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CSS Hornet

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this ship’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Ship Information (from DANFS)1,2:

Name: CSS Hornet Type: Steamer Tonnage: Not Listed.
Length: Not Listed. Beam: Not Listed. Draught: Not Listed.
Speed: Not Listed. Complement: Not Listed. Class: Squib
Armament: 1.18′ spar torpedo, percussion type, 5″ dia.
Namesake: Not Listed.

Images:

Image Needed

Ship Model Available:

Long Face Games Union and Confederate Torpedo Boats Ship Models Designs, 1/600 and 1/1200

Captain(s):
Master Samuel P. Blanc
Captain Image

Master’s Mate James W. Billups
Captain Image

Captain 3
Captain Image

 

First Offensive Order of Battle (June 13-18, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Second Offensive Order of Battle (June 19-30, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Third Offensive Order of Battle (July 1-31, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle (August 1-31, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle (September 1-October 13, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle (October 14-31, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle (November 1-December 31, 1864):

  • Not Present as a Warship

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle (January 1-February 28, 1865): James River Naval Squadron | Confederate Navy3,4

  • Captain:
    • Master’s Mate James W. Billups (January 23, 1865)5
    • Master Samuel P. Blanc (at least January 23-24, 1865) (January 25, 1865 on)6,7
    • Not Listed. (February 1865)8
  • Crew Strength:
  • Armament:
  • Note: This ship is noted as a “torpedo boat.” The ship was sunk “sometime during February 1865. She sank 2 days after colliding with the flag-of-truce steamer Allison.” More research is needed as to the exact date.9,10

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle (March 1-April 2, 1865):

  • No longer afloat

 

Siege of Petersburg Battles:

 

Siege of Petersburg Involvement:12

CSS Hornet was a steam launch fitted out as a torpedo boat on the James River late in 1864. Under Master Samuel P. Blanc, CSN, she took an active part in the attempted passage through the obstruction at Trent’s Reach on 23 and 24 January 1865. She sank 2 days after colliding with the flag-of-truce steamer Allison.

 

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. “DANFS.” Naval History and Heritage Command, www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs.html.
    2. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 2, Volume 1, Not Listed: I cannot find the CSS Drewry listed in this area of the Naval Official Records.  If you know where I can find more ship data for this ship please let me know.
    3. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 179
    4. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 189
    5. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 179
    6. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 179
    7. “Hornet.” Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/confederate_ships/hornet.html.
    8. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 189
    9. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 179
    10. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 189
    11. “Hornet.” Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/confederate_ships/hornet.html.
    12. “Hornet.” Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/confederate_ships/hornet.html.
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