alongside of the “Canandaigua,” put my men aboard, got a fresh crew and started back for the wreck, with boats from the “Canadaigua” and took two boat loads of mean to her.

Question by the Court: State the number and stations of lookouts, and also of Officers on deck on duty at the time the strange object was discovered approaching the “Housatonic.”

Answer: There were six lookouts stationed, one on each cathead, gangway and quarter; the Quartermaster was on the Quarter deck: an Officer on the forecastle, and the Officer of the deck on the bridge.

Question by the Court: Describe particularly its apparent dimensions, shape and appearance when you saw it on going forward to see if the cable had been slipped.

Answer: It looked to me about 25 or 30 feet longs, and between 3 and 4 feet wide, like a whale boat upset, and there was a raised appearance, about the centre of it, which made a ripple in the water.

Question by the Court: Why did you give orders to back the Engine? And had the ship stern board when the explosion took place?

Answer: I gave the order to back the engine to avoid the danger of fouling the propeller with the slip rope: I think she had very little stern board when the explosion took place.

Question by the Court: State in what direction with reference to the keel of the ship the strange object approached the ship.

Answer: When I first discovered it it was approaching at right angles to the keel, and had pointed amidships; as it neared the ship I thought it would strike near the mizzen mast, though it was still approaching at right angles to the keel.

Question by the Court: Could a gun or guns have been brought to bear on the object at any time after its discovery? And were any fired at it? If nay, state the reasons there were not.

Answer: No gun could have been brought to bear upon the object, because there was not time to train one, in consequence of its moving so rapidly towards the ship: therefore no gun was fired.

Question by the Court: What was the state of the “Housatonic’s” battery, and the watch on deck in regard to readiness for action at the time referred to in the preceding question?

Answer: The Battery was all cast loose: the 30 pdr. Parrott gun on the fore-castle was pivoted to Port: the 100 pdr. Parrott gun abaft the fore-mast was pivoted to starboard: the XI in. gun between the main and mizzen masts was pivoted to Port: the balance of the guns were broad side guns, and were cast loose with side tackles hooked in the fighting bolts. There were four men stationed at the starboard chain ready to slip it if required: there were six lookouts stationed armed with rifles, and the balance of the watch at the guns armed as at quarters. 

Question by the Court: When Capt. Pickering fired with his gun into the Torpedo where was he standing?

Answer: I think he was standing on the starboard horse block which is about 15 or 20 feet abaft the mizzen mast.

Question by the Court: From what you saw could you form any idea of how the torpedo vessel was propelled? If so, state how it was propelled.

Answer: I could not form any idea.

Question by the Court: When you took Capt. Pickering out of the mizzen rigging after the explosion, what was his physical condition?

Answer: He seemed to be very much exhausted. I don’t think he could have held out much longer.

Question by the Court: State particularly all the effects of the explosion which came under your observation.

Answer: The explosion started me off my feet, as if the ship had struck hard on the bottom. I saw fragments of the wreck going up into the air. I saw no column of water thrown up, no smoke and no flame. There was no sharp report, but it sounded like a collision with another vessel.

Question of the Court: State the force and direction of the wind and tide, and state of the weather on the night and at the time the explosions took place.

Answer: The wind was about N.W. by N: force 3. The tide was setting to N.E., about one knot per hour: the weather was clear, very bright moonlight.

Question by the Court: Were order and discipline preserved on board the “Housatonic”? and were the Officers and crew prompt in obeying orders up to the time of her sinking?

Answer: Order and discipline were preserved. The Officers and crew were prompt in obeying all orders.

Question by the Court: About how soon after the discovery of the object approaching the ship was the cable slipped, and the propeller in motion?

Answer: The cable was slipped in about 1½ minutes, and the propeller was turning at the same time.

Question by the Court: Were any other precautions observed on board of the “Housatonic” than those you have already stated to discover the approach of an enemy? If yes, state them.

Answers: There were not.

Question by the Court: What orders had you received as Officer of the Deck in case of the approach of an enemy?

Answer: I had orders whenever I saw anything that looked suspicious to beat the gong for Quarters immediately, slip the chain and back the engine to clear the ship of the slip rope; and to call the Captain at the same time.

Question by the Court: Was anything omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: There was nothing omitted: everything was done that could have been done.

        The testimony having been read to the witness, and approved by him he then withdrew.
  At 2:10 p.m. the Court took a recess. The Court re-assembled at 2:30 p.m. All the members and the Judge Advocate present.
[illegible note in margin - shorthand?] Ensign C.H. Craven was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States.

Answer: Charles H. Craven. Ensign.

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you been last attached to, and how long have you been so attached?

Answer: The U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic,” where I reported January 12, 1864.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state all you know in relation to the disaster that befell the “Housatonic.”

Answer: I was in my room about 9 p.m. on the evening of Feb. 17^th when I heard the Officer of the Deck give the order “Call all hands to Quarters.” I went on deck and saw something in the water on the Starboard side of the ship, making towards the ship, about 30 feet off, and the Captain and the Executive Officer were firing at it. It looked to me like a water logged plank, with something standing up in the centre of it about 18 inches apparently.  I was then standing by the after pivot gun’s port on the starboard side, abreast of the wardroom hatch. I heard the order given, by the Captain I supposed, to slip the chain and ring three bells to back her. I fired two shots at her with my revolver as she was standing towards the ship as soon as I saw her, and a third shot when she was almost under the counter, having to learn over the port to fire it. I then went to my division, which is the second, and consists of four broadside 32 pdr. Guns in the waist, and tried with the Captain of No. 6 gun to train it on this object, as she was backing from the ship, and about 40 or 50 feet off then: I had nearly succeeded, and was about to pull the lock string when the explosion took place. I was jarred, and thrown back on the topsail sheet belts, which caused me to pull the lock string and the hammer fell on the primer but without sufficient force to explode it. I replaced the primer and was trying to catch sight of the object in order to train the gun again upon it, when I found the water was ankle deep on deck by the main mast. I there went and assisted in clearing away the 2^nd Launch. The Gig and 3^rd Cutter had already been cleared away, had picked up some men and pulled for the “Canadaigua.” I tried to clear away the launch, but though both falls were cut the crutches and cranes held the boat, and I could not get her into the water. Seeing the Gig and 3^rd Cutter were pulling towards the “Canadaigua” I assisted some men who were in the water into the launch, and waited for the “Canadaigua” to come up. While waiting, I went aft with James Zimmerman, Captain of the Fore top, on the ridge rope, and groped around in hopes of finding Mr. Hazeltine, who I had heard was in the 4^th Cutter. I could not find him, but saw shelves filled with crockery and glasses drifting about, some of which I recognized as belonging to the Cabin. I found one hammock under the 4^th Cutter, and then went forward to the 2^nd Launch, and found two men drowning, holding on to the boom cover, stretched between the foremast and smoke stack. I got them into the launch and then waited until Lieut. Manley cam alongside in one of the “Canadaigua’s” boats.

