USS Columbine (1862)

USS "Columbine" (1862), a side wheel tug, was built in New York City during 1850 as "A. H. Schultz"; purchased by the Navy 12 December 1862; outfitted by Howe & Cope-land, New York City; and placed under the command of Acting Master J. S. Dennis.

Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade

"Columbine" patrolled with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron off Port Royal, South Carolina, from 6 January 1863 until 14 February 1864 when she arrived at Jacksonville, Florida. From 9 March to 12 March she participated in an expedition up the St. John's River and Ocklawaha Rivers during which she took one prize.

Battle of Horse Landing

On May 23, 1864, while returning from a trip to Palatka, Florida, near Horse Landing, "Columbine" was attacked by Confederate forces of the 2nd Florida Cavalry, under the command of Capt. John J. Dickison, who were equipped with an artillery piece from the Milton Light Artillery.

"Columbine" captured by Confederate cavalry and burned

The Confederate troops engaged the "Columbine" very close to the landing, and kept up such heavy gunfire that it soon became impossible to handle the ship. After the rudder was damaged and a steam pipe wrecked, the "Columbine" could no longer be steered. She ran aground after 45 minutes of fighting, and Acting-Ensign Frank Sandborn went ashore and surrendered the ship to Captain Dickison. One landsman on the "Columbine" and three Negro seamen jumped off the boat, swam ashore, and marched some five days finally arriving at St. Augustine, Florida. The "Columbine" was subsequently burned so that she would not be re-captured by the "USS Ottawa", which was only about five miles upstream.

More than half of "Columbine"'s crew were wounded in the fighting. Official records of the "Columbine" indicate that only one seaman was killed. The remaining seamen were eventually transferred to Andersonville, Georgia Prison; the officers being sent to Macon, Georgia.

Aftermath

The destruction of the "Columbine" was one of the few instances in which a Union warship was destroyed by land-based forces during the Civil War in Florida. During the spring of 1864, the Confederates managed to sink four other Union ships in the St. John's River with the use of a new weapon, the underwater mine.

The wreck has only recently been discovered.

References

See also

* United States Navy
* American Civil War

External links

* [http://diversdown.org/The%20USS%20Columbine.htm The USS Columbine website]
* [http://www.geocities.com/fcphs/Horse_Landing_Project.html The Horse Landing Project]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c11/columbine-i.htm USS Columbine]