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- USS Galena - The Deck of the experimental iron-clad gunboat Galena after having been repulsed by heavy fire from the confederate guns of Ft. Darling on Drewry's Bluff. Gelena was a major part of the defeated Federal naval effort to reach Richmond via the James River. The failure of the Gelena's overlayed railroad iron armor to withstand the confederate battery fire ended this design for futher union ironclade vessels. This Artwork published in "Deeds of Valor" in, 1907, depicts the USS Galena at the head of the attacking force. The U.S.S. Galena under fire from Confederate fortifications at Drewry’s Bluff, May 15, 1862 The early Union Ironclad U.S.S. Galena, accompanied by the U.S.S. Monitor and three other vessels, were ordered to sail up the James River with ambitious orders to reach the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia and “shell the place into surrender”. Eight miles below Richmond, at a sharp bend in the river the Union vessels came upon the Confederate fortifications at Drewry’s Bluff. The Union Commander John Rodgers, while having concerns about the armor of the Galena, maneuvered her to within 600 yards of the Confederate guns. For almost four hours the Galena exchanged fire with the Confederate gunners on the 200-foot-high bluff and shoreline rifle pits. After sustaining 28 hits, and with ammunition running low, the Galena was ordered to withdraw. The plunging fire from the buff had heavily damaged the Galena. Her hull armor and upper works were shattered, the funnel holed, and the deck had numerous holes punched through it. Commander Rodgers summed up the Galena’s performance in his report by saying “We demonstrated that she was not shot proof.” The ferocious Confederate defense at Drewry’s Bluff forced the Union to abandon the plan to reach Richmond. - Before Fort Darling, Drewry's Bluff, Va. May 15, 1862 Correct Responces: Bill Chislom - Links to More information - "American Civil War Naval Action May 15, 1862 " |
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