Hank,
I have some letters that I am just now pulling out and reading. One of them is headed USS Gladiolus, Morris Island, SC, September 12, 1864. That's what got me started on this project. I also have an old pair of binoculars that had leather wrapping when I was a little boy that has since fallen off. A wonderful very old book of Civil War naval history was lost to an estate sale when my Mom passed away. The stories I heard about my great grandparents when I was a kid revolved around their deaths. They were lost when their timber schooner sank in Lake Michigan circa 1890 when my Grandad was 3 or 4 years old. He was at home in Chicago with his Aunt at the time. It was she who raised him after his parents were killed. Another story was to the effect that the schooner sank in the locks at Sault Ste. Marie and my Great Grandma rushed to the top of the cabin and held Grandpa up as high as she could reach to keep him from drowning. The water in the lock wasn't very deep and she didn't get her feet wet. I have no idea if the sinking in the lock had any relationship to the later tragedy. I don't have any info at all about the name of the schooner, date of her loss, etc., so that's another project.
I think your sources about Gladiolus are better than mine. I haven't been able to find one with Sydney Byram's name and I have only sketchy details about her service. I'd appreciate any search tips you might feel like sharing. Thanks again,
Chuck