Question by the Court: State the number of look-outs, and also of Officers on deck on duty usually.

Answer: There was one lookout on each cathead, gangway and quarter.  The Officer of the Deck aft: a Master’s Mate on the forecastle: the Quartermaster on the Quarter deck.

Question by the Court: Describe particularly the apparent dimension, shape and appearance of this object when you saw it.

Answer: What I saw above water appeared to be the size of a man’s head: and, on a level with the water it seemed to be twelve feet long, and looked like the keel of a whale boat capsized.

Question by the Court: State in what direction with reference to the keel of the ship the strange object approached the ship when you saw her.

Answer: Making about 45° with the keel of the ship, approaching the counter, coming from forward.

Question by the Court: What interval of time was there between your first seeing the torpedo craft and the explosion?

Answer: I should think not more than three minutes.

Question by the Court: Could a gun or guns have been brought to bear on the object at any time after you discovered it, and were any fired at it? If nay, state the reasons there were not.

Answer: I don’t think any gun could have been brought to bear after I came on deck: the one I attempted to train on it, I depressed the muzzle as much as possible and thought it would go over a very little, but intended to fire, thinking the shot might strike something under the water. I don’t think any other gun could have been trained on it, as the ship sank so quickly.

Question by the Court: How long after the explosion occurred did the ship sink?

Answer: I should think she settled on the bottom in about five minutes after the explosion.

        At 3:35 p.m. the Court adjourned until 10 a.m. Saturday February 27^th 1864, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

        11 a.m. Saturday Feb. 27. 1864

Question by the Court: State particularly all the effects of the explosion that came under your observation:

Answer: At the time of the explosion I was training a gun and did not notice what the immediate effects were; but, feeling the water about my feet, I started forward and found the ship was sinking very rapidly aft. Almost immediately she gave a lurch to Port, and settled on the bottom. Afterwards, in looking about aft for the body of Mr. Hazeltine, I saw that the starboard side of the Quarter deck, abaft the mizzenmast, and the furniture of the Ward Room and Cabin were floating within the ridge rope, so that I supposed the whole starboard side of the ship abaft the mizzen mast was blown off. I heard a report like the distant firing of a howitzer. The ship went down by the stern, and about three or four minutes after the stern was submerged, the whole ship was submerged.

Question by the Court: What was the state of the weather on the night and at the time the explosion took place?

Answer: The sky was clear, with few clouds: little or no sea on: the weather good and the moon and stars shone clearly: a moderate wind from northward and westward.

Question by the Court: Were order and discipline preserved on the “Housatonic,” and were the Officers and crew prompt in obeying orders from the time you came on deck until she sank?

Answer: As far as I could see order and discipline were preserved; and the Officers and crew obeyed all orders.

Question by the Court: Do you know at what time the cable was slipped, and the propeller put in motion? If so, state it.

Answer: I do not know.

Question by the Court: What was the state of preparation of your Division for action on the night and previous to the explosion?

Answer: The guns were cast loose and provided, the side tackles led out and hooked in the training bolts: No. 6 gun on both sides loaded with solid shot: No. 5 gun on both sides with blank cartridge. A five and ten second fuze shell at each gun on deck. The watch on deck belonging to the Division sleeping near their guns:  The Division ready to fire at any time the order might be given.

Question by the Court: What was the nearest land to the “Housatonic,” and about how far distant?

Answer: Long Island- distant I should think within five miles.

Question by the Court: Was anything to your knowledge omitted, to be done, that could have been done to save the “Housatonic?”

Answer: Nothing.

Question by the Court: What was the interval of time between your first seeing and firing at the Torpedo craft, and when you saw it at forty or fifty feet from the ship.

Answer: About three minutes.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.
  At 12:30 p.m. the Court took a recess.

        At 12:55 p.m. the Court re-assembled, all the Members and the Judge Advocate present.

 [illegible pencil note in margin, seems to apply to entire paragraph but may not be original to the text] 
  Acting Master J.W. Congdon was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States?

Answer: Joseph W. Congdon. Acting Master.

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you been last attached to, and how long have you been so attached?

Answer: The U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic,” since June 28^th 1862.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state all you know in relation to the late disaster that befel the “Housatonic.”

Answer: At about 8:45 p.m. on the 17^th of February I heard the Officer of the Deck call out “Quarters.” I went on deck and went forward to slip the chain: when I got forward I found the chain had been unshackled and was entirely clear: I went aft to the bridge, my station at Quarters. Just before I got there I heard them firing muskets at something over the side, and looked over the side to see what they were firing at, and saw something that looked like a water-logged timber, touching the starboard side of the ship. I was standing in the middle off the starboard after-pivot-gun’s port, and this object was about eight feet abaft of where I was standing. I drew my revolver, but before I could fire, the explosion took place. I immediately went forward and ordered the Launches to be cleared away, supposing the Captain and Executive Officer had both been killed by the explosion. The ship was sinking so rapidly it seemed impossible to get the launches cleared away, so I drove the men up the rigging to save themselves. After I got into the rigging I saw two of the boats had been cleared away, and were picking up men who were overboard. As soon as I saw all were picked up, I sent one of the boats to the “Canandaigua” for assistance. Both boats left for the “Canandaigua” about the same time. The “Canandaigua” then came down to us, and picked us off.

Question by the Court: What particular duty was assigned to you on board of the “Housatonic?”

Answer: Sailing Master’s duty.

Question by the Court: What was the depth of water at the anchorage of the “Housatonic” at low water, and at about what stage of the tide did she sink?

Answer: There was about twenty-five feet at low water, and she sank at about half flood.

Question by the Court: What was the bearing and distance of Fort Sumter from the “Housatonic,” and what was the nearest land to her, and how far distant?

Answer: Fort Sumter bore W.N.W. 5 2/5 miles distant. Long Island was the nearest land, about 2¼ miles distant.

Question by the Court: Describe particularly the apparent dimensions, shape and appearance of the object which you saw alongside.

Answer: It looked to be about 20 feet long and 2½ feet wide, and resembled a very old water-logged piece of timber.

Question by the Court: Did you see it at any other time than the one stated?

Answer: At no other time.

Question by the Court: Did the explosion occur while it was alongside the ship?

Answer: It did.

Question by the Court: State the condition and preparation of the “Housatonic” as regards readiness for action on the night of the 17^th inst.

Answer: The Battery was all cast loose: the Pivot guns pivoted in Broadside: the watch armed, and those who were not on lookout, or at the chain, were kept at their guns.

Question by the Court: State particularly all the effects of the explosion which came under your observation. 

Answer: The explosion started me off my feet, and I saw fragments of the deck abaft the mizzenmast blown up into the air. The explosion was rather sharp, but not louder than a 12 pdr. Howitzer. I saw a very large quantity of black smoke, but no column of water, and no flame. She commenced sinking after very rapidly, and by the time I got to the smoke stack, the water was up to my ankles there; she continued to sink until she was completely submerged, about three minutes after the explosion. When her fore foot was about six feet from the bottom, she heeled heavily to Port.

