Black Warrior

"Black Warrior" is the name of a Confederate two-masted schooner that participated in the defense of Roanoke Island in North Carolina during the Civil War.

History

The "Black Warrior" was originally named the "M.C. Etheridge". Built in Plymouth, North Carolina, in 1859, she was owned and operated by J. Brown. Initially registered for overseas trade, the "Etheridge" was enroled for interstate trade in 1860. In October of that year her documentation was changed back for overseas trade. (Enrollment abstracts, NA)

Under the command of Lieutenant F. M. Harris, the "Black Warrior" was part of a nine-gunboat naval squadron tasked with the defense of the northeastern North Carolina sounds. She was at anchor in Croatan Sound under the guns of Fort Forrest when a Union army/navy force under the command of General Ambrose Burnside arrived on February 6 1862 to invade Roanoke Island. Because of her limited mobility and the fact that the Union landing site was well to the south of the schooner, she took no action against the invasion force. The other gunboats of the Confederate squadron engaged in a futile attempt to disrupt the landings on February 7. Late in the day the "Black Warrior" was detailed to salvage what guns and ammunition she could from the partially sunk gunboat "Curlew". That evening the squadron retreated to Elizabeth City to obtain more ammunition. One of the gunboats, the "Ellis", took the "Black Warrior" in tow while the remainder of the squadron made their way overnight to Elizabeth City. (Parker 1883)

Two of the Confederates gunboats steamed back to Roanoke Island but turned around when it became obvious that the island had fallen. However, they were sighted by the Union fleet and pursued back to Elizabeth City. It was decided to anchor "Black Warrior" near the fort that guarded the approaches to Elizabeth City while the rest of the gunboat squadron formed a line abreast across the channel opposite the fort. On February 10 the Union gunboat squadron, consisting of 14 vessels, simply bypassed the fort and "Black Warrior" to attack the other Confederate gunboats. Two Confederate gunboats escaped; the rest were either captured or sunk. The "Black Warrior" was burned to prevent capture. (Parker 1883)

In 2000 the wreck site was [http://ecbattle.home.coastalnet.com/BlkWarrior.htm mapped] and in 2001 a gun carriage was retrieved for display at the Museum of the Albermarle. [http://ecbattle.home.coastalnet.com/Museum%20of%20the%20Albemarle%20Artifacts.htm]

References

*Records of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, Certificates of Enrollments issued at North Carolina Ports 1815-1911, Abstracts, Record Group 41, National Archives, Washington, DC.

*John G. Barrett, "The Civil War in North Carolina", University of North Carolina Press, 1963.

*William Parker, "Recollections of a Naval Officer", Naval Institute Press, 1883, 1985.
* [http://ecbattle.home.coastalnet.com/Battle%20Summary.htm Battle of Elizabeth City] retrieved on 5/10/2007.

See also

* Schooner