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Maritime Expeditions in Beaufort County
The "Picket(t)" |
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Illustration
(Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper)
Sketch No.1- A sketch of the Burnside Expedition
passing through the marshes between Croatan and Pamilco Sounds.
Sketch No.2- A sketch of the Burnside Expedition landing of the
National Troops on Roanoke Island, under cover of the Union
Gunboats, Delaware and Picket. 35.5cm Wide by 24.5cm High.
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Local Divers Inspect Sunken U.S. Gunboat
(Washington Daily News article)
The Pickett is still reportedly lying on the
bottom of the Tar River according to project coordinator and
certified diver, Carter Leary. Leary reported that a feasibility
study was being done to determine if the Pickett could be
raised. Although the wreck was reported covered with sand and
silt, it appeared to have a strong structure. The gunboat was
actually a riverboat converted by the Union Army and is located
at the bottom of the Tar River, west of the Washington City
Bridge. The vessel was originally named the Philadelphia and
possibly, the J.W. Winslow. According to a study made by the
Marine Committee, no evidence has been found of machinery or
boilers during examinations of the gunboat's remains. It is
suggested the gunboat sank because of the explosion of its
boilers. Artifacts have been recovered. The ultimate goal is to
raise it and establish a museum.
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Archaeologists Visit Wreck Site On Tar
(Washington Daily News article)
Archaeologists from the N.C. Division of
Archives visited Washington, N.C. to begin excavation of a Civil
War shipwreck in the Tar River believed to be the U.S.A.
Gunboat, Pickett. Carter Leary of Washington, N.C. has worked
with local divers the past ten years to begin excavation of the
wreckage. About 500 artifacts have been recovered from the
wreckage, which lies in about 15 feet of water on the south side
of the river near the U.S. 17 bridge. The Pickett was part of
General A. E. Burnside's fleet and is believed to have sunk
September 6, 1862. The Pickett, a 200-ton boat designed
primarily to patrol river boats, is believed to have been caring
a 30-pound Parrot gun and two other light guns at the time of
its sinking. The captain and 19 crewmembers were supposedly
aboard.
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Documents Pertaining to the Replacement of
the Picket(t) 2 pages
Document No.1- Col. W. A. Howard was authorized
to recruit the First Regiment, Marine Artillery Naval Brigade
for service on gunboats. The regiment was organized in New York
City. Its men served for three years, between November 12, 1861,
and August 18, 1862.
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Document No.2- A
copy of a letter to Gen. J. G. Foster from Col. W. A. Howard
concerning the purchase of a steamer to replace the Picket(t).
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Document No.3- A
copy of the letter sent to General Foster.
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