Question by the Court: What was the state of the weather, force and direction of the wind, on the night of the 17^th at about the time the “Housatonic” sank? 

Answer: The weather was fine, clear and bright moonlight: the sea was quite smooth: the wind was light and I think it was about N.N.W.

Question by the Court: Had the ship headway or sternboard when the explosion occurred?

Answer: Slight sternboard.

Question by the Court: Were order and discipline preserved on the “Housatonic,” and were the Officers and crew prompt in obeying orders from the time you got on deck until she sank?

Answer: Order and discipline were preserved until she commenced sinking, when many of the landmen jumped overboard: the Officers and crew were prompt in obeying orders.

Question by the Court: Do you know of anything that was omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: I do not. 

Question by the Court: Where were the Captain and Executive Officer about the time of the explosion?

Answer: The Captain was on the horse block on the starboard quarter firing at the object alongside: and the Executive Officer was standing alongside of him.

Question by the Court: Did you hear the Captain or Executive Officer give any orders after you got on deck? If yes state them.

Answer: I heard the Captain give orders twice to slip the chain, which had already been done, though it had not run out of the hawse pipe.

Question by the Court: At what time did it run out?

Answer: As soon as she commenced backing: I heard it run out when I got about half way aft on my return from seeing it had been unshackled.

        The testimony having been read to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

       Acting Master’s Mate Lewis A. Cornthwait was then called, and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States.

Answer: Lewis A. Cornthwait, Acting Master’s Mate.

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you been last attached to, and how long have you been so attached?

Answer: The U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic”: I joined her Dec’r 4^th 1863.

Question by Judge Advocate: State all you know about the recent disaster that befell the “Housatonic.”

Answer: I went on watch on the forecastle at 8 p.m. February 17^th and about 8:45 p.m. the lookout on the starboard cathead reported something adrift on the water, about two points on the starboard bow, and about 100 yards distant. I then made it out with my glasses and it looked to me like a log with two lumps as large as XV inch shell boxes on it, about ten feet apart. There was a break of the water forward and aft and between these two lumps. As soon as I saw it, I ran aft and reported it to the Officer of the Deck, who was on the bridge, and his glass turned in the direction of this object. I asked him if he saw it, and he replied “Call all hand to Quarters.” I then called the Quarter Gunner, and told him to beat the gong. The order was then given to slip the chain. I ran forward, knocked the pin out of the shackle and reported the chain slipped, though at that time it had not run out. Immediately the inquiry was made from the quarter deck whether the chain was slipped: it began to run out of the hawse pipe and I ran aft to report it. When I got abreast the Engine room hatch the explosion took place. There was then a general rush forward, and I ran with the crowd, crying out to clear away the boats: they succeeded in clearing away only the Gig and the 3^rd Cutter, the rest being swamped, except the starboard launch, which could not be cleared. The ship then began to settle by the stern, and lurched heavily to Port by the time the water on deck had reached the smoke stack. I was then in the fore rigging, and all who were in it began to lay down from aloft to prevent her careening entirely over. She settled on the bottom in about three minutes from the time the explosion took place. The two boats that were cleared away then picked up the men who had jumped overboard. The Gig then went to the “Canandaigua” for assistance.

Question by the Court: How long a time elapsed after the order was given to slip the cable, before it was actually slipped?

Answer: About two minutes.

Question by the Court: Did you see the object in the water at any other time than you have stated?

Answer: I saw it as I was running forward after reporting it: it was abreast of the starboard forward pivot-gun’s port, about 30 feet off.

Question by the Court:  What was the direction in which it was moving?

Answer: It was moving astern, parallel to the ship’s keel.

Question by the Court: Did it present the same appearance as when you first saw it?

Answer: It did, though the protuberances looked much larger than before.

Question by the Court: When you first discovered it, was it moving? If so, in what direction? Was its movement moderate or rapid?

Answer: It seemed to be moving, and approaching the starboard bow, obliquely to the keel: it looked at though it was only drifting towards us.

Question by the Court: What time elapsed between your first discovering it, and the explosion?

Answer: About five minutes.

Question by the Court: State particularly all the effects of the explosion, which came under your notice.

Answer: I was standing on the Port side, abreast the smoke stack, facing aft, when the explosion took place. I heard no report, merely the crashing of the timbers, and saw pieces of the deck thrown into the air, as high as the mizzen top: there was a heavy black smoke, no flame and no column of water.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        At 3 p.m. the Court adjourned to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday February 29^th, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

12:10 p.m. Monday Feb. 29, 1864

        The record of Saturday’s proceedings was read over and approved. Lieut. F.J. Higginson was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States.

Answer: F.J. Higginson, Lieutenant.

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you been last attached to? How long have you been so attached? And what special duty was assigned to you on that vessel.

Answer: The U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic,” since October 1863. I was Executive Officer.

Question by Judge Advocate: State all you know in reference to the late disaster that befel [sic] the “Housatonic.”

Answer: About 9 p.m. February 17^th, I was in my room, when I heard the Officer of the deck give the order to slip the chain. I went on deck immediately, found the Officer of the Deck on the bridge, and asked him the cause of the alarm: he pointed abaft the starboard beam on the water and said there it is. I then saw something resembling a plank moving towards the ship at the rate of 3 or 4 knots: it came close alongside, a little forward of the mizzen mast on the starboard side. It then stopped, and appeared to move off slowly. I then went down from the bridge and took the rifle from the lookout on the horse block on the starboard quarter, and fired it at this object. I then took the rifle from the lookout on the Port quarter, returned to the starboard quarter, and attempted to fire at the object with this piece from the horse block, but it missed fire. I then laid it down on the horse block, stepped down on the deck, and immediately afterwards an explosion took place, throwing me down on the deck. When I got up I found the ship heeled over to Port and sinking, the water being on a level with the deck in the after part of the ship. I then got into the Port quarter-boat and attempted to clear away the stoppers: there were three or four men in the boat with me: before we could clear away the boat, she swamped, washing me out. I got hold of an oar in the water, and commenced swimming towards the ship, where I was picked up by the Gig. I then took into the Gig a number of men who were in the water and pulled towards the ship. Seeing that no alarm had been given, I pulled towards the “Canadaigua,” and informed them the “Housatonic” was sunk. When I got up from being thrown on the deck I saw a column of smoke on the starboard side, abreast of No. 7 gun port, forward of the mizzen mast.

Question by the Court: How far distance from the ship was the object when you first saw it, and in what direction was it moving?

Answer: About 80 yards distant, moving towards the ship at right angles to the keel, and nearly abreast of the mizzen mast.

Question by the Court: How far distant was it when you attempted to fire at it the second time, and was it moving?

Answer: About ten yards distant and it appeared to be stationary.

