I've still another question. Capt.Charles Read mentions in his report on the sinking of his command, the McRae, that he carried ordnance stores "for the Forts below". Any knowledge out there if some of the stores were shells and charges for the Seacoast Mortars?
Some of the New Orleans constabulary volunteered to board and operate the pumps while the ship was still under fire. "Six feet of water in the hold", according to Read.