The Sinking of the Revenue Cutter Gallatin-- Part 2

The Charleston newspaper at the time reported: "We have to state a most melancholy occurrence which took place in our harbor this morning-- the blowing up of the revenue schooner Gallatin, commanded by Captain John Silliman.  She arrived here yesterday from Savannah and a cruise, and was anchored abreast of the City.

The confusion and distress which the accident occasioned, have prevented us from obtaining any correct information as to its cause, or to the number of persons who have suffered.  We have seen four of the unfortunate men who were picked up and who are lacerated and torn in a manner the most pitiable."

A year later, the March 31, 1814 Charleston newspaper reported that a diving bell had been built to help salvage ordnance and equipment from the Gallatin.  Also, it said that since the 1813 explosion, attempts had been made to raise the ship.

If they succeeded in recovering the cannons, I doubt that the current searchers are going to have much luck finding the wreck by looking for the cannons.

Hipe They Find It, Though.  --Brock-Perry

The Sinking of the Revenue Cutter Gallatin-- Part 1

From the U.S. Coast Guard Site, Gallatin 1807.  I wrote about this ship blowing up back on May 4th entry.

Named for Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin.  Cost $9,432 and commissioned 1807.  Bought December 7, 1807 and sent to Charleston for service as a revenue cutter.

On March 31, 1813, the Gallatin, under John H. Silliman arrived back at Charleston after a five-day cruise from Savannah.  They had noticed British ships off Port Royal, South Carolina.

On April 1st, at 11 AM, the crew was cleaning muskets when the powder room exploded and blew off the ship's stern and quarterdeck, killing three and seriously wounding five. The ship immediately sank off Blake's Wharf in Charleston harbor.  This wharf's location, unfortunately has been lost to time.  Had it still been there or its location known, it would have been much easier to locate the Gallatin.

Captain Silliman was ashore at the time.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Looking For Charleston's Revenue Cutter Gallatin

From the April 4, 2013, Charleston (SC) Post and Courier "Search for War of 1812 ship in Charleston Harbor ongoing."

Searchers have found some promising sites, but nothing definitive of the U.S. revenue Cutter Gallatin which exploded on the morning of April 1, 1813.  An official investigation of the incident determined it to be accidental.

News 4, ABC, says searchers are looking in the Ashley River and using a magnetometer. The ship had been tied up off a pier that no longer exists when it blew up.  They think a crew man was cleaning a musket and set off a spark that set off the ship's gunpowder.  The Gallatin had just returned from a five-day voyage when it happened.

Searchers hope to find the ship's cannons.

Hope They Find It.  --Brock-Perry