Question by the Court: Describe as accurately as possible the appearance of the object at the time referred to.

Answer: It had the appearance of a plank, sharp at both ends: it was entirely on a wash with the water, and there was a glimmer of light through the top of it, as though through a dead light. It appeared to be about 15 or 20 feet long, with about 5 feet beam: I did not notice any projections on it.

Question by the Court: What interval of time elapsed between your first seeing it, and the explosion?

Answer: About three minutes.

Question by the Court: State particularly the preparation of the “Housatonoic” for action, and the precautions observed on the night of the 17^th inst: to discover the approach, and to repel an attack, of the enemy.

Answer: The guns were cast loose: the Rifle on the forecastles pivoted on the Port bow: Gun no. 4- 100 pdr. Rifle pivot- was pointed on the starboard beam: gun no. 7- XI inch pivot- pivoted on the Port beam. Broadside guns cast loose, with the luffs choked. The chain was ready for slipping, and men stationed by it ready to slip if required. Lookouts were stationed, one on each cathead, gangway, and quarter, armed with rifles. The remained of the watch, armed as at quarters, on deck. A Quarter Gunner was stationed to beat the gong and fire rockets. The Officer of the Deck, Officer of the Forecastle, and Quartermaster were all supplied with night glasses. The engine was ready for backing: the order was, they should have 25 lbs. of steam during the night. The general orders to the Officer of the Deck, passed through me, were, that in case of discovering anything suspicious he was to slip the chain, beat to quarters, and back the engine as quickly as possible, at the same time informing the Captain. The order was given to back in order to prevent the slip rope from fouling the propeller.

Question by the Court: State the number and rank of Officers comprising the watch on deck at and previous to the explosions.

Answer: There were two Officers: an Acting Master in charge of the Quarter Deck, and an Acting Master’s Mate on the Fore-castle.

Question by the Court: Did the ship have sternboard when the explosion occurred?

Answer: I do not know positively, but think she did.

Question by the Court: State, if you know, at what time the cable was slipped, and the propeller in motion.

Answer: About a minute after the Officer of the Deck gave the order the cable was slipped, and the propeller was in motion about the same time.

Question by the Court: Could a gun or guns of the Battery have been brought to bear on the object at any time after its discovery? And were any fired at it? If nay, state the reason they were not.

Answer: No gun could have been brought to bear; none were fired, because none could be brought to bear.

        At 2:15 p.m. the Court took a recess.

        At 3 p.m. the Court re-assembled; all the members and the Judge Advocate Present.

  [pencil note in margin] Lieut. Higginson was re-called, and his examination continued.

Question by the Court: What was the state of the weather and sea, force and direction of the wind and tide, at about the time the “Housatonic” was blown up and sank? And what was the depth of water at her anchorage at low water?

Answer: The weather was clear and pleasant- moonlight, not very bright, the sea was smooth, wind about N.W. force 2: it was about low water, and there was about 28 feet of water at her anchorage at low water.

Question by the Court: What was the bearing and distance of Fort Sumter from, and what was the nearest land to the “Housatonic” and how far distant?

Answer: Fort Sumter bore about W.N.W. six miles distant. The Battery on Breach Inlet, Sullivan’s Island, was the nearest land, about 2 ½ miles distant.

Question by the Court: State particularly all the effects of the explosion that came under your observation.

Answer: The ship was shaken violently, and caused to sink immediately, settling by the stern, heeling over to Port as she sank. Many articles about the deck floated off and drifted astern when she sank. I heard a report, not very loud, a low stunning crash, a smothered sound.

Question by the Court: How long after the explosion occurred was the hull of the ship completely submerged?

Answer: About five or six minutes.

Question by the Court: Were order and discipline preserved on board the “Housatonic,” and were the Officers and crew prompt in obeying orders up to the time of her sinking?

Answer: Order and discipline were preserved: the Officers and crew were prompt in obeying orders.

Question by the Court: Do you know anything that was omitted to be done, that could have been done to save the ship? If Yes, state it.

Answer: I do not.

Question by the Court: Did you see the Captain on deck during the alarm? If so, where was he, and what orders did he give?

Answer: He stood with me on the Starboard horse block, and fired his gun at the object in the water. I heard him give no orders.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and approved by him, he withdrew.

         At 3:45 p.m. the Court adjourned, to meet tomorrow, Tuesday morning, at 10 o'clock, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

10:50 a.m. Tuesday March 1, 1864

        The record of yesterday’s proceedings was read over and approved.

        2^nd Asst. Engineer C.F. Mayer Jr. was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name and rank in the service of the United States.

Answer: C.F. Mayer Jr. 2^nd Assistant Engineer.

Question by Judge Advocate: What vessel have you been last attached to?

Answer: U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: What position did you hold on the “Housatonic” at the time of the late disaster?

Answer: I was senior Engineer.

Question by Judge Advocate: What were the general orders for the night in your department?

Answer: To keep 25 lbs. of steam on, keep heavy banked fires, be ready to get under way at any time, and ready for backing.

Question by Judge Advocate: Were you in the engine room at the time the explosion occurred? If Yea, state the effects of it that came under your observation.

Answer: I was. Three bells were struck a few seconds after I got there, the engine was immediately backed, and had made three or four revolutions where I heard the explosion, accompanied by a sound of rushing water and crashing of timbers and metal. Immediately the engine went with great velocity as if the propeller had been broken off. I then throttle her down, but with little effect. I then jumped up the hatch, saw the ship was sinking and gave orders for all hands to go on deck.

Question by the Court: What amount of steam was there in the boilers, and were the fires heavily banked at about the time of the explosion?

Answer: About 26 lbs. of steam, and the fires were heavily banked.

Question by the Court: How many knots would 26 lbs. of steam propel the “Housatonic?”

Answer: With light winds and smooth sea the engine would have made 53 or 54 revolutions a minute, which would have propelled her about 8 ½ knots. The steam might have fallen off if we had got underwater, about 2 lbs. until the fires were spread, which would have occupied about 5 minutes and then it would have risen.

Question by the Court: About how long after the order was given by the “Bell” to back was the engine in motion?

Answer: Almost immediately: only a few seconds.

Question by the Court: How long had the engine been in motion and how many revolutions was the engine making when the explosion occurred?

Answer: The engine had been in motion about six seconds, and was making about thirty revolutions.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        Robert F. Flemming, Landsman (colored) was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: What is you name, rate, and what ship have you been last on board of?

Answer: Robert F. Flemming, Landsman. U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Where were you stationed at and previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?”

Answer: I was on lookout on the starboard side of the Fore-castle.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see any object on the water approaching the ship just previous to the explosion? If Yea, state what you know about it.

