James Callahan (pilot)

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James Callahan
Born(1812-02-02)February 2, 1812
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
DiedJuly 27, 1889(1889-07-27) (aged 77)
Brooklyn, New York, US
OccupationMaritime pilot
Known forSandy Hook Pilot, owner and operator of the William Bell
Spouse(s)
  • Rebecca Hammond
  • Sarah Elizabeth Dent (1877)
  • Mary Dent (1885)
Children6

James Callahan (February 2, 1812 – July 27, 1889) was a 19th-century American New York Sandy Hook Pilot. He is well known for being one of the oldest Sandy Hook pilots, having served for 38 years. He was owner and operator of the William Bell that was captured and burned by the Confederate raiding steamer CSS Tallahassee during the American Civil War.

Early life[]

James Callahan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1812. He was the son of parents of Irish descent.[1] He married Rebecca Hammond (1815-1875) from Pennsylvania. They had six children. Rebecca died on January 8, 1875. Callahan became friends with pilot Robert Dent who had two sisters, Sarah and Mary Dent. On December 5, 1877, Callahan (65) married in Brooklyn, New York to his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Dent who was 54.[2] When Sarah died, Callahan, now 72, married his third wife, the sister Mary Dent, on August 11, 1885.[3]

Career[]

Callahan had a 38-year career as a New York Sandy Hook pilot. He started as a pilot in 1851.

On May 21, 1856, Callahan was questioned by New York Commissioners regarding the navigation of the New York Harbor. He said that he was, at that time, a Sandy Hook pilot for eleven years. He mentioned that the tides in the East River run faster since he was first appointed a pilot. He said that the tides have increased in the East River since the construction and extension of the docks and piers from the New York and Brooklyn shores. He talked about a dangerous rock off Jackson Street ferry in the East River on the New York side; and that Romer Shoal Light lighthouse should be placed on the south east point of Romer shoals so pilots could tell the commencement of the shoal.[4]

William Bell[]

Pilot Boat William Bell being chased by the Confederate privateer Tallahassee, August 12, 1864.
Confederate cruiser and blockade runner CSS Tallahassee.

Callahan was part owner of the pilot boat William Bell built in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, in 1864. The other owners were Joseph Henderson, John Van Deusen, and William Anderson.[5]

On August 11, 1864, the William Bell ventured too far out to sea and was captured and burned by the Confederate raiding steamer CSS Tallahassee during the American Civil War. The objective in capturing the vessel was to secure a pilot who would take the privateer Tallahassee through Hell Gate into Long Island Sound and set fire to the shipping ports on both sides. The William Bell was 70 miles east southeast of Sandy Hook, south of New York.[6][7][8]

In the book, "From Sandy Hook to 62", Charles Edward Russell, describes the chase of the Tallahassee cruiser against William Bell. The Confederate Colonel, John Taylor Wood, fired three shots at the William Bell and ordered Pilot Callahan to come on board the Tallahassee. He then ordered his men to go on board the pilot boat and remove everything that was movable and bring it on board the Tallahassee. Wood then ordered the William Bell to be burned. Wood said "Turpentine her and set her on fire."[9]

Callahan said: I felt sick to see that beautiful boat burned up, after being a great favorite and named after one of the best merchants in the city. In twenty minutes she was all in flames. [9]

The next day, Colonel Wood captured another vessel, the bark Suliote, of Belfast, Maine. Passengers from the William Bell and the burned packet ship Adriatic were transferred to the Suliote. James Callahan was ordered to pilot the Suliote into Sandy Hook, New York.[10]

Susquehanna[]

USS Susquehanna sidewheel steam frigate by Gutekunst, 1860s

On August 13, 1864, while on the bark Suliote, Callahan met up with the United States steamer Susquehanna, cruising for the privateer. The Susquehanna supplied Callahan and the passengers on the Suliote with bread.[10] On August 14, Callahan and the Suliote arrived in New York.[9]

Recommissioned on July 20, 1864, the Susquehanna was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the First Battle on Fort Fisher, on Christmas Eve 1864. Near the end of the American Civil War, on January 13, 1865, the United States Navy admiral, David Dixon Porter shifted fire to Fort Fisher itself. On January 17th, in the successful assault and capture, by the Union Army, Navy and Marine Corps at the second battle of Fort Fisher south of Wilmington, North Carolina, the U.S. frigate Susquehanna was under command of Rear Admiral Sylvanus William Godon. Gordan said that "James Callahan, coast pilot, whom I at all times found most servicable."[11] During the attack at Fort Fisher, Callahan was at the helm of the Susquehanna maneuvered the vessel to protect the crew from injury and guided the ship safely into port. The battle closed Wilmington, North Carolina, the Confederate States's last major port.[12]

Alabama Claims[]

The Geneva Board of Arbitration settling the Alabama Claims.

