Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, October 15, 2011
1. Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon Marker (front)
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. Rouquies 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.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee and on Waccamaw Neck. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Town Clock / Kaminski Building (here, next to this marker); 631 Front Street (here, next to this marker); 633 Front Street (a few steps from this marker); Marquis de Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); The Rice Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); 632 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 637 Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Water Trough (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Photographed by Cindy Bullard, October 15, 2011
2. Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon Marker (reverse)
Photographed by Zach Marsh, April 8, 2012
3. 633 Front St. (Kaminski Building)
Wide view of the sinking of the Harvest Moon marker along with view of the Kaminski building described in the marker as being where the torpedo was built.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 11, 2013
4. Sinking Of The USS Harvest Moon Marker looking southeast along Front Street
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 2,534 times since then and 65 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.