Answer: I did. It was about 8:25 p.m. I saw something approaching the ship broad off the starboard bow, about two ship’s lengths off, and reported it to the Officer of the forecastle. He told me it was a log. I then told him this was not floating with the tide as a log would, but moving across the tide. He still thought it was a log, so I called the lookout from the Port side to see what it was. When the Officer of the fore-castle saw this other lookout coming over he looked at the object through his glasses and then ran aft. I then cut away the slip buoy. By this time the object had got within about 30 feet of the starboard quarter. They then beat to quarters: I ran aft and before I got to my quarters, at No. 7 gun, the explosion took place. The ship began to settle by the stern immediately, and I ran forward again, and when I got on the fore-castle I saw the object about six or eight feet from the starboard quarter, apparently stationary, and I fired my musket at it. I then went into the fore-top, carrying my musket and accoutrements with me, and afterwards taking them to the “Canandaigua,” and stayed there until I was picked off by the “Canandaigua’s” boats.

Question by the Court: Describe particularly the appearance, shape, and dimensions of the object you saw in the water.

Answer: It appeared to be about 22 feet long, only each end visible, the water washing over amidships, each end about 22 inches out of water. I could not judge of its width, as it was broadside on.

Question by the Court: How long a time elapsed from the time you first saw it, until the explosion?

Answer: About six minutes.

Question by the Court: How long a time was it from the time you first reported it to the Officer of the forecastle until he ran aft?

Answer: About 1 ½ minutes: he left the forecastle, but did not get aft before they beat to Quarters.

Question by the Court: Did you see this object at any time after you fired at it?

Answer: I did not. When the “Canandaigua” got astern, and lying athwart, of the “Housatonic,” about four ships lengths off, while I was in the fore-rigging, I saw a blue light on the water just ahead of the “Canandaigua,” and on the starboard quarters of the “Housatonic.”

Question by the Court: Do you know who unshackled the cable? If so, state who.

Answer: I do not know.

Question by the Court: How long after you first discovered this object did they beat to quarters?

Answer: I am not positive, but I think about three minutes.

Question by the Court: Was the cable slipped at that time?

Answer: I do not know.

Question by the Court: Describe the effects of the explosion that came under your observation.

Answer: I was a little abaft the mainmast on the Port side where the explosion took place. I heard a noise like a splash of wood in the water, I saw fragments of timber in the air. 

Question by the Court: Did the ship have sternboard when the explosion took place?

Answer: I do not know.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        At 1:15 p.m. the Court took a recess.

        At 2:05 p.m. the Court re-assembled. All the members and the Judge Advocate present.

        Third Assistant Engineer J.W. Holihan was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rank in the service of the United States, and what vessel you have been last attached to.

Answer: James W. Holihan- Third Assistant Engineer- the U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Were you on watch on the night of February 17^th? If so, at what time? and state what were your orders with regard to the readiness of the Engine for service. Were these orders carried out fully on the night in question?

Answer: I took charge of the watch in the engine room at 8 p.m.: the standing orders were to keep heavy banked fires and 25 lbs. of steam from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.: to keep everything ready for getting underwater at a moment’s warning, and to have the engine ready for backing. The orders were fully carried out on that night; to the best of my knowledge there was a little over 25 lbs. of steam on, as we endeavored always to be rather over than under the mark: the fires were heavily banked and in good order.

Question by the Judge Advocate: Were you in the engine room at, and previous to, the time the explosion occurred? If Yea, state all that was done there.

Answer: I was. I heard the gong beat for Quarters, and gave orders to have everything ready for starting the engine. Immediately three bells were struck, and I gave orders to open the stop valves and back the engine. The engine had made about ten or twelve revolutions, at the rate of about thirty per minute, before I heard the crashing of timbers.

Question by Judge Advocate: State all of the effects of the explosion that came under your observation.

Answer: I was standing by the throttle valve and was staggered by the shock, and the engine commenced turning so rapidly I closed the throttle valve, supposing some part of the machinery had given way, but it seemed to have no effect.

Question by the Court: Under all the circumstances the “Housatonic” was then placed in, at anchor, at what speed would 25 lbs. of steam have driven her, had she got underway?

Answer: We could have made about 52 revolutions per minute, which would have driven her about 7½ knots at the start, and we could have increased it gradually to 8½ knots.

Question by the Court: What time elapsed after the order was given to back the engine before it was actually in motion?

Answer: About fifteen or twenty seconds.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        At 2:35 p.m. the Court adjourned to meet at 10 o’clock tomorrow, Wednesday morning, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

11:45 a.m. Wednesday March 2, 1864

         The record of yesterday’s proceedings was read over and approved.

        Acting Ensign F.H. Crandall was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rank in the service of the United State, and what vessel you have been last attached to.

Answer: F.H. Crandall- Acting Ensign- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: State all that came under your observation in relation to the loss of the “Housatonic” on the night of Feby 17^th between the first alarm and the explosion.

Answer: I was sitting in the Paymaster’s room about 9 p.m. when I heard the Officer of the Deck call out “All hands to Quarters,” at the same time the gong was sounded. I immediately rushed on deck, thinking a blockade runner had been sighted, or the Rebel Rams had come out. Having charge of the Powder Division I then went into the cabin and took the magazine and shell room keys from the Captain’s sleeping room. Just as I was coming up the stairway of the Cabin I heard some one call out “Shoot at the boat, it is a Torpedo going to blow us up.” I observed the men on deck were firing at something directly alongside, and had just time to get to the starboard after pivot-gun’s port and to catch a glimpse of the torpedo boat, which was about five or six feet off, when the explosion occurred. 

Question by the Court: What interval of time elapsed between the first alarm that you heard and the explosion?

Answer: About three minutes.

Question by the Court: Was the magazine opened, or was any attempt made to open it other than stated?

Answer: It was not open and I do not know of any other attempt being made. I retained the keys of the magazine and shell room.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        C.P. Slade, Landsman (Colored) was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rate, and what vessel you have been last on board of.

Answer: C.P. Slade, Landsman- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.” 

Question by Judge Advocate: Where were you stationed at and previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?”

Answer: On lookout on the Port-cat-head.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see anything unusual on the water about that time? If so, state all you know on the subject.

Answer: The lookout on the starboard cat-head called me over and said there was a Torpedo coming. I went over and looked at it: it was about one and a half ship’s lengths off the starboard beam, moving rather fast, towards the after pivot gun’s port; it looked like an old log about 24 feet long, only the two ends visible, the middle being under water. The Master’s mate was on the top gallant fore-castle at the time, talking to the Captain of the fore-castle. I did not hear what about. About three minutes after I went over to the starboard side, he went aft and soon after they beat to Quarters. I then started aft and fired at it out of the starboard Port of the pivot gun between the fore and main masts, it being then about ten yards from the starboard quarter, and moving towards the ship’s side. I went towards my Quarters at the after pivot gun, and when I got by the steerage hatch the explosion occurred.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see this object at any other time than stated? If so, state all about it.

Answer: I did not.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you report seeing this object to the Officer of the Forecastle?

Answer: I did not.

Question by the Court: What time elapsed between your first seeing it and the explosion?

