Unveiling the Legendary Feat: William Cushing And The Daring Raid To Sink The Ironclad CSS Albemarle

Deep in the heart of Civil War America, amidst the chaos and bloodshed, a group of daring young men set out on a mission that would forever etch their names into history. Led by the fearless and audacious Lieutenant William B. Cushing, this brave band of Union sailors embarked on an extraordinary raid to sink the impregnable ironclad CSS Albemarle.

The CSS Albemarle, a formidable Confederate vessel, dominated the waters surrounding northeastern North Carolina, posing a significant threat to Union forces. This ironclad behemoth had to be taken down, and Cushing was chosen for the monumental task.

The Rise of the Confederate Ironclad

The year was 1864, and the Union Navy had been facing a formidable enemy in the form of the Confederate Navy's new secret weapon – ironclad warships. These vessels, covered in thick iron plating, could resist most artillery projectiles, rendering wooden Union ships vulnerable and ineffective.

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

by Jerome Preisler(Kindle Edition)

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

One such Confederate ironclad was the CSS Albemarle, an imposing and nearly invulnerable warship that had wreaked havoc on Union forces in the rivers and sounds of North Carolina. This seemingly indestructible vessel posed a direct threat to the Union's blockade efforts and the safe navigation of these crucial waterways.

A Daring Plan Takes Shape

Recognizing the strategic importance of disabling the CSS Albemarle, the Union Navy devised a daring plan to sink it. Lieutenant William Cushing, then only 21 years old, was hand-picked for this audacious mission.

Cushing, known for his relentless courage and exceptional leadership skills, eagerly embraced the challenge. He assembled a small team of volunteers, selecting men who possessed the same spirit of audacity and willingness to undertake the impossible.

The plan was audacious, to say the least. Cushing and his men would approach the ironclad under the cover of darkness using a small steam launch fitted with a spar torpedo. This crude but lethal weapon was essentially a mine attached to the end of a long pole.

Cloaked in secrecy, Cushing and his team set out on the night of October 27, 1864.

“The Very Monster I Wish to Attack”

As the small launch made its way towards the heavily guarded CSS Albemarle, Cushing's heart pounded with a combination of excitement and apprehension. The slightest miscalculation could have disastrous consequences.

Undeterred, the fearless lieutenant advanced towards the iron monster he described as "the very monster I wish to attack." Cushing had resolved to destroy the Albemarle since he first laid eyes on her, and now was his chance to make history.

The night was dark, and silence enveloped the water. Inch by inch, the small vessel closed in on its target. Cushing steered his men with an unwavering determination, navigating through floating barriers and eluding Confederate patrols.

A Fierce Clash in the Dark

As the tiny launch approached within striking range of the Albemarle, Cushing ordered the spar torpedo to be deployed. The crew maneuvered the pole with utmost precision, inching closer to their target.

Suddenly, disaster struck.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the torpedo became entangled in an underwater obstruction, preventing Cushing from making a direct hit on the Albemarle's hull. Undeterred, he ordered his men to retreat hastily while attempting to detonate the mine manually.

In a desperate struggle against time, Cushing managed to trigger the explosion, causing a tremendous blast that ripped through the water. The Albemarle shuddered, its steely shell pierced by the unleashed fury of war.

A Hero's Escape

The blast sent shockwaves throughout the Confederate ship, creating a momentary chaos and confusion among its crew. Amidst the chaos, Cushing, injured and with a shattered eardrum, leaped into the water for his daring escape.

The CSS Albemarle succumbed to the relentless forces of nature and the audacity of one man. The seemingly unconquerable ironclad was sent to the depths, leaving a lasting testament to the indomitable spirit of Lieutenant William B. Cushing and his men.

An Enduring Legacy

The audacious raid on the CSS Albemarle marked the turning point in the battle for control of the waterways in northeastern North Carolina. William Cushing's extraordinary feat solidified his place in history as one of the most daring naval officers of his time.

Though the war continued for several more months, the sinking of the Albemarle dealt a devastating blow to Confederate naval supremacy in the region. The fearless raid significantly weakened their position, allowing Union forces to regain control and ultimately hastening the end of the Civil War.

The legacy of William Cushing lives on as a testament to the unwavering courage and audacity of those who go beyond the call of duty. The daring raid on the CSS Albemarle remains a shining example of triumph against all odds and a reminder that true heroes are not confined to the pages of history books.

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

by Jerome Preisler(Kindle Edition)

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

Civil War Ironclads and Commandos

Here at last is an action-packed portrait of one of America’s greatest but little-remembered Civil War heroes, Commander William Barker Cushing, who sank the Confederate ironclad Albemarle in a spectacular mission in 1864.

Regarded as erratic and insubordinate, Midshipman Cushing was drummed out of the Naval Academy in March 1861. But with the outbreak of war, the Union needed every trained officer it could find— and whatever his flaws, Cushing was an extremely talented naval officer. Ferocious, uncompromising, courageous, and loyal, he became a U.S. Navy commando and at the age of twenty-one was sent to destroy the South’s ultimate naval weapon—the Albemarle, an unsinkable vessel with a devastating iron ram.

This death-defying mission succeeded in sinking the Albemarle, helped reelect President Abraham Lincoln, and earned Cushing a hero’s grave in the Naval Academy’s cemetery.

Here is that story, told with all the verve and drama it deserves, shining new light on one of the most important naval encounters of the war. Civil War Commando is a masterpiece of naval history that reads like a thriller and gives a neglected hero his due.