FREE WHITEWATER

Daily Bread for 10.27.11

Good morning –

It’s a chance of rain and a high temperature of around fifty-four for Whitewater today.

On this day in 1864, a Wisconsin resident did the Badger State proud:

1864 – Waukesha Soldier Sinks Confederate Ship

On this date William Cushing led an expedition to sink the Confederate ram, the Albermarle, which had imposed a blockade near Plymouth, North Carolina and had been sinking Union ships. Cushing’s plan was extremely dangerous and only he and one other soldier escaped drowning or capture. Cushing pulled very close to the Confederate ironclad and exploded a torpedo under it while under heavy fire. Cushing’s crew abandonded ship as it began to sink. The Albemarle also sunk. Cushing received a “letter of thanks” from Congress and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He died in 1874 due to ill health and is buried in the Naval Cemetery at Annapolis, Maryland. [Source: Badger Saints and Sinners by Fred L. Holmes, p.274-285 via Wisconsin Historical Society.]

Even from our vantage, the Albermarle looks formidable, I think:

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