MichaelB
Sr. Member
Location of the Rebel Ram "Webb"?
Can anyone here tell me if this site has ever been located and examined? Below is the article from the newspaper of May 20, 1865:
END OF THE REBEL RAM
" WEBB."
ON Monday, April 24, the rebel ram Webb passed New Orleans having escaped from Red River. The excitement in New Orleans was very great, and astonished crowds ran on the levee to witness the extraordinary spectacle. She passed under a full head of steam and hoisted the rebel flag. The hollyhock followed in pursuit, under command of Lieutenant-Commander GHERADI. After running some 24 miles below New Orleans Captain REED, of the Webb, discovered that not only was the hollyhock in pursuit but that the Richmond was coming up in her front. The Webb turned, but when the Hollyhock dashed straight at her, she ran in shore, and the officers and crew, springing on the levee, fled into the swamps, first firing the vessel in several places. The United States vessel sent out boats, and the Webb was boarded and every effort made to subdue the flames, but in vain. Upon entering the engine-room a man was found lying asleep, who had been cruelly abandoned by his comrades to a fiery death. He was saved by our gallant seamen. His name is CHARLES PRESTON. The place where the vessel was burned was M'Call's Flats. After burning two hours the vessel blew up. Two hundred and seven-teen bales of cotton were destroyed.
Thanks.
MichaelB
Can anyone here tell me if this site has ever been located and examined? Below is the article from the newspaper of May 20, 1865:
END OF THE REBEL RAM
" WEBB."
ON Monday, April 24, the rebel ram Webb passed New Orleans having escaped from Red River. The excitement in New Orleans was very great, and astonished crowds ran on the levee to witness the extraordinary spectacle. She passed under a full head of steam and hoisted the rebel flag. The hollyhock followed in pursuit, under command of Lieutenant-Commander GHERADI. After running some 24 miles below New Orleans Captain REED, of the Webb, discovered that not only was the hollyhock in pursuit but that the Richmond was coming up in her front. The Webb turned, but when the Hollyhock dashed straight at her, she ran in shore, and the officers and crew, springing on the levee, fled into the swamps, first firing the vessel in several places. The United States vessel sent out boats, and the Webb was boarded and every effort made to subdue the flames, but in vain. Upon entering the engine-room a man was found lying asleep, who had been cruelly abandoned by his comrades to a fiery death. He was saved by our gallant seamen. His name is CHARLES PRESTON. The place where the vessel was burned was M'Call's Flats. After burning two hours the vessel blew up. Two hundred and seven-teen bales of cotton were destroyed.
Thanks.
MichaelB
