How the Civil War Began, an April 1861 Timeline – April 3

On March 26, the merchant schooner *Rhoda H. Shannon* departed from Boston, carrying a shipment of ice destined for Savannah. However, on the afternoon of April 3, the vessel made a significant navigational error, which its captain attributed to faulty navigational equipment. This unfortunate misstep occurred “in the midst of a gale that had been blowing for several days,” creating treacherous conditions that left the harbor’s waters “white with foam.” The captain mistakenly identified the channel into Charleston Harbor as the entrance to Tybee Island, located at the mouth of the Savannah River. Following protocol, he raised the U.S. flag, signaling a request for a local pilot to safely guide the schooner into harbor. When no response came to his signal, he made the decision to navigate the ship himself.

Lt. Col. W. G. DeSaussure, the commander of the Confederate batteries on Morris Island, had strict orders to prevent any ship flying the U.S. flag from entering the harbor. As the *Rhoda H. Shannon* passed the island, DeSaussure’s troops fired several warning shots across the schooner’s bow, prompting the *Shannon* to drop anchor. A skiff was dispatched to assess any potential damage to the vessel or its crew, while an alarmed U.S. Maj. Robert Anderson from Fort Sumter did the same.

The ship’s master explained the situation to both Federal and Confederate representatives, who accepted his account and were relieved that no injuries had occurred and that the schooner remained undamaged. DeSaussure assured the *Shannon*'s captain that it could safely anchor outside the harbor’s bar until the severe weather subsided. Shortly thereafter, the *Shannon* headed back out to sea. DeSaussure reassured the citizens of Charleston that this incident was not an attempt to supply Fort Sumter but rather a merchant vessel that had lost its way. With the crisis averted, South Carolina ratified the Confederate Constitution by a vote of 114 to 16, and President Lincoln began devising a plan that would change the course of history.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s updates.

Sources:

Keller, Rudi. “150 Years Ago: Tensions Rise as Fort Sumter standoff continues,” Columbia Daily Tribune, April 3, 2011.

“The Rhoda H Shannon Incident.” American Civil War High Command.

“Civil War Naval History,” History Central.