Answer: About fifteen minutes.

Question by the Court: What time from your first seeing it to the beat to quarters? 

Answer: About five minutes.

Question by the Court: About the time of the discovery of this object did you hear the conversation between the lookout on the starboard cathead and the Officer of the Fore-castle? If so, state it.

Answer: I did not

Question by the Court: How long after they beat to Quarters did the explosion occur?

Answer: About two minutes.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        George H. Kelly, Cooper, was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rate, and the vessel you have been last on board of.

Answer: George H. Kelly- Cooper- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see any object on the water, previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?” If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: I was on the Fore-castle a few minutes before 9 p.m. Feby. 17^th. I saw something on the water looking like a capsized boat, about 25 feet long, about three points on the starboard bow, about 75 yards distant, moving astern nearly parallel with the keel. Before I went on the Fore-castle, I heard the lookout on the starboard cathead say he saw a droll looking log moving across the tide: afterwards I heard him say “If no one in going to report this, I will cut the buoy adrift myself and get ready for slipping.” These remarks were what attracted my attention. I was on the forecastle only a few second, then went aft to my Quarters at the after pivot-gun: when I got to the forward end of this gun’s starboard port I saw this object again, about fifteen yards from the ship, making a sort of circle towards the starboard quarter. I then started forward to get my primer box, it was not my watch on deck, and when I got abreast the engine room hatch the explosion occurred. I do not think it was over half a minute from the time I first saw this object until the explosion occurred.

Question by the Court: How long after you first saw this object did they beat to Quarters?

Answer: About half a minute.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        H.S. Gifford, Coxswain, was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rate, and the vessel you were last on board of.

Answer: Henry S. Gifford- Coxswain, and acting 2^nd Captain of the Fore-castle- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see any strange object on the water previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?” If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: I was on the Forecastle, it being my watch on deck, talking with the Officer of the Fore-castle about 8:45 p.m.; when the lookout on the starboard cat-head asked “what is that coming?”: the Officer of the Fore-castle then looked at it through his glasses, said it looked like a log, and then started aft. The lookout then said it was a queer looking log, and asked if he had better fire at it: I told him Yes, as I had orders to fire at anything I might see on the water. He snapped his gun at it. I then left him, went down on deck, and got as far as the Pivot gun between the fore and main masts, when I looked out of the starboard port and saw this object about 30 or 40 yards from the ship, rounding to towards the starboard quarter. Just then I heard Mr. Crosby give orders to beat the gone, slip the chain and ring three bells: these orders were all obeyed immediately. I then went to my Quarters at No. 6 gun, and in about a minute the explosion occurred. Just before the explosion I heard Mr. Crosby tell the men around they had better go forward, as it was a Torpedo, and they would all be blown up: the words were hardly out of his mouth before the ship was blown up.

Question of Judge Advocate: Did you see this object when you were on the Fore-castle? If so, how far distant was it from the ship and how was it moving?

Answer: I saw it about a point forward of the starboard cat-head, about 75 yards distant: it was approaching the starboard quarter obliquely, at the rate of about 2½ knots. After it got abeam it seemed to be moving faster, but in the same direction.

Question by Judge Advocate: Describe its appearance, shape and dimensions.

Answer: It looked to be about 25 or 30 feet long, sharp at both ends, with two protuberances about the size of mess kettles, each ten feet from the end. Amidships it looked to be six inches out of water, and at the ends about a foot. I saw no smoke indicating steam to propel it, but there was white water surrounding it.

Question by the Court: What time elapsed between your first seeing it and the explosion?

Answer: About five minutes.

Question by the Court: What time elapsed between the lookout’s calling your attention to this object and the Officer of the Fore-castle’s going aft?

Answer: Not more than a minute.

Question by the Court: Had the lookout called the Officer of the Fore-castle’s attention to it before the time referred to in the preceding question?

Answer: He had not.

Question of the Court: Do you know of anything that was omitted to be done, that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: I do not.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him he withdrew.

        At 2:55 p.m. the Court adjourned to meet at 10 o’clock tomorrow, Thursday morning, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

  11:15 a.m. Friday March 4, 1864

       The record of Wednesday’s proceedings was read over and approved.

        James Timmons, Quarter-Master was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rate, and what vessel you have been last attached to.

Answer: James Timmons- Quarter-Master- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Were you on watch on the night of Feby. 17^th? If so, at what time, and where did you keep it?

Answer: I went on watch at 8 p.m. on the Quarter Deck.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see any strange object on the water previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?” If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: About 8:40 p.m. I was on the Port side looking seaward when I heard the Officer of the Deck call out “what is this on the water?” I ran over to the starboard side and saw a white ripple on the water a little forward of the beam about 100 yards distant, heading about for the gangway, moving towards the ship at right angles to the keel. Then the Officer of the Deck called out, “Beat to Quarters, call the Captain, and slip the chain.” When the gong beat, this object looked like a log, and gave a slew towards the starboard Quarter of the ship, which made me think it was something more than a log. I ran forward, nearly to the fore-mast, and repeated the order to slip the chain. I then ran aft and heard the Captain give orders to slip the chain, and back her. I then ran to the bell, but before I got there the Engineer had struck three bells. I then went aft and found them firing musketry over the starboard quarter at something close alongside. I then went and took the musket from the lookout on the Port gang-way, ran aft and by the time I got to the ward room hatch the explosion occurred.

Question by the Court: How long a time elapsed from your first seeing it until the explosion? 

Answer: About four minutes.

Question by the Court: Were the orders to beat to Quarters and slip the chain promptly obeyed, and was anything to your knowledge omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: The orders were promptly obeyed. Nothing to my knowledge was omitted that could have been done to shave the ship.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        Thos. H. Kelly, Seaman, was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name and rate and whether you were attached to the U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic” on February 17^th.

Answer: Thomas H. Kelly, Seaman, doing duty as Quarter Gunner. I was attached to the “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Were you on watch on deck just previous to the explosion that sank the “Housatonic?” If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: I was on watch, and was stationed with a slow match to fire the rockets, and to beat the Gong for Quarters. About 8:45 p.m. I was by the after pivot gun, when I heard the lookout on the starboard cathead report seeing something like a log coming towards the ship. Mr. Cornthwait replied it was nothing but a log. About ten minutes afterwards I heard Mr. Crosby ask the Quarter Master what was that coming. I then went directly to the starboard port of the after pivot gun, looked over the side, and saw an object in the water, about 30 feet long, with a hump on each end as large as a mess kettle, about 10 yards distant, right abreast of this port, and moving towards the mizzen rigging. I sang out “That’s a Torpedo,” and Mr. Crosby told me to beat to Quarters, and gave orders to slip the chain. It then seemed to stop. I beat to Quarters, came aft, looked out of the same Port and the explosion occurred.

Question by the Judge Advocate: How long a time elapsed between your first seeing it, and the explosion?

Answer: About five minutes.

