Crew of the "USS Tecumseh,"
April-August, 1864.
compiled by Terry Foenander.
The Canonicus class armored monitor, USS Tecumseh, was commissioned April 19, 1864, and spent her short life in the North Atlantic, and then the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. She was sent to the James River flotilla, and was engaged at Howletts, Trents Reach, Virginia, on June 21, 1864. Just prior to the battle of Mobile Bay, she was sent to join the attacking fleet there, and was sunk by a torpedo during the battle, August 5, 1864. Almost all the members of her crew, including her commander, Tunis A. Craven, went down with the vessel. When the USS Tecumseh hit the torpedo and started sinking, the order was given for everyone to make an effort to save themselves. A small number of the crew managed to get a boat afloat, and in the process also saved at least two of the officers from drowning. Additionally, a boat was sent by the USS Metacomet, and they were able, under heavy fire from the Confederates ashore, to pick up ten other survivors from the Tecumseh. [The enlisted men from the USS Metacomet involved in this operation were later awarded a Medal of Honor each.] Four other survivors from the sinking vessel swam ashore to Fort Morgan, and were captured by Confederate soldiers there. They were sent, on August 21, to the prison stockade at Andersonville. [ORN 1, 21, 490 and 493.]
The following list of her personnel covers the period from her commissioning up till the moment of her sinking, and is not a complete list of her personnel, as most of the documents (such as her deck logs) which show the movement of personnel, to and from the vessel, went down with her when she sank. The list of personnel included here was compiled from several sources, mainly the officers' and crew lists shown in the ORN, series 1, volume 21, page 492. Additional names and data are also shown on pages 490 and 496 of the same volume. Further details were extracted from the sources as referenced against some of the names.
More information will be added as data comes to hand.
Samuel M. Allison, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Frederick S. Barlow, second assistant engineer; appointed third assistant engineer, June 22, 1860; second assistant engineer, July 30, 1862; drowned at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan; Navy Register, 118.]
Ambrose M. Barry, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Thomas C. Barry, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
H.L. Bartholomew, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Bell, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Berry, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Blades, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Blagher, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William Brady, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John L. Brown, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Thomas Bruges, paymaster's steward.
James Burnes, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; shown in a separate account as being one of those who were saved from drowning, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a boat's crew of the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 496.]
Robert Burnett, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Edward Burns, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Jacob Burns, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Pat. E. Callahan, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Barney Campbell, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
George Chapman, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Christie, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William J. Churchill, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Collins, pilot; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Richard Collins, seaman; one of eight crew members of the USS Tecumseh, who were able to get one of the ship's boats afloat, and save themselves from the sinking vessel, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864; this is almost certainly one of the two persons named in the following entries. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Richard Collins, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Rich T. Collins, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Frank Commens, see Frank Cousins.
Josiah Conly, captain's clerk.
Peter Conolly, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Gardner Cottrell, acting master; born and appointed from Rhode Island; appointed acting ensign, July 21, 1862; acting master, on the recommendation of his commanding officer, April 28, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet; later served on the USS A.D. Vance; resigned from Naval service, February 4, 1867. [Callahan; Navy Register, 128; ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Edward Cousins, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Frank Cousins, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; this is almost certainly the same Frank Commens mentioned as being one of eight crew members of the USS Tecumseh, who were able to get one of the ship's boats afloat, and save themselves from the sinking vessel, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Robert Cowan, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Tunis A.M. Craven, commander; appointed midshipman in the United States Navy, February 2, 1829; lieutenant, September 8, 1841; commander, April 24, 1861; drowned August 5, 1864, at Mobile Bay. [Callahan.]
James Cullen, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James L. Dalton, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Henry A. Danker, acting assistant surgeon; appointed March 15, 1864; drowned August 5, 1864, at Mobile Bay. [Callahan.]
Thomas Davis, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William Davis, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Chauncey P. Dean, seaman/quartermaster; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Robert Deans, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Nat. B. Delano, landsman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Charles C. Derris, landsman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Duval, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Charles Evans, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
---- Farrell, saved himself, after the sinking of the USS Tecumseh at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by swimming ashore to Fort Morgan; captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, August 21, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 493.]
John Farron, chief engineer; appointed third assistant engineer, October 31, 1848; second assistant engineer, February 26, 1851; first assistant engineer, May 21, 1853; chief engineer, April 23, 1859; drowned August 5, 1864, at Mobile Bay. [Callahan.]
William Fedder, see William Tidder.
James Finn, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Henry Fletcher, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Fred Foster, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Charles Francis, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Gould, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; one of eight crew members of the USS Tecumseh, who were able to get one of the ship's boats afloat, and save themselves from the sinking vessel, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
John J. Grady, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Henry B. Green, acting second assistant engineer; born and appointed from New Hampshire; appointed acting third assistant engineer, September 19, 1862; acting second assistant engineer, March 3, 1864; condemned by medical survey and sent to Norfolk Hospital, prior to the battle at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864; later served on the USS Tahoma; resigned (sick), March 22, 1865. [Callahan; Navy Register, 188.]
William Hamilton, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Charles Hannible, landsman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Elisha Harsen, second assistant engineer; appointed third assistant engineer, July 1, 1861; second assistant engineer, April 20, 1863; drowned at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan; Navy Register, 118.]
Robert H. Harwood, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Charles A. Hatch, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Benjamin Haverty, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Joseph Heisler, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Pat Hogan, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Alfred Holland, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William Horan, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Jeremiah Hurley, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Jay, landsman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William Johnson, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Kane, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William D. Kay (middle initial also shown as S.), acting third assistant engineer; born New Jersey, and appointed from New York; appointed July 22, 1863; later served on the USS Unadilla; honorably discharged May 12, 1865. [Callahan; Navy Register, 202.]
James Kearn, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John W. Kelly (surname also shown as Kelley), lieutenant; appointed acting midshipman, January 31, 1853; master, October 24, 1860; lieutenant, April 18, 1861; drowned August 5, 1864, at Mobile Bay. [Callahan.]
James Kennedy, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Kindler, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Kostix, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Lands, ordinary seaman; shown in a separate account as being one of those who were saved from drowning, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a boat's crew of the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 496.]
Webster Lane, second assistant engineer; born and appointed from Massachusetts; transferred from the tug Roanoke, June 1, 1864; transferred at Port Royal to another vessel; appointed third assistant engineer, May 23, 1861; second assistant engineer, August 3, 1863; later served on USS Roanoke; resigned March 22, 1867. [Callahan; Navy Register, 74.]
Charles F. Langley, acting master; appointed ensign, April 14, 1863; acting master, on the recommendation of captain J.L. Worden, November 19, 1863; saved, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet; honorably discharged September 14, 1865. [Callahan; ORN 1, 21, 490.]
James Lawless, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Henry S. Leonard, second assistant engineer; transferred from the tug Roanoke, June 18, 1864; appointed third assistant engineer, July 19, 1861; second assistant engineer, January 16, 1863; drowned at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan.]
Thomas Lesk, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
J. Loughray, saved himself, after the sinking of the USS Tecumseh at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by swimming ashore to Fort Morgan; captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, August 21, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 493.]
Gilbert A. Lyman, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
George Major, seaman; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
George Matts, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James McAllister, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James McCue, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James McDonald, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Michael McEllery, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
P. McGinnis, saved himself, after the sinking of the USS Tecumseh at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by swimming ashore to Fort Morgan; captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, August 21, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 493.]
Nicholas McGuire, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Mulloy, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William O'Brien, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
George C. Overton, saved himself, after the sinking of the USS Tecumseh at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by swimming ashore to Fort Morgan; captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville, Georgia, August 21, 1864; this may be the same person listed in the next entry. [ORN 1, 21, 493.]
James C. Owston, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; see previous entry.
Charles A. Packard, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Peter E. Parker, landsman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; one of eight crew members of the USS Tecumseh, who were able to get one of the ship's boats afloat, and save themselves from the sinking vessel, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Charles J. Pemberton, seaman (colored); transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William L. Pennell, acting first assistant engineer, born Maine; appointed, from Massachusetts, July 22, 1863; condemned by medical survey and sent to Norfolk Hospital, prior to the battle at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864; later served on USS Roanoke; honorably discharged September 22, 1865. [Callahan; Navy Register, 184.]
Charles W. Pennington, acting first assistant engineer; born and appointed from Massachusetts; appointed acting first assistant engineer, November 19, 1862; later served on USS Peoria; honorably discharged March 19, 1868. [Callahan; Navy Register, 184.]
Walter Powers, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Robert Price, acting ensign; transferred from the tug Rose, June 8, 1864; appointed mate, December 31, 1863; acting ensign, June 8, 1864; appointment revoked September 26, 1866; the Navy Register entry contradicts this by indicating that he had drowned in the sinking of the USS Tecumseh at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan; Navy Register, 225.]
James Rayner, coal heaver ; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William Roberts, seaman/quartermaster; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Frederick Scott, acting third assistant engineer; born Connecticut; appointed from New York, July 22, 1863; later served on USS Augusta Dinsmore; honorably discharged December 22, 1865. [Callahan; Navy Register, 207.]
S.S Shinn, gunner's mate; one of eight crew members of the USS Tecumseh, who were able to get one of the ship's boats afloat, and save themselves from the sinking vessel, at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
James Smith, second class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
James Thom, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; see the next entry.
James Thorn, seaman; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet; possibly the same person named as James Thom in the previous entry. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
William Tidder (surname also shown as Fedder), landsman or ordinary seaman; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Walter L. Titcomb, appointed acting ensign, October 7, 1863; drowned at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan; Navy Register, 225.]
Thomas Ustick, acting second assistant engineer; transferred from the tug Minnesota, June 18, 1864; appointed acting third assistant engineer, January 14, 1863; second assistant engineer, June 12, 1863; drowned at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. [Callahan.]
Jacob Vreeland, yeoman.
Edward Walker, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
Thomas H. Walker, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
William C. West, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet. [ORN 1, 21, 490.]
David Williams, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Williams, seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Wilson, landsman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
George A. Wooley, ordinary seaman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
George Work, acting assistant paymaster; appointed acting assistant paymaster, February 2, 1864; drowned August 5, 1864, at Mobile Bay. [Callahan.]
Jacob H. Worth, first class fireman; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John Wrenn, coal heaver; transferred from receiving ship, USS North Carolina, April, 1864.
John J.P. Zettick, acting master; born and appointed from Massachusetts; appointed acting ensign, February 24, 1864; saved at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, by a crew from the USS Metacomet; honorably discharged, September 25, 1866. [Callahan; Navy Register, 154; ORN 1, 21, 490.]
Reference Sources:
Callahan - "List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps, from 1775 to 1900," compiled from the Official Records of the Navy Department; edited by Edward W. Callahan; published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., New York, 1901; reprinted by Olde Soldier Books, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland; n.d.
Navy Register - "Register of the Commissioned, Warrant, and Volunteer Officers of the Navy of the United States, including Officers of the Marine Corps and others, to January 1, 1865," publised by theGovernment Printing Office, Washington, D.C.; 1865.
ORN - "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion," published in 30 volumes, by the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1906; reprinted 1987 by Historical Times, Inc., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
©Terry Foenander
June, 2003