page_title: SS Arago (1855)
section_title: American Civil War
hierarchical_section_title: SS Arago (1855) / Service history / American Civil War
caption_attribution_description: English: View from the deck of the unarmed Army transport USS Arago during its seven hour chase and capture of the blockade runner Emma during the American Civil War. "The capture was one of the most unique exploits on the Atlantic Ocean during the war. It was accomplished through a "big bluff," resulting in a prize of 450,000 dollars."
context_page_description: The Arago was a wooden hulled, brig-rigged, sidewheel steamer built in 1855 by Westervelt & Sons at New York, New York. Chartered by the Union Army during the American Civil War for use as a troop transport and in operation with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron throughout the war, Arago was the ship that returned the United States flag to Fort Sumter in April 1865. Returned to transatlantic passenger and freight service after the Civil War, she was sold to the Peruvian government in 1869.
context_section_description: Between 1861 and 1865 it was chartered by the U. S. Department of War for use as an army transport, at a cost of 1,200 dollars per day. During 1861, prior to Captain Lines becoming president of the company, he and Captain Henry Gadsden alternatively commanded Arago.
  In November 1861, retired General Winfield Scott and newspaper publisher Thurlow Weed sailed to Europe in the Arago (Captain Lines in command). Advertised as a vacation tour, General Scott's visit was to secure French support should Great Britain fight against the Union. Shortly after they left New York, the USS San Jacinto intercepted the RMS Trent and removed two Confederate diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell, provoking what immediately became known as the Trent Affair. General Scott, after seeking counsel with Prince Bonaparte, cut short his visit by several months, and returned to New York after only 47 days. Prior to leaving Paris, General Scott signed a letter assuring the French and English governments that the action by San Jacinto's Captain, Charles Wilkes, was neither ordered nor approved by the government. General Scott's opportune timing and prompt action helped prevent war with Great Britain.
  In December, on her way to Southampton, there was some concern for her and her passengers' safety, as the Confederate privateer Nashville had sailed into that port two days prior to Arago's scheduled arrival. Given the Nashville had just boarded and burned the American merchant ship, Harvey Birch, many Americans feared the Arago and her celebrated passengers would suffer the same fate. Those fears proved to be unwarranted, and Arago returned home to New York by the end of that month.
  Captain Gadsden took full command of Arago soon thereafter, and remained in command throughout the end of the war, and immediately after.
  For a brief period between March and April 1862, the War Department transferred Arago's charter to the U.S. Navy Department, as ordered by Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, for "extra hazardous employment".  The Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia had rampaged Union ships at Hampton Roads, Virginia.  The steam ships Arago, Vanderbilt, Illinois and Ericsson, were ordered to Hampton Roads where, using their better speed and newly installed iron prows, were to ram the Virginia should she again put out to open water. The civilian crews of the Illinois and Arago were not informed of their suicide mission until their arrival in Hampton Roads.  Despite Captain Gadsden's efforts, many of the crew refused duty, left the ship and returned to New York. The remaining crew was augmented by naval officers and other civilians, including nine runaway slaves from Virginia who were employed as "coal heavers".  After the Virginia was scuttled to prevent her capture following the Confederate retreat from Norfolk, the Arago was removed from this duty and, with a civilian crew, returned to transporting troops and equipment for the Union army.
  On July 26, 1863 the Arago, filled to near capacity with wounded, sick, discharged and dead soldiers from the battles at Fort Sumter and Fort Wagner, including an ailing General George Crockett Strong, fell in behind an unknown ship off Wilmington, North Carolina.  After watching the ship speed up and drop cotton bales and other items over the side, Captain Gadsden, after consulting the military officers on board, gave chase.  After seven hours, Arago overtook the slower ship, leading to the capture of the Confederate blockade-runner Emma. Despite both ships having weapons aboard, not a shot was fired during the chase and subsequent capture.
  Arago continued in her troop, equipment and mail transport role through the end of the war.  On May 8, 1865, the Fort Sumter Flag, in its original Fort Sumter mail-bag (addressed "Major Anderson, Fort Sumter, April 14, 1865), was removed from its vault in New York's Bank of Commerce, and loaded aboard the Arago, along with Major General Robert Anderson, Sergeant Peter Hart, numerous dignitaries and their families.  Arago delivered the flag and its entourage to Fort Sumter where, four yea
caption: Artist's depiction of Arago capturing the blockade runner Emma, 1863
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