St. Inigoes in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Disaster at Ragged Point

USS Tulip Boilers an Ongoing Problem During the War

By Allen C. Browne, November 23, 2011

1. Disaster at Ragged Point Marker

Inscription. Immediately after commissioning the Tulip experienced boiler problems. In August 1863, her boilers were building pressure to hazardous conditions and in mid-October, she was ordered to the Washington Navy Yard for boiler repairs. Steam drums were added to the boilers, which temporarily solved the problem. However , by August 1864 Tulip engineers Jeremiah Riddle and John Buckley reported their boiler unsafe and refused to fire them. They were suspended from duty and reassigned.

In November 1864, after months of conducting blockade duty with potentially hazardous boiler conditions, the Tulip was finally ordered to the Washington Navy Yard for another boiler repair. Her orders specified that she was to proceed up the Potomac River using only her port side boiler since the starboard (no. 2) boiler was defective.

While enroute to Washington, DC, acting Master William H. Smith steamed from St. Mary's River having decided to fire No. 2 boiler. He ordered the fires stoked when effectively out of signal distance from shore.

On November 11, 1864, at 1820 hours, a thundering explosion ripped apart Tulip's upper deck, flinging men in every direction. He bottom, cabin, and pilothouse were blown out and in minutes she sank into the Potomac. According to the paymaster's books, 49 of the 57 officers and men were missing.

By Allen C. Browne, November 23, 2011

2. Disaster at Ragged Point Marker

For several weeks after the disaster, bodies that were burned and mangled beyond recognition continued to wash up on shore. The remains of eight unidentified sailors were buried in a locust grove near here. Of the immediate survivors, two would succumb to their injuries, and at least two more were treated at the US General Hospital located at Point Lookout.

Casualties Remembered

Efforts to erect a monument began on September 15, 1927,when Captain J. M. Ellicott, grandson of C. M. Jones (the Civil War owner of Cross Manor) wrote to t he Secretary of Navy requesting a monument be placed near the grave site of eight unidentified sailors. On June 15, 1940 the monument was erected.

This exhibit was prepared by the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Public Works Department Natural Resources Branch and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Erected by the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Public Works Department Natural Resources Branch and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Location. 38° 9.729′ N, 76° 25.441′ W. Marker is in St. Inigoes, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Cross Manor Road. Touch for map. The marker is at the end of a grassy

Illustration by Barbara Stewart image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, November 23, 2011

3. Illustration by Barbara Stewart

lane running north from Cross Manor Road just east of the gates of Cornwaleys' Cross Manor. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Inigoes MD 20684, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Tulip Disaster (here, next to this marker); USS Tulip Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Union's Defense (a few steps from this marker); St. Ignatius Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); John LaFarge, S.J. (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Manor of Cornwaleys’ Cross (approx. 1.3 miles away); Mattapany Street (approx. 1½ miles away); Fear of War, People of Peace (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Inigoes.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This cluster of markers and monuments tell the story of the USS Tulip and the Potomac Flotilla.

Categories. • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels •

1940 Tulip Monument image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, November 23, 2011

4. 1940 Tulip Monument

List of Officers & Enlisted Men Lost due to the USS Tulip Disaster, November 11, 1864. image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, January 21, 2017

5. List of Officers & Enlisted Men Lost due to the USS Tulip Disaster, November 11, 1864.

Smith, Willam    Carroll James
Raffenburg, John    Colley John
Hammond, John    Wilson, George
Parks, George W.     O'Connell, William
Gordon, John    Bracken, James
Hemming, Charles    Watson, Thomas
McCormick, William    Conover, Richard
Jackson, James    Leary, James
Roberts, John    Peyser, David
Allison, John    Burke, Beverly
Nolan, John    Jefferson Robert
Porter, James    Warren Robert
Campbell, James    Brown, Benjamin
Pollock, Benjamin    Green, Frank
Johnston, Patrick H.     Fletcher, William
Holland, Michael    Diggs, John
Carter, Thomas    Talbot, Jules
Ruoff, Charless    Sterns, Charles
Johnston, Peter    Fitzhugh, Battle
Beatzin, Peter    Brooks, Noah
Beatzin, Peter    Bulger, James
Quinlan, Patrick     Smith ?
Robinson, James    Ireland, George
Niles, George H.    Burrell, FleetClose-up of sidebar on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2017. This page originally submitted on December 27, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 27, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 23, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.