William Cushing and the Daring Raid to Sink the Ironclad CSS Albemarle

William Cushing was a young naval officer who performed one of the most daring raids in American naval history. On October 27, 1864, Cushing led a small group of sailors in a daring raid to sink the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle, which had been terrorizing Union ships in the Roanoke River.

The Albemarle was a formidable warship, heavily armored and armed with powerful guns. It had been wreaking havoc on Union shipping in the Roanoke River, and the Union Navy was desperate to find a way to destroy it.

Civil War Commando: William Cushing and the Daring Raid to Sink the Ironclad CSS Albemarle

by Jerome Preisler

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14504 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	335 pages

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Cushing volunteered to lead the raid. He assembled a small group of sailors and set out in a small boat, the torpedo launch. The boat was armed with a torpedo, a powerful explosive device that could be attached to the hull of a ship and detonated.

Cushing and his crew rowed up the Roanoke River under the cover of darkness. They reached the Albemarle and attached the torpedo to its hull. They then rowed away as quickly as possible.

The torpedo exploded, and the Albemarle was sunk. The raid was a complete success, and Cushing was hailed as a hero.

Cushing's raid was a turning point in the American Civil War. The sinking of the Albemarle gave the Union control of the Roanoke River and helped to pave the way for the eventual Union victory.

Background

William Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin, on November 4, 1841. He was the son of a Presbyterian minister, and he grew up in a devout Christian household.

Cushing attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1861. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Union Navy and served on a number of ships during the American Civil War.

In 1864, Cushing was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He was given command of the torpedo launch, a small boat that was armed with a torpedo.

The Raid

On October 27, 1864, Cushing led a small group of sailors in a daring raid to sink the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle. The Albemarle was a formidable warship, heavily armored and armed with powerful guns. It had been wreaking havoc on Union shipping in the Roanoke River, and the Union Navy was desperate to find a way to destroy it.

Cushing and his crew rowed up the Roanoke River under the cover of darkness. They reached the Albemarle and attached the torpedo to its hull. They then rowed away as quickly as possible.

The torpedo exploded, and the Albemarle was sunk. The raid was a complete success, and Cushing was hailed as a hero.

Aftermath

The sinking of the Albemarle was a turning point in the American Civil War. The Union now had control of the Roanoke River, and the Confederate stronghold at Plymouth, North Carolina, was isolated. The Union eventually captured Plymouth in April 1865, and the Confederate army surrendered a few weeks later.

Cushing was promoted to the rank of commander for his daring raid. He continued to serve in the Navy after the war and eventually rose to the rank of rear admiral.

Cushing died in Washington, D.C., on December 17, 1874. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy

William Cushing is considered one of the most daring naval officers in American history. His raid to sink the CSS Albemarle was a turning point in the American Civil War and helped to pave the way for the eventual Union victory.

Cushing's legacy lives on today. The United States Navy has named a number of ships in his honor, including the destroyer USS Cushing (DD-985). There is also a statue of Cushing in his hometown of Delafield, Wisconsin.

William Cushing was a true American hero. His daring raid to sink the CSS Albemarle was a turning point in the American Civil War and helped to pave the way for the eventual Union victory.

Civil War Commando: William Cushing and the Daring Raid to Sink the Ironclad CSS Albemarle

by Jerome Preisler

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14504 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	335 pages

FREE