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McLean Research Associates is dedicated to presenting little known facts about the US Navy in the Civil War, presentations on a myriad of astronomical topics,STEM workshops, and letterboxing.

In commemoration of the 160 years since the Civil War - or more appropriately in the vernacular of the day - The War of the Slaveholders' Rebellion - we are featuring a quote and picture of the day from the Naval Records

USS Louisville

Sun Mar 19 1865

Thomas H Dudley, US Consul, Liverpool writes J E Harvey, US Minister to Portugal "The English brig Fairline, now lying at this port, has taken 40 bales of clothing, blankets, supplies, etc., marked {C inside a Diamond} and numbered from 1 to 20; eight large guns, weighing 8½ tons each, with equipments or fixtures; a quantity of small arms and a large quantity of shot and shell suitable and no doubt intended for these guns, and enough coal to supply such a steamer as the Alabama. The shot and shell are computed to weigh 100 tons. The vessel is entered for Rio de Janeiro, but the men say she is to go to Lisbon. There can be no doubt but these guns and supplies are intended for some war steamer There is everything to fit her out for a cruise. I fear they are intended for some piratical craft to destroy our commerce. His crew was shipped yesterday, but it is not probable that she will sail before Wednesday. It would be well to communicate this information at once to our consuls at the islands and tell them to keep a lookout for her and suspicious steamers." added is "N.B. - The schooner Delgada has taken ten large anchors and chains for steamer, as she says, now at Ferrol, in Spain."

LCDR Earl English, USS Wyalusing, writes CDR W H Macomb, District of the Sounds of North Carolina, from off Croatan Light House "In consequence of the prevailing bad weather I have been unable to get down any farther than Alligator River, which I reached yesterday afternoon. On Friday I went up the Scuppernong in the Ceres to Columbia, [N. C.], Where I drew up sufficient of the piles of the burned bridge at that place to enable me to proceed on. I went on to Cross Landing, 10 miles above Columbia. In the Scuppernong I captured a schooner, and up to now have taken nearly sixty nets. This morning I dispatched the Ceres and a party up the Alligator, and in the meantime have run down to the island for my mail. Upon my arrival here I discovered a party hauling a seine near the light-house. I have had some correspondence with Colonel Lehmann on the subject, and send you the permit given by him."

CDR J C Howell, USS Nereus, writes W H Pinder, Resident Justice, Mathew TGown Roads "I have the honor to report the arrival of the U. S. S. Nereus at this place. I anchored merely to save a few hours heavy rolling and pitching between this and Cape Henri.
Have no need for supplies. I send you a few papers of late date from the United States,..."

RADM J K Thatcher, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "I have the honor to enclose herewith, for the action of the Department, two letters from Commander Armstrong and a copy of an order issued by Major-General Hurlbut, commanding Department of the Gulf, in relation to permitting goods to be shipped to Pensacola navy yard for the stores in Warrington and Woolsey, situated on the naval reserve, where the families of the employês ofthe yard, as well as refugees, reside.
A collector should be sent to Pensacola, as that place is declared an open port, to decide the question of granting or not granting permits to ship goods and provisions for the consumption of the inhabitants of Woolsey and Warrington."

Teachers and Educators - we have several Civil War presentations covering the US Navy throughout the Civil War which include our portable museum, Submarines, and key naval and land battles. Check out our Civil War section for more details. We also have several presentations on astronomy for all age groups

validated!