last update Saturday, 17-Jul-2021 07:20:53 PDT

Welcome...

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

A rather famous picture showing the damage inflicted on the turret of the USS Monitory after battle with the CSS Virginia.

Wed Apr 26 1865

CDR George Henry Preble, USS State of Georgia, writes SECNAV "I have the honor to report that, in compliance with your order, I have communicated by writing with our minister at Bogota and informed him of the substance of my instructions. I am informed it will be a month before I can expect to receive his acknowledgment of my communication.
    At the present moment there are no disturbances on the Isthmus, or any attempt to collect illegal taxes, which might call for interference.
    On the receipt of the glorious news of Lee's surrender by the Costa Rica on the 21st instant I dressed ship and fired a national salute, and in the evening burned a few fireworks in honor of that great event. After the departure of the mail steamer to-day I propose getting underway to show our flag at Cartagena and Puerto Bello, returning to this anchorage before the arrival of the next packet.
    Our consul at this port, F. W. Rice, esq., will take passage and return with me.
    I enclose a Panama paper which contains the provisions of the new and very important treaty all but concluded between the Panama Railroad Company and the United States of Colombia, by which the States of Colombia concede to the Panama Railroad Company the proprietorship in perpetuity to the railroad between Colon and Panama."

Thomas S Phelps, SOPA Cape fear River, writes MGEN W T Sherman, USA, Your telegram of yesterday is this instant received. The dispatches for Admiral Dahlgren and General Gillmore will be immediately forwarded by gunboat."

RADM J K Thatcher, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV from New Orleans "In my dispatch of the 24th instant, numbered 78, I had the honor to report to the Department the circumstances attending the running of the Red River blockade by the rebel ram W. H. Webb, and of her destruction below this city.
    The escaped prisoners were followed up by the navy, and by a detachment of the army stationed near this city, with the following results, viz: On the night of the 24th instant two prisoners were captured near the spot of the destruction of the rebel ram, and on yesterday the following rebel officers surrendered as prisoners of war to Acting Master Bowen Allen, who had been sent to pursue them through the swamps, viz: Charles W. Read (her late captain), Lieutenant W. H. Wall, Master S. P. Blanc, Passed Midshipman H. H. Scott, Assistant Surgeon W. J. Addison, Pilot James West.
    I have directed that these officers and two of the crew, captured on the 24th instant, be sent north as prisoners of war (the remainder of the men will be confined on board one of our vessels here, and will be sent north by the first opportunity unless claimed by the army to whom they surrendered) by the U. S. S. Florida, now about to sail for New York, and delivered by Acting Volunteer Lieutenant-Com- mander William Budd, commanding the Florida, to the custody of the commandant of the navy yard at that port, or such persons as he shall designate, reporting the same to the Department, together with a correct list and description of her officers.
    The crew of this Confederate vessel will undoubtedly all be captured, as those now at large are still believed to be lurking in the swamps, and are closely pursued.
    The engines of the Webb, as well as her chains, anchors, battery, etc., will be saved in good order, and are apparently but little injured."

RADM Samuel P Lee, Mississippi Squadron, writes SECNAV "Referring to my No. 183, of 20th instant, reporting the destruction of the steamer St. Paul and the probable destruction of two other steamers by guerrillas in Hatchee River, I enclose a report (copy) from Acting Master Fitzpatrick, commanding U. S. S. Siren, dated 22d April, respecting an expedition sent by Brigadier-General [E. D.] Osband to Brownsville, one column of which captured the guerrilla who has been passing for Luxton, but whose proper name was Wilcox, who burned the St. Paul. He was immediately hung by General Osband's order. It appears from this report that the Sylph and Anna Everton were not burned, but had come out of Hatchee River."

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!