Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon
In early 1865 the USS Harvest Moon, a 193-foot, 5-gun side-wheel steamer, was the flagship of Adm. John A. Dahlgren of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, U.S. Navy. It arrived off Georgetown and anchored nearby on February 26th. Confederate Capt. Thomas W. Daggett, in charge of coastal defenses from Little River to Georgetown, made plans to sink the Harvest Moon with a “torpedo,” or mine.
(Reverse)
Daggett, working on the 2nd floor of S.W. Rouquie’s store here at 633 Front Street, built a keg torpedo and floated it out as the Harvest Moon steamed down the bay early on March 1, 1865. The blast blew a hole in the starboard quarter and main deck, and the ship sank in five minutes, with only one sailor killed. The smokestack of the Harvest Moon can still be seen at low tide in Winyah Bay, near Battery White.
Erected 2011 by the Arthur M. Manigault Chapter #63, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Battery White Camp #1568, Sons of Confederate Veterans. (Marker Number 22-58.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1917.
Location. 33° 21.923′ N, 79° 16.932′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. Marker is on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 633 Front Street, Georgetown SC 29440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Town Clock / Kaminski Building (here, next to this marker); Marquis de Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); The Rice Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); South Carolina’s Third Oldest City (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice is King (within shouting distance of this marker); 718 Front Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 724 Front Street (about 400 feet away); 726 Front Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2011, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,490 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2011, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. 3. submitted on June 2, 2012, by Zach Marsh of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.