Question by Judge Advocate: How long a time elapsed between your hearing the lookout on the starboard cathead report seeing a log, and the explosion?

Answer: About fifteen minutes.

Question by the Court: How long after the discovery of the object in the water by the lookout at the cathead, did you beat the gong for Quarters?

Answer: About ten minutes.

Question by the Court: At what speed was this object approaching the vessel when you saw it?

Answer: About four knots.

Question by the Court:  When you heard the lookout at the cathead report the object in the water, to whom did he report it, and what were the words of his report?

Answer: To Mr. Cornthwait, Officer of the Fore-castle: he said “There is something coming that looks like a log: it looks very suspicious.”

Question by the Court: Where was Mr. Cornthwait at the time the report was made to him, and was the report made to him in a moderate or loud tone of voice?

Answer: He was on the Fore-castle: the report was made in a loud tone.

Question by the Court: How near to the after pivot gun were you when you heard the report made to Mr. Cornthwait?

Answer: About 15 feet forward of it: I was abaft the main mast.

Question by the Court: You have stated you were near the after pivot gun at the time this report was made to Mr. Cornthwait; how then do you know that the lookout at the cat-head made this report, and that it was made to Mr. Cornthwait?

Answer: I heard the lookout call Mr. Cornthwait’s name; and I saw him on the Fore-castle.

Question by the Court: Were the orders to slip the chain and beat to Quarters promptly obeyed? And do you know of anything that was omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: The orders were promptly obeyed. If the object had been reported when it was first discovered No. 4 gun- 100 pdr. Pivot gun between the fore and main rigging- might have been trained on it. I know of nothing else that could have been done to save the ship.

Question by the Court: You have stated in your evidence that you first saw the suspicious object from the after pivot port, about ten yards from the ship; how then do you know that No. 4 gun could have been trained on it when it was first discovered?

Answer: When I saw it from the after port it was coming from a direction that made me suppose No. 4 gun could have been trained, when it was first discovered.

Question by the Court: On the night of the 17^th, which side was No. 4 gun pivoted?

Answer: Starboard side.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        John Saunders, Landsman, colored, was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name and rate.

Answer: John Saunders. Landsman.

Question by Judge Advocate: Were you on board the “Housatonic” on the night of Feby’ 17^th? If so, where were you stationed previous to the explosion?

Answer: I was: I was stationed on look-out on the Starboard Quarter.

Question by Judge Advocate: Did you see anything strange on the water? If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: About 8:45 p.m. I heard the Officer of the Deck say something was coming to blow us up. I looked and saw something forward of the beam, about 40 or 50 yards off, looking like a log, even with the water, with a knob about a foot high on it, moving towards the mizzen chains quite fast. I tried to fire my musket at it, but it snapped twice. The First Lieutenant there came, took the piece from me, and fired at it. The object was then right under the ship. The first Lieutenant then got down, and the Captain got up. I got down n deck, went over to the Port side, and to the wheel to take the hood off; and then I do not remember anything until I found myself under where the wheel was.

Question by Judge Advocate: How long was it from the time you first saw this object until you went to take the hood off the wheel?

Answer: I can not tell anything of the time.

Question by the Court: How long was it from the time you first saw this object until the Captain got up on the Quarter?

Answer: I do not know. It was a short time.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        Assistant Paymaster John S. Woolson was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name, rank in the service of the United States, and what vessel you have been last attached to.

Answer: John S. Woolson- Assistant Paymaster- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state how many of the Officers and crew of the “Housatonic” have been missing since the late disaster, with their names and rank.

Answer: Two Officers are missing. Ensign E.C. Hasltine, and Captain’s Clerk Charles P. Muzzey. And three men. John Williams, Quarter Master, Theodore Parker, Landsman, Colored, and John Walsh, 2^nd Class Fireman. I have made as careful an examination as I could in the absence of my Muster Roll.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        John Desmond, Boatswain’s Mate, was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: State your name, rate, and the vessel you were attached to Feby’ 17^th.

Answer: John Desmond- Boatswain’s Mate- U.S. Steam Sloop “Housatonic.”

Question by Judget Advocate: Were you on watch at the time the explosion occurred that sank the “Housatonic?” If so, state all you know about it.

Answer: I was. The first I knew of any alarm was the gong beating to Quarters. I then went to my Gun- Broadside 32 pdr. In the starboard gangway- and trained it on the Quarter by orders of the Officer of the Division, but saw nothing myself. The explosion occurred, and the ship settled so much in the water I was forced to leave the gun.

Question by the Court: Do you know of anything that was omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship from the time you went to your Quarters until the ship sank?

Answer: Nothing.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        At 2:30 p.m. the Court adjourned to meet tomorrow, Saturday, morning at 10 o’clock or as soon thereafter as practicable, on board the U.S. Steam Sloop “Canandaigua” for the purpose of taking the evidence of Captain Pickering, who is unable to leave the “Canandaigua.”

U.S. Steam Sloop “Canandaigua”
    11 a.m. Saturday March 5, 1864

        The record of yesterdays’ proceedings was read over and approved.

        Captain C.W. Pickering was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name, rank, and the vessel you have last commanded.

Answer: Charles W. Pickering, Captain U.S. Navy, late in command of the “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state all that came under your observation in relation to the late disaster that befel [sic] the “Housatonic.”

Answer: On Feby. 17^th a few minutes before 9 p.m.- the ship at anchor about 6 miles E.S.E. by Compass from Fort Sumter, riding at 75 fathoms starboard chain, heading about N.W. by W., wind four northward and westward nearly ahead- while seated at the cabin table overhauling a book of charts, I heard a confused sound and stir of excitement on deck. I heard the Officer of the Deck call the Orderly for the transmission of some information. I sprang from the table under the impression that a blockade runner was about. In snatching my cap I found I had taken Dr. Plaut’s by mistake, who was seated at the table with me at the time. I turned back, got my own, met the orderly at the cabin door, and passes him without waiting to receive his report. On reaching the deck I gave the order to slip and heard for the first time it was a Torpedo. I think from the Officer of the Deck. I repeated the order to slip, and gave the order to go astern, and to open fire. I turned instantly, took my double barrelled [sic] gun, loaded with buck shot, from Mr. Muzzey, my aid and clerk and jumped up on the horse block on the starboard Quarter, which the first Lieutenant had just left, having fired a musket at the Torpedo. I hastily examined the Torpedo; it was shaped like a large whale boat, about two feet, more or less, under water; its position was at right angles to the ship, bows on, and the bows within two or three feet of the ship’s side, about abreast of the mizzen mast, and I supposed it was then firing the Torpedo on. I saw two projections or knobs about one third of the way from the bows. I fired at these, jumped down from the horseblock, and ran up the port side of the Quarter Deck, as far as the mizzen mast, singing out “Go astern faster.” The men were then huddling forward; I would not call them aft to the guns, as they could not be trained until the ship had got some distance from the Torpedo, and they were in a safer place. I thought of going forward myself to get clear of the Torpedo; but, reflecting that my proper station was aft, I remained there, and was blown into the air the next instant from where I stood on the Port side abreast of the mizzen mast. I found myself in the water about here I stood, previous to the explosion amongst broken timbers, the debris of panel work and planking. I succeeded in getting into the mizzen rigging, very much bruised, and was rescued by a boat. The ship was then lying over on her Port side, so as to bring her Port quarter boat under water; she was raised forward, and her fore rigging full of men. The interval of time between the explosion, and my getting into the rigging is unknown to me. 

Question by the Court: What was the interval of time between your firing at the Torpedo and the explosion?

Answer: About a minute; certainly not more than a minute and a half.

Question by the Court: What were the General Orders given to the Executive Officer and Officer of the Deck, and what was the state of preparation of the “Housatonic,” at night to discover and repel an attack of the enemy?

Answer: The orders to the Executive Officer and Officer of the Deck were to keep a vigilant lookout, glasses in constant use- there were three glasses in use, by the Officer of the Deck, Officer of the Forecastle and Quarter Master, and six lookouts besides- and the moment he saw anything suspicious to slip the chain, sound the gong, without waiting for orders, and send for me: to keep the engines reversed ready for going astern, as I had on a previous occasion got my slip rope foul of the propeller by going ahead. I had the Pivot guns pivoted in broadside, the 100 pdr. On the starboard side, and the XI inch on the Port side; the Batter all cast loose, and loaded, and a round of cartridges kept in the arm chest so that two Broadsides could be fired before the reception of powder from the magazine. Two shell, two canister and two grape were kept by each gun. The Quarter Gunner was stationed by the match, with the gong. Watch and lookouts armed as at Quarters. Three rockets were kept in three stands, ready for the necessary signal. Two men were stationed at the slip rope, and others at the chain stopper and shackle on the spar deck. The chain was prepared for slipping by reversing the shackle, bow aft instead of forward. The pin which confined the bolt removed and a wooden pin substituted, and the shackle placed upon chain shoes, fair for knocking the bolt out; so that all that was necessary to slip the chain was to strike the bolt with the sledge once, which broke the wooden pin, and drove the bolt across the deck, leaving the forward end of the chain clear of the shackle. I had all the necessary signals at hand, ready for an emergency. The order was to keep up 25 lbs. of steam at night always, and have everything ready for going astern instantly.

Question by the Court: What was the depth of water at low water at the “Housatonic’s” anchorage, and what was the state of the weather, and stage of the tide at the time of the explosion?

Answer: 26 or 27 feet at low water; it was a pleasant, moonlight night, with a fresh breeze and very cold; about half ebb tide, and 28 or 29 feet of water.

Question by the Court: Were all of your general and special orders observed that night? And was anything to your knowledge omitted to be done that could have been done to save the ship?

Answer: They were promptly obeyed. Nothing was omitted that could have been done; If I had had two minutes to work in, I could probably have saved the ship and sunk the Torpedo craft.

Question by the Court: Did you see the Torpedo craft at any other time than that you have stated?

Answer: I did not, although I looked in every direction about the ship from the mizzen rigging, after the ship sank.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        Assistant Surgeon William J. Plaut was then called and duly sworn according to law.

Question by Judge Advocate: Please state your name, rank in the service of the Unites States, and what vessel you have been last attached to.

Answer: William J. Plaut, Assistant Surgeon U.S. Navy- U.S.S. “Housatonic.”

Question by Judge Advocate: Have you taken any steps towards ascertaining the number of casualties that occurred on the night of Feby. 17^th among the Officers and crew of the “Housatonic?” If so, please state all you know on the subject.

Answer: I have. The number lost, I believe to have been five: two Officers
Ensign E.C. Haseltine and Captain’s Clerk C.O. Muzzey;
and three men.
John Williams, Quarter Master;
Theodore Parker, Landsman, colored;
and – Walsh, Fireman.

There were two injured:
Captain C.W. Pickering, 
and John Gough, Captain’s Steward, both painfully but not dangerously injured.

        The testimony having been read over to the witness, and pronounced correct by him, he withdrew.

        At 1:10 p.m. the Court adjourned to meet at 10 o’clock, Monday morning, March 7^th, or as soon thereafter as practicable, on board the U.S. Steam Frigate “Wabash.”

U.S. Steam Frigate “Wabash.”
 10:50 a.m. Monday, March 7, 1864.

Lieut. Jas. B Young, Judge Advocate

The record of Saturday’s proceedings was read over and approved.

The testimony having been closed the Court was cleared for deliberation, and after maturely considering the evidence adduced find the following facts established:

First. That the U.S. Steamer “Housatonic” was blown up and sunk by a Rebel torpedo craft on the night of February 17^th last at about 9 o’clock p.m., while lying at an anchor, in 27 feet of water off Charleston S.C. bearing E.S.E., and distant from Fort Sumter about 5½ miles. The weather at the time of the occurrence was clear, the night bright and moonlight, wind moderate from the Northward and Westward, sea smooth and tide half ebb, the ship’s head about W.N.W.

Second. That between 8:45 and 9 o’clock p.m. on said night, an object in the water was discovered almost simultaneously by the Officer of the Deck, and the lookout stationed at the Starboard cat-head, on the starboard bow of the ship about 75 or 100 yards distant, having the appearance of a log. That on further and closer observation it presented a suspicious appearance, moved apparently with a speed of 3 or 4 knots in the direction of the Starboard Quarter of the ship, exhibiting two protuberances above, and making a slight ripple in the water.

Third. That the strange object approached the ship with a rapidity precluding a gun of the battery being brought to bear upon it, and finally came in contact with the ship on her starboard Quarter.

Fourth. That about one and a half minutes after the first discovery of the strange object the crew were called to Quarters, the cable slipped, and the engines back.

Fifth. That an explosion occurred about three minutes after the first discovery of the object, which blew up the after part of the ship, causing her to sink immediately after to the bottom, with her spar deck submerged.

Sixth. That several shots from small arms were fired at the object, while it was alongside or near the ship before the explosion occurred.

Seventh. That the watch on deck, ship, and ship’s Battery were in all respects prepared for a sudden offensive or defensive movement. That lookouts were properly stationed, and vigilance observed; and that Officers and crew promptly assembled at their Quarters.

Eighth. That order was preserved on board, and order promptly obeyed by Officers and crew up to the time of the sinking of the ship.

         In view of the above facts the Court have to express the opinion that no further military proceedings are necessary.

 [signed by]

J.F. Green
Captain & President

Jas. B. Young
  2^nd Lieut. U.S. Marines
   Judge Advocate

        At 2:45 p.m. the Court adjourned sine die.

[further signatures by]

J.F. Green
Captain & President

Jas. B. Young
    2^nd Lieut. U.S. Marines
       Judge Advocate

Posted 19 Mar 16