Screwpiles: The Forgotten Lighthouses

Confederates Seize U.S. Lighthouse Tender Buchanan The screwpile lighthouses on the James River had only been in place since 1855 and marked the channel to Richmond. One day before Lincoln issued the blockade proclamation, a Confederate steamer captured a U.S. lighthouse tender on the James River below Richmond. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies include communications between ship commanders and the secretary of the navy. The following letters and reports come from Record Group hard copy collections and newspaper articles of the time. 28 Report: April 19, 1861 – Lighthouse Tender Buchanan seized! Commanding a company of Virginia troops, of the light-house tender (schooner) Buchanan under his command. 29 SIR: I have the painful duty to inform you that on Thursday morning, 18 th instant, while in execution of my duty as light-house inspector of the Fifth district, I was unexpectedly boarded in James River by a steamer from Richmond with a military company on board, and being unprepared for an attack I was compelled to surrender myself and vessel to Major Bridgford, acting under the authority of the State of Virginia. On being taken to Richmond I was sent for by the governor of the State, who directed Major Bridgford to give me a receipt for the vessel and released me on parole not to serve in arms against the State of Virginia. As it was very important that I should get to Norfolk immediately. I complied with his demand. Report of Commander McIntosh, U.S. Navy, of the seizure by Major Bridgford,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant Charles F. McIntosh Commander, U.S. Navy

Extinguishing the Lights The strategy of extinguishing southern coastal and river lighthouses proved effective. The Union Navy lost more boats and ships to groundings than in actual battle. “April 1861, the lights of Cape Henry and Cape Charles and all those on the seaward side of Hampton Roads were extinguished by volunteers from the seaside counties of Virginia except for the Willoughby Spit light-ship, which was only kept burning under a guard from the sloop-of-war Cumberland.” 30

1861 map Library of Congress

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