On February 23, 1883, Callahan successfully petitioned the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York via the Alabama Claims award, for compensation of the loss of the pilot boat William Bell during the Civil War. The case was called James Callahan v. The United States (No. 710).[13] Joseph Gutman, Jr. was the authorized Commissioner for the Alabama Claims Court that took the testimonies and depositions. Total claims filed were for $24,000, that included the loss of vessel and for the supplies.[14]

A deposition with Callahan was conducted on February 10, 1883, with his counsel and the counsel for the United States. In the deposition Callahan said that he was 70 years of age; lived in Brooklyn, New York; was a Sandy Hook pilot for 38 years; that he owned 5/16 of the William Bell and was captain of the boat. He was asked to recount the capture of the William Bell by Colonel John Taylor Wood, of the Confederate CSS Tallahassee.[15]

The final award was made on June 5, 1883, that gave compensation of $9,289.59 to James Callahan, $9,410.14, who owned 5/16 shares and Henderson (see Joseph Henderson v. United States), who owned 5/16 shares in the William Bell, for a total award of $18,699.73. Although, this was less than the $24,000.00 amount claimed, it was a reasonable settlement.[16][17]

Death[]

Captain James Callahan died on July 7, 1889, at the age of 78 at his residence, 321 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. His funeral was attended by his friends and associates of the New York and Sandy Hook pilots. He was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.[18][19] An ad appeared in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle for anyone having claims against James Callahan to contact the executors of his estate, William J. Callahan, Elizabeth G. Callahan and Rebecca J. Callahan.[20][21]

See also[]

  • List of pilot boats and pilots

References[]

  1. ^ "United States Census, 1880". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  2. ^ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  3. ^ "A Real Romance. A Remarkable Event In South Brooklyn". The Brooklyn Union. Brooklyn, New York. 16 Aug 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  4. ^ "In Senate, Jan 29, 1857". p. 306. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  5. ^ "Launch Of A Pilot Boat Wm. Bell". New York Daily Herald. 11 Jan 1864. p. 5. Retrieved 4 Aug 2021.
  6. ^ Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations. p. 13.
  7. ^ Bell, John (28 Oct 2002). Confederate Seadog John Taylor Wood in War and Exile. New York: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 34.
  8. ^ "Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine". Volume 56. Chicago: Scribner & Company. 1898: 411. Cite journal requires |journal= (help); |volume= has extra text (help)
  9. ^ a b c From Sandy Hook to 62°], Charles Edward Russell. Century Co., New York. 1929. pp. 137–142. OCLC 3804485.
  10. ^ a b "The Tallahassee. More Captures by the Privateer. Pilot boat Wm. Bell, No. 23, Burned". New York Daily Herald. 15 Aug 1864. p. 5. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  11. ^ "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies of the War of the Rebellion". Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1900. p. 524. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  12. ^ "One Of Porter's Heroes: James Callahan, New York Coast Pilot". The Soldier's Casket. Volume 1. Philadelphia: C. W. Alexander. 1865. p. 92. Retrieved 2020-08-08. |volume= has extra text (help)
  13. ^ "James Callahan vs. The United States". United States. Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. 15 February 1883. p. 271. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Correspondence concerning claims against Great Britain, transmitted to the Senate of the United States in answer to the resolution of December 4 and 10, 1867, and of May 27, 1868". Washington, Govt. print. off., 1869–71. 23 February 1883. p. 398. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Deposition of James Callahan". United States. Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. February 23, 1883. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2021 – via babel.hathitrust.org.
  16. ^ "The William Bell, a New York Pilot Boat, by Craig, Hardin, Jr". The Log of Mystic Seaport, Volumes 19-21. 1967. pp. 15–17. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  17. ^ "United States Congressional Serial Set. Accounts of Treasurer of United States, 1885". Washington, D.C.: United States Congress. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Captain James Callahan". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1889-07-29. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  19. ^ "James Callahan". Find a Grave. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "In Pursuance Of An Order Of The". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1890-10-03. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  21. ^ "New York, Kings County Estate Files, 1866-1923". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

External links[]

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