Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies

Series 1, Volume 9, pg 771-772

Abstract log of the U.S.S. Ceres

     April 17, 1864. — At anchor off Plymouth, N.C., near the flagship [U.S.S. Miami]. At 5:40 p.m. got underway and proceeded up the river. At 6:15, when passing the blockade a short distance above Fort Gray, the rebels opened on us from artillery and sharpshooters at short range. At 6:25 had passed the rebel batteries; while passing returned their fire as fast as possible. Casualties, 2 killed [Landsman Samuel Pascall & 1st Class Fireman William Rose] and 6 wounded. A shell exploded in boat on port quarter; one shot struck on port quarter about 6 inches above the water line and abreast of the magazine, but did not go through the outer planking. One shell entered the port gangway, passing through one brace of the gallows frame, exploded in the wardroom gangway. Were struck in numerous other places by bullets and pieces of shell. At 6:45 p.m. anchored in Roanoke River near the Whitehead, at the upper blockade, 7 miles above Plymouth. At 8:35 got underway and proceeded down the river; ran the fire of the rebel batteries and sharpshooters which lined the bank of the river above Fort Gray. At 9 anchored near the Miami, off Plymouth. At 9:30 surgeons from the Miami and Southfield came on board and attended to the wounded. No damage was received coming down the river. Expended 16 5-second shell and 16 cartridges for 20-pounder rifle.

     April 18. — At daylight the rebels made an unsuccessful assault on Fort Gray, during which the U.S. [army] steamer Bombshell went up the river a short distance, but soon returned in a sinking condition; her bow was run on shore, and at 8 her stern sunk, the bow remaining out of water. At 12:30 p.m. proceeded down the Roanoke River and up the Cashie and the Thoroughfare till we came to the blockade near Roanoke River. Employed in getting up spiles from the blockade to make a passage through to the Roanoke River above the rebel batteries. At 4:30 p. m. sent a boat in charge of Acting Master’s Mate John Woodman to communicate with the Whitehead, at anchor in Roanoke River, about 7 miles above Plymouth. At 5:30 the boat returned from the Whitehead. Employed in dragging spiles out of the blockade in the Thoroughfare. At 7 p.m., to make sure that we had removed enough spiles, we passed through the channel made in the blockade, and at 7:30 started on our return to Plymouth by way of the Cashie River. At 9:45 arrived off Plymouth and communicated with the flag ship Miami. At 10:45 went alongside of the coal wharf and commenced coaling.

     April 19. — At 3 a.m. saw the flashes of musketry apparently around Fort Gray. Immediately after a shell passed over the fort from some vessel up the river. At 3:10 the rebel ram made her appearance, coming down the river. Immediately cast off from the wharf, went to quarters, and proceeded down the river to the flagship and communicated with her. The ram ran between the Miami and the Southfield, sinking the latter vessel, at which time this vessel drifted ashore, caused by a temporary disaster to the engine. While ashore the Miami and Whitehead passed us on their way down the river. As soon as the engine was in working order we backed off and up the river a short distance, when we picked up the Southfield’s gig, in which were 3 officers and 4 men who escaped from the Southfield when she went down. We then proceeded down the river and passed the Miami and kept her company to the mouth of the river. A 5:15 passed out of the Roanoke River, and in company with the Miami and Whitehead proceeded toward Edenton. At 7:45 the Miami anchored off Edenton. At 8:30 a.m. took on board the body of Lieutenant-Commander Flusser and the wounded from the Miami and proceeded toward Roanoke Island. At 7:30 p.m. got aground off Roanoke Island landing. Sent mails and dispatches on shore. At 9:30 got afloat and proceeded toward New Berne.

     April 20. — At 5 p. m., being in sight of New Berne, hoisted our number; answered by the Hetzel, which vessel then made signal 652. At 5:15 made fast to the Hetzel, sent the wounded officers of the Miami ashore to the hospital and the body of Lieutenant-Commander Flusser on board the Hetzel.