answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The STAR OF THE WEST was a Confederate ship that was an unarmed civilian ship. It was a civilian ship in service to the Union when it was captured by Confederate cavalry while in dock at Galveston, TX. The Confederates used it as a tender for iron clad ships at the Yazoo River base. When Grant sent a river boat expedition down the Tallahatchie River to attack Vicksburg from the East, the Confederates built Fort Pemberton at Greenwood, MS to stop them. The STAR OF THE WEST was deliberately sunk in the river to block the Union river boats. The Confederates were successful in stopping the attack. The unique bit of its history is that this ship was hired by the US Government to send supplies and reinforcements to Fort Sumter, in the Charleston SC harbor. When it entered the harbor, cadets from the Citadel fired upon it from Fort Monroe, damaging its rudder. The STAR OF THE WEST returned to New York. This incident occurred on 9 January 1861---3 months before the start of the Civil War. [BTW the entry in Wikipedia is NOT correct for this ship.]

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What was unique about the ship Star of the West?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Military History

What Union ship resupplied Fort Sumter?

"Star of the West" , but this was a civilian ship .


What is the name of the biggest battle ship in World War 2?

West Virgina


During World War 2 lifejackets were nicknamed for what buxom star?

Mae West.


Where and when was the first shot of the civil war fired?

Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina. The South fired on the Union fort and started the war. Some claim that the first first shots were fired 3 months before the bombardment of Fort Sumter. On January 9th or 10th, 1861, Confederate batteries on Morris Island, manned by cadets from The Citadel, fired on the Union supply ship Star of the West. The Star of the West was attempting to resupply Union forces at Fort Sumter. Although the ship wasn't hit, Confederate forces were successful in driving the ship off. Shots were also fired by northern/union forces on January 8th, 1861, at Fort Barrancas (Pensacola, Florida) under the command of Lt. Adam J. Slemmer, firing at what were probably Alabama militia.


What is ship money English Civil War?

ship money is a tax that king Charles intruduced while he shut down parliament for 11 years. ship money was normally used to improve army in times of war. but there was no war then. and people had to pay it who had to drive miles to see the sea. Charles just wanted the money all to himself ,as parliament owned all the money and he had shut it down. people who refused to pay ship money was put into the star chamber!by eleanor ince:)hope i answered your question!

Related questions

What Union ship resupplied Fort Sumter?

"Star of the West" , but this was a civilian ship .


What happened to the US merchant ship Star of the West?

In January of 1861, the now famous merchant ship, Star of the West was headed south to bring supplies to Fort Sumter in the Charleston South Carolina harbor. The ship was turned back after receiving cannon fire from the military college of VMI on the Virginia coast. Later in April, the Star of the West was captured by the Confederates off the shore of Texas.


What was the purpose of the Union cargo ship called the Star of the West?

The Star of the West was the US cargo ship that President Buchanan sent to Fort Sumter to resupply the forts dwindling provisions. It was not trying to deliver weapons or reinforcements. When it reached the Charleston harbor, the Confederates fired upon it and the ship retreated. Later, in the US Civil War, the ship was captured by the Confederates in a port in Texas.


When did Star Ship happen?

Star Ship happened in 1977.


When was Star Ship created?

Star Shipping was created in 1961.


When was the cargo ship the Star of the West captured by the Confederacy?

The Confederate fleet was enlarged on April 17, 1861. Near Indianola, Texas, the Star of the West was captured. This was the vessel that had made an attempt to resupply Fort Sumter earlier in the the year.


When did New Star ship incident happen?

New Star ship incident happened in 2009.


What websites ship unique valentines gifts to Canada?

The website giftsnideas.com offers unique gifts that can ship worldwide. Also, sites like FTD.com can ship to Canada and specialize in mail order gifts.


What time was the fist gun shot in the American Civil War?

January 10, 1861. Fired by the South Carolinas at an Union ship named "Star of the West"


What kind of ship was RMS titanic?

a white star line ship


How you get in ship in Star Wars Battlefront?

press triangle when you are next to a ship


When was West Cornwall Steam Ship Company created?

West Cornwall Steam Ship Company was created in 1870.