South of Broad in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Seizure of the Planter

The Seizure of the <i>Planter</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 22, 2012

1. The Seizure of the Planter Marker

Inscription.    Early on May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls, an enslaved harbor pilot aboard the Planter, seized the 149-ft. Confederate transport from a wharf just east of here. He and six enslaved crewmen took the vessel before dawn when its captain, pilot, and engineer were ashore. Smalls guided the ship through the channel, past Fort Sumter, and out to sea, delivering it to the Federal fleet which was blockading the harbor.
(Reverse text)
   Northern and Southern newspapers called this feat "bold" and "daring." Smalls and his crew, a crewman on another ship, and eight other enslaved persons including Smalls' wife, Hanna, and three children, won their freedom by it.
   Smalls (1839-1915) was appointed captain of the Planter by a U.S. Army contract in 1853. A native of Beaufort, he was later a state legislator and then a five-term U.S. Congressman.

Erected 2012 by Historic Charleston Foundation and the African American Historical Alliance. (Marker Number 10-76.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1829.

Location. 32° 46.385′ N, 79° 55.637′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston

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County. It is in South of Broad. Marker is at the intersection of East Bay Street (U.S. 52) and Waterside (Harbor Seawall walkway), on the right when traveling north on East Bay Street. Located north of Water Street at the Historic Charleston Foundation. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 East Bay Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Site of Granville Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Walled City of Charles Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Section of parapet, or upper portion of the wall (within shouting distance of this marker); In Search of the Walled City (within shouting distance of this marker); 6 Water Street - Francis Saltus House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casper Christian Schutt House (about 300 feet away); Joseph Verree House (about 500 feet away); James Verree House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . . Robert Smalls, Wikipedia entry. Born in 1839 into slavery in a cabin behind the house of his master Henry McKee on 511 Prince Street in Beaufort, South Carolina. He grew up in the city under the influence of the Lowcountry Gullah culture of his mother. Smalls' mother, Lydia Polite, was a slave held by McKee (Submitted on December 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

The Seizure of the <i>Planter</i> Marker, reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 22, 2012

2. The Seizure of the Planter Marker, reverse side

Additional keywords. The Seizure of the Planter

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 8, 2013

3. The Seizure of the Planter Marker

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 8, 2013

4. The Seizure of the Planter Marker

The Seizure of the Planter Marker, looking north, along East Bay Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 22, 2012

5. The Seizure of the Planter Marker, looking north, along East Bay Street

The Seizure of the Planter Marker seen looking south, along the Harbor Seawall walkway,East Bay St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 22, 2012

6. The Seizure of the Planter Marker seen looking south, along the Harbor Seawall walkway,East Bay St.

Steamer "Planter" image. Click for full size.

Naval Historical Center

7. Steamer "Planter"

Smalls daring escape, he piloted the ship past the five Confederate forts which guarded the harbor, including Fort Sumter.

Robert Smalls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

8. Robert Smalls

His career as a freedman included service as a delegate to the 1868 and 1895 State Constitutional Conventions

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,111 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on December 